Musician Dom Lenarduzzi with Taleah Naomi.
Last Sunday Young Hearts Tattoo celebrated its second birthday with a flash sale. For shop owner Taleah Naomi, the two-year anniversary of opening her own tattoo studio in the town of Young marks more than just a business milestone it’s the culmination of a dream, years of grit, and a connection with a community she now calls home.
“It was massive. It was a really, really good day,” Taleah said “I’ve been planning it for months. We do two big flash days a year our birthday and the Cherry Festival but this one topped everything. I had the most artists I’ve ever had in the shop at once. I even had to tattoo out the back because we were packed wall to wall.”
Originally from outside the region, Taleah took a leap of faith in 2022, deciding to bring her tattooing expertise honed over a decade and across various expos where she’s picked up multiple awards to a town with no dedicated tattoo studio.
“I wasn’t local, so it was a big risk. But I’d done some guest work in towns around here and just fell in love with the people,” she said. “There wasn’t a tattoo shop in Young at the time, and I thought, if I’m ever going to open my own place, this is it.”
From her grand opening in July 2022, the response was immediate and overwhelming. “I remember doing a few Facebook posts and letting my clients know we were opening, and people I didn’t even know same down to support us,” she said.
“Right away I knew this was going to be something special.” Two years on, Young Hearts Tattoo has grown beyond Taleah’s wildest expectations. Booked out months in advance with appointments now rolling into February next year. Taleah has welcomed award-winning guest artists from all over the country to meet demand and share their art with a grateful regional clientele.
“It’s kind of taken on a life of its own,” she laughed. “I’ve almost lost control of it, in the best way. I’ve only got one set of hands, so bringing in guest artists has been essential.”
That guest artist model has not only expanded what the shop can offer it’s also created opportunity for artists from across Australia who are finding it increasingly hard to stand out in oversaturated city markets.
“A few years ago, licensing changes made it easier to become a tattoo artist, and now cities like Sydney and the Gold Coast are flooded with studios,” Taleah explained.
“Some of these top-tier artists were struggling to get work and they’re seeing how busy we are out here. Now, they’re asking to come back again and again. They love it.”
The second birthday bash drew clients not only from Young, but surrounding towns as far as Cootamundra and Cowra. Some were repeat customers, others first-timers, and many had been eagerly lining up since 7 am, two hours before doors even opened.
“It’s that kind of community support that keeps us going,” Taleah said.
“I’m a single mum and I worked hard to save the funds to open this studio. This isn’t just a business it’s my passion. I think people feel that when they come in. It’s not about just making money. It’s about connection, trust, and giving people art that means something to them.”
Part of what’s made Young Hearts thrive is Taleah’s commitment to community. From cross-promoting other local businesses on social media to letterbox drops and radio ads, she’s focused on making her studio a positive part of Young’s small business ecosystem.
“People talk a lot about ‘shop local’ and we live that,” she said. “We support others and they support us. “That’s how it should be.”
As she moves into her third year in business, Taleah says the growth isn’t slowing down if anything, she’s now navigating how to manage the over-whelming demand while maintaining the personalised service Young Hearts is known for.
“I never thought it would get this big, this fast,” she said. “But I’m so proud of what we’ve built. I didn’t come out here hoping for a market I came out with a dream, a work ethic, and love for what I do.”
– Liam Stuart
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