CNN iReport

There has been lots of debates whether our country is slowing coming out of the recession. How has the last two years effected small business owners? Are things getting better or worse? I decided to go and ask a small business owner, Guy Danials, who family owns Expressions Ink, a tattoo studio in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin. This was a business that depended on the “extras” left over from their customers budgets and living expenses to stay afloat.

The tattoo field is an interesting one. As a retired tattooist I knew a thing or two about keeping the shop doors open in this business. When the economy went south we were concerned if Guy and his wife Becki would be able to keep their doors open. Our family had sold the business to the Daniels in 2006 and we were concerned about our friends. The area here took a good punch from job losses in manufacturing and production. Last winter pink slips were handed out to hundreds in this part of the state. Probably no different than most towns big and small across our nation. Was the economy improving any since last winter?

I decided to visit Expressions Ink and interview Guy about it. This is the interview. The last question I asked jason Duir what his definition of hope was. Caught him off balance a little with the question.

Ink isn't for everyone. If you have thoughts about having work done do your homework on the shop. Talk to the artists and make sure you want what you want, and where you want it, very carefully! As a person who is having some lasered off I know. lol

Visit Expressions Ink to learn more.