Ink, Identity, and Inspiration at 5 Aces Tattoo

Inside a Las Vegas tattoo and piercing studio where artistry, community, and authenticity meet.

The walls of 5 Aces Tattoo are alive with color. Hand-painted murals stretch across the shop, bold lines and vibrant shades blending into a visual symphony that tells the story of the people behind it. Customers often stop mid-step, their first words not about their tattoo or piercing appointment, but about the art that surrounds them. “Who did this?” they ask, surprised to learn that every stroke came from the very artists who work there.

For Desiree Scott, piercing artist and permanent makeup specialist at 5 Aces, that moment of connection never gets old. It is proof that this shop is not just another stop in a city full of neon. It is a living gallery, a community hub, and for her, a dream realized through faith, grit, and love for the craft.

From Backyard Studios to a Thriving Tattoo Home

The story of 5 Aces Tattoo began long before its doors officially opened on the east side of Las Vegas. The shop’s founder, known to friends and clients as Herms, was an artist from the start. “He never had a job in his life,” Desiree explained with admiration. “He’s always just had that self-employment mentality. He’s been an artist since he came out of the wound.”

Herms built his career working at shop after shop, gathering experience while sketching and inking clients in a studio he set up in his parents’ backyard. But he wanted more than a rotating chair. He wanted a permanent home for his artistry and for a community of creators who shared his vision.

All it took was the right people, the right clientele, and a belief that the dream was worth building. When Herms found that foundation, Desiree was by his side. Together with a handful of others, they opened 5 Aces Tattoo in a space that, at the time, was little more than dirt and rocks. “It was totally renovated and customized to our liking,” Desiree recalled. “We built it from the ground up to make sure clients felt welcome, comfortable, and cared for.”

What started with five artists has now doubled to ten, and the shop hums with energy, creativity, and laughter every day.

Believing in Yourself When the Path is Uncertain

Desiree’s own journey into self-employment was one built on courage. Like many, she knew the grind of a traditional nine-to-five, the feeling of working long hours only to line someone else’s pockets. At some point, she decided her passion deserved her time more than anyone else’s business.

“You sit there waking up, going to a nine-to-five every day, and then you’re busting your butt to get someone else paid,” she said. “At some point, you’re like, hold on, I have something I really love to do. Why am I not investing my time into myself instead of somebody else?”

That leap of faith, she admits, was intimidating. She had no idea if piercing and permanent makeup could support her financially, let alone become a steady career. But Desiree believed in herself, and she learned quickly that belief was the key ingredient to building a business. “People fail when they don’t try,” she explained. “If you believe in yourself, the world will believe in you.”

The Art of Consistency and Connection

Of course, passion alone is not enough. Desiree is honest about the challenges of the tattoo and piercing industry. Many people assume shops are busy from dawn to dusk, phones ringing endlessly, clients lining up at the door. The reality, she says, is different. Success depends on effort, visibility, and consistency.

“Social media is huge nowadays,” she said. “People want to see you for you. They want to see your personality. You need to put yourself out there.”

That means filming not only the intricate process of tattooing and piercing but also the behind-the-scenes tasks, even the mundane. “We don’t talk about it, but people want to see that too,” Desiree laughed. “They want to see you mop the floors, because that shows you care about the space you work in. And we do. This shop is our second home, and we take pride in it.”

Every artist at 5 Aces carries that same pride. From designing complex custom pieces to ensuring the shop is spotless, they approach their craft with humility and heart.

A Studio Built on Heart and Hustle

Step inside 5 Aces Tattoo and you will immediately feel the difference. The walls are decorated with original artwork, each piece created by the very artists who welcome you at the door. There is no mass-produced décor here, only authentic expressions of the talent within.

Clients often leave not only with a tattoo or piercing, but with an experience they are eager to share. Word of mouth, more than anything, fuels the shop’s growth. “People will come in and say, ‘So-and-so told me I had to come to you because you’re the best,’” Desiree said. “That’s the biggest compliment we can get.”

The shop also invests back into the community, hosting events for occasions like Friday the 13th or Mexican Independence Day, and offering discounted tattoos that open the door for first-timers. “That $50 tattoo might not make us much right then,” Desiree explained, “but it could turn into a thousand-dollar piece later. More importantly, it gives someone a positive first experience they will never forget.”

A Team of Artists, Not Just Tattooists

What truly sets 5 Aces apart is the breadth of its artistry. Each member of the team is more than just a technician; they are artists with specialties and passions that span the full spectrum of tattoo and piercing work.

“We can finally say we specialize in everything,” Desiree shared proudly. “We have black and gray realism, neo-traditional, fine line, lettering, traditional, permanent makeup, piercings, brows, you name it. Whatever you’re thinking of getting, someone here not only does it, but crushes it.”

That dedication shows in the way artists prepare for clients, often spending days perfecting designs before ever touching a needle to skin. The result is a shop where customers can walk in with an idea and leave with something far beyond what they imagined.

Why Las Vegas Roots for 5 Aces

Las Vegas is a city of reinvention, a place where creativity thrives for those bold enough to put themselves out there. Desiree believes that spirit is what makes 5 Aces Tattoo possible. “This is a city of growth and opportunity,” she said. “If you believe in yourself out here, you can make it work.”

The shop has become more than a business. It is a place where people find belonging, where they are listened to, respected, and celebrated for their individuality. It is a reminder that artistry and community can coexist, and that sometimes, the most meaningful experiences begin with a single line of ink.

Looking Ahead with Passion and Gratitude

The future of 5 Aces Tattoo is steady growth, but never at the expense of what makes the shop special. They will continue to add talented artists, host events that bring people together, and nurture the sense of family that keeps both staff and clients coming back.

For anyone considering their first tattoo, a new piercing, or even something as personal as permanent makeup, Desiree offers a heartfelt promise: “Coming here, you will 100% get what you expected to get, if not even better.”

To experience the artistry and energy of 5 Aces Tattoo, visit www.5acestattoo.com or connect on social media through Instagram at @5acestattoo and Facebook at 5 Aces Tattoo for the latest updates, events, and new work from their talented artists.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.