SD: What do you feel is your biggest contribution to the industry as a whole?
JV: I do quite a bit of volunteering with the Association of Professional
Piercers (APP). I have been on the membership committee since the
inception which has been about seven years now, I believe. I was part of
the outreach committee for a couple years. I have also volunteered my time
teaching various classes at the annual APP Conference for the past six
years.
SD: What would you say you are most known for in the industry and in your
place of business?
JV: I think that my peers know I have an open door and am willing to let
them come hang out, watch me pierce, and ask what ever questions they
have. I have had quite a few piercers take me up on that.
SD: What do you love about teaching other piercers?
JV: One of my favorite things about teaching is progress. At APP, we teach
people from all over the world. Knowing they learned something and taking
it back to their area, making changes, and bettering themselves and our
industry is a great thing.
SD: How long have you been involved with APP and what made you want to
join the organization?
JV: I have been a member of the APP for eight years now. I always said
I wanted to be a member, I went to conference yearly, and it is the only
organization we have as professional piercers. My shop and the jewelry we
carry, have always met criteria, but one time Rick Frueh, the only member in
Illinois at the time, called me and asked how far Joliet was from my studio.
When I told him about thirty minutes, he responded with, "well, I had two
kids drive nearly three hours to my studio because I'm the only member in
Illinois." I sent in my application shortly after.
SD: Where would you like to be in five years (pertaining to life and
business)?
JV: I am pretty happy with my life at the present time, but over the next few
years, I hope Native Rituals keeps growing as it has been over the years. I
want to continue guest piercing, and educating people on safe piercing as
well. I do, however, have a couple things I am currently working on that will
be shared when the time is right.
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