Xclusive Ink Celebrates Nine Years in CT

When Xavier Sedaris, owner of Xclusive Ink Tattoo, decided to paint a family tree on the wall of his tattoo shop, he had more than art in mind. Now celebrating the nine-year anniversary of the business and its expansion from a single studio in Connecticut to three high-end locations (Rocky Hill, Farmington, and Wallingford), the tree has become both a metaphor and a monument. It’s a testament to the power of growing relationships.

The Family Initiative

Following the initiation of getting inked at XI, guests are encouraged to sign the tree. “Our staff truly is family, and we wanted to invite our clients to become a part of that as well,” Xavier said.
“Getting a tattoo, whether it’s your first one or the fiftieth, is special. We take that seriously, and we want people to know it’s an honor for us as artists to have that responsibility.”

Xavier and the team are privy to many personal stories, as tattoos often have sentimental value, representing important milestones, lost loved ones, life challenges, spiritual beliefs and more. Good tattoo artists, he notes, must continually improve their craft but always be humble enough to cultivate and maintain the sacred trust of their clients. “Trust is the foundation,” he said.

While success is often measured by total sales or annual revenue, Xavier sees it on a granular level. One positive client relationship after another eventually adds up to an audience. Xclusive Ink Tattoo has nearly 24,000 Instagram followers to date— connections they’ve fostered around personal engagement and individual customer interactions.

“Everyone who walks in the doors is a potential client for life,” Xavier said. “We strive to make every tattoo the best one we’ve ever done.”

Investing in Outreach

Last year, Xclusive Ink worked with a local college to recruit students graduating from fine arts or adjacent programs. The company offered select candidates a comprehensive apprenticeship under the guidance of their seasoned artists. The program allowed students to circumvent educational fees and gain access to a career immediately. Similar tattoo programs currently cost $10,000 or more, which may be prohibitive to some individuals.
“We see it as an investment,” Xavier said. “I started it to expand the family and bring more diversity to the team. I wasn’t looking for established tattooists; I wanted people with fresh passion and drive—artists who were eager to learn the Xclusive Ink way, and not fixated on their own methodology.”

Employee Rewards Encourage Excellence

(Above pictured: Female staff members being honored on International Women's Day, March 8, 2024)

Finding innovative ways to attract and expand a dedicated team is one branch of business planning, Xavier notes. Motivating and rewarding existing members is another. Towards that effort, the staff recognize individual excellence through the Artist of The Month contest, which allows peers to anonymously evaluate and praise one another. The prize is an elaborate trophy and other kudos from the XI family. The ceremonies are held during monthly meetings during which artists and managers talk shop and share ideas.

“Having skill and talent is one thing, but we want to highlight other significant aspects of the job, such as dedication and drive,” Xavier said. “How we treat each other is just as important as how we treat our clients, and it makes a difference in the atmosphere and vibe of our shops.”

Looking back on nine years, Xclusive Ink Tattoo celebrates the bonds that began with the family tree, and the growth that’s yet to come. Their spa-like tattoo shops are located in Rocky Hill, Farmington and Wallingford, CT. Artists' portfolios and additional information can be found at XclusiveInkTattoo.com.