Meet Mondo Salazar Aguayo

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mondo Salazar Aguayo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mondo, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
In 2022, I had the fortunate opportunity to take over a tattoo shop in Fullerton. At the time, I was comfortable. I had been tattooing for over 10 years and had years of experience in tattoo shops and was currently enjoying my time at a private studio.

I could have stayed in a private studio for the rest of my life and been more than happy. However, there was a part of me that knew if I did not take the chance at owning my own shop I would eventually regret it. So, in a way, it was an easy decision to make.

I opened Fullerton Ink House in January 2023. After two months of owning the shop, we found out that not only did the previous owner not have the right business license, the shop could not be permitted by the city as a tattoo parlor.  From what seemed like one day to the next, code enforcement visited and began threatening and issuing enormous fines and said they would shut us down for business.

I had 4 artists working for me at the time and I felt responsible for them and their well-being. After all, we all had families to feed.

It was a very stressful time. Because I feared I would be shut down from one day to the next, I started looking for another shop. I found an amazing shop in Anaheim. I put my notice to vacate at the Fullerton Shop, ready to accept that I would not be able to continue business. At the time, I felt like I took a chance with Fullerton Ink House and failed.

We emptied the Fullerton shop and a week before handing over the keys, I got a call from the Mayor.  Someone had informed him of the issues we were having. He told me he could help. He stopped the outstanding fines until the city could hear our concerns.

Although I was happy, I had to ask myself did I really want to run two tattoo shops? HELL NO.

But,  I didn’t have a choice. I had already signed the lease agreement for the Anaheim shop. Now, almost one year later, the City of Fullerton was finally able to issue us a permit and business license. In fact, my issues caused the City of Fullerton to re-evaluate the archaic restraints that they had placed on tattoo parlors.

Well, I now own two shops, Fullerton Ink House in Fullerton, CA, and Social Ink House in Stanton/ Anaheim, CA.

I now have 14 amazing Artists and things are great. I took a risk, but I was prepared for the outcome because I knew I had put in the work I had a ton of shop experience. I was ready for anything.

Moving forward, I don’t know what will happen but whatever it is, if I feel ready. I will continue to move forward in every possible way and chance that I can.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was repeatedly told that I could not be a professional tattoo artist. I think people believe that the profession, while unconventional, was not adequate enough to provide for a family or oneself. In the beginning, I believed that too. I spent too many wasted years trying to find a “regular” job to put a roof over my head and food on my table. I listened to so many people tell me that I could not make it as a tattoo artist. Once I stopped listening, I felt like I had the absolute freedom to pursue my dreams. I went all in.

I am passionate about what I do. I have had all my equipment stolen. I have been homeless. It was not easy by any means, but I never gave up. I continued to tell myself that my story was not over. I took each day – one day at a time.

When I took over my first tattoo shop, Fullerton Ink House, I knew there was a risk. But I knew after everything I had already been through, I was prepared.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite breakfast spots in the OC are Early Bird in Fullerton, Avalon Bagels in Placentia, and if it’s Sunday brunch, Kobe’s Steakhouse to see an amazing Beatles tribute band. Downtown Fullerton is one of my favorite spots to hang too. Hidalgos or Mulberry st. are my go to spots. My favorite dive bar is Sunset Lounge. Orange County is saturated with amazing eateries.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I must give a huge shoutout to my wife, Nicole Aguayo. If I did not have her I would not be able to run both businesses so successfully. We have been together for over 12 years and she is the most supportive person in my life. She remains the backbone of the shops and of our family.

On top of helping me run both shops, she is an AMAZING mother, and I feel incredibly blessed to have her in my life.

Website: www.mellowmoodstattoo.com

Instagram: @mellowmoodstattoo

Image Credits
Photographer is Raven Kendall @kendallgrovephoto