Thoughts

WordPress page from tedderfamilytattooing.com: "Lauren Tedder" (https://tedderfamilytattooing.com/lauren-tedder/) Lauren Tedder: Traditional Americana, Dotwork, Fineline. Lauren Tedder grew up in a tattoo shop. Her father, Jeff Cohen, founded The Custom Tattoo Company in Havelock, North Carolina, in 1983. While other kids grew up around offices or classrooms, Lauren grew up around machines, flash, and the steady rhythm of a working tattoo studio. That upbringing gave her something that can't be taught in an apprenticeship: an intuitive understanding of what a tattoo shop is supposed to feel like, how it runs, what the standards are. Lauren's career took her beyond Havelock before it brought her back. She worked at Bulldog Tattoo in Corsica, France, and at Thunderbolt Tattoo in Atlanta, Georgia. Both experiences sharpened her technical ability and broadened her perspective. Working in different shops, under different conditions, with different clientele develops range. Her specialties span Traditional Americana, Dotwork, and Fineline. The Traditional work connects her to the same lineage her father practiced. The Dotwork and Fineline reflect a precision and patience that define her personal approach. Lauren's work is deliberate. Every dot, every line, every decision serves the piece. When Jeff passed away in October 2018, Lauren returned to The Custom Tattoo Company. She and Dave took the shop forward together. For Lauren, the return was personal in a way that goes beyond business. This was her father's shop. Running it is an act of continuation, not just commerce. Today, Lauren co-owns The Custom Tattoo Company with Dave. She handles the business operations alongside her own tattooing practice.