Convention Connection: Alli Johnson and Jessie Hopeless Built a Tattoo Shop You Can’t Find
Hopeless Collective doesn’t have a sign. It’s tucked into an alley in Kansas City’s Crossroads neighborhood. Its two Tattoo Artists, Alli Johnson and Jessie Hopeless, take one client a day each, and only for big, multi-day pieces. If you don’t already know it’s there, you won’t find it.
We caught up with Alli and Jessie at the Villain Arts Tattoo Festival in Kansas City for Convention Connection. They were working on something they’d never done before: their first collaboration, a bird in flight for a client who used to work in aviation.
Key Takeaways
The tattoo shop you can’t find: Hopeless Collective has no sign. It’s tucked in an alley in Kansas City’s Crossroads.
Big pieces only: Each Tattoo Artist takes one client a day, for large, often multi-day work.
A first collaboration: Alli and Jessie tattooed a bird in flight together for their client Nicole, a former aviation professional.
Alli’s start: She failed her high school art class. Then a Mentor found her through her murals.
Jessie’s lesson: Patience. Plan a big piece carefully, then chip away at it slowly.
What Is the Convention Connection?
Convention Connection is Ink Different’s interview series filmed at tattoo conventions. At the Villain Arts Tattoo Festival in Kansas City, we got to capture a first for Alli and Jessie: a live collaboration.
Their client was Nicole, Hopeless Collective’s tattoo shop manager. She knows them well and trusts everything they do. As Jessie put it, Nicole knew exactly what she’d gotten herself into.
The idea was Alli’s. A few days before Nicole agreed, Alli asked Jessie what she thought about doing some kind of bird. Since Nicole used to work in aviation, they decided a bird in flight was the perfect fit. The large piece spans her leg and hip.
Who Are Alli Johnson and Jessie Hopeless?
Alli Johnson and Jessie Hopeless are the Tattoo Artists behind Hopeless Collective in Kansas City.
Hopeless Collective
Jessie describes the tattoo studio as a cute little spot tucked into an alley, with a cozy, tiki feel. There’s no sign. “If you know, you know,” she says.
At Hopeless Collective, they only do big pieces, usually spread over several days. Each Tattoo Artist takes just one client a day, so it’s Alli and Jessie tattooing side by side with their two clients. We joked that the name fits: if you’re trying to find it without knowing it’s there, it’s hopeless.
Alli Johnson
Alli always wanted to tattoo. “To be honest, I’ve never really been good at anything else,” she says with a laugh. “I was like, well, this has got to work out.”
She had just graduated high school during COVID when she got her tattoo apprenticeship. She never studied art in school. In fact, she failed her high school art class. But she’d been doing freelance painting and murals around her hometown. That’s how her Mentor, Diego, found her.
When she started tattooing, she wanted to do black and gray portraits. That didn’t stick. Lately, she’s been doing blackwork, ornamental, and art nouveau, styles she never expected to love.
Jessie Hopeless
Black and gray has long been Jessie’s main style. She took a couple of years of art classes in college, then switched majors because she thought you couldn’t make a living in art. “And that’s why I tattoo,” she says with a laugh.
Alli says Jessie has taught her a lot about patience: planning a big project carefully, then chipping away at it slowly. Big pieces get tedious in the middle for both the client and the Tattoo Artist, so patience matters.
Why Do Tattoo Conventions Matter for Your Career?
Conventions bring the tattoo community together and give Tattoo Artists a chance to try new things, like Alli and Jessie’s first collaboration.
Alli says Kansas City has an amazing tattoo scene. The community is there for each other, and there are more events, programs, resources, and opportunities than ever.
Jessie has seen how much the industry has changed. Twenty years ago, she says, clients needed to see a design on the wall before they’d commit to it. Today, clients expect Tattoo Artists to draw custom work. We pointed out that the old saying was “you pick them, we stick them.” Now Tattoo Artists get to do custom work all day.
Her first tattoo shop was a different world, too. It sat on a highway between a porn store and a liquor store. For a long time, that was the only place zoning allowed a tattoo studio. “We need to go back to that,” Jessie joked.
How Can You Turn a Convention Into Connections?
Alli and Jessie’s story offers a few lessons for anyone building a tattoo career.
Step 1: Bring your other art skills
Alli’s murals got her noticed. Her Mentor found her through her painting.
Step 2: Think big
Alli says painting a 10-foot wall is a lot like tattooing a large piece. You plan, step back, come back, and step back again, a million times. That’s why big projects feel more fun than intimidating to her.
Step 3: Stay open to new styles
Alli expected to do black and gray portraits. Now she’s drawn to blackwork, ornamental, and art nouveau.
Step 4: Be patient
Jessie’s approach: plan carefully and chip away slowly, especially when the middle of a big piece gets tedious.
Step 5: Keep making art
When Alli feels burned out or hits a wall, she paints. “It’s definitely a use it or lose it thing,” she says.
What Can You Learn That No Website Teaches?
You learn by watching Tattoo Artists work in person, especially on big pieces like Alli and Jessie’s. Seeing how two Tattoo Artists plan and split a large design teaches you things no tutorial can.
Safety comes first in every tattoo studio. Every Tattoo Artist must know the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.
You’ll also see how Tattoo Artists stay connected between events. Build your own presence with these platforms to help Tattoo Artists build their brand. For gear, see the tools every beginner Tattoo Artist should know.
Get Serious About Your Tattoo Career With Ink Different Tattoos
Alli found her start through a Mentor who saw her potential. Ink Different helps aspiring Tattoo Artists find that same kind of mentorship through a structured path.
Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years. It’s a college alternative for people ready to build an AI-proof career.
What Can You Expect From Our Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship built for beginners. No prior art experience is required.
Four-phase structure: From fundamentals to supervised client work.
Hands-on mentorship: You learn in person from experienced Mentors inside a working tattoo studio.
Licensing support: Guidance through your state’s requirements.
A guaranteed job offer: You’ll receive a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide.
Curious how it compares to college? Read why tattoo apprenticeships are gaining ground as a solid alternative to college. Jessie switched majors because she didn’t think art could pay. Tattooing proved her wrong.
Mentorship That Pushes Your Brand and Skills Further
Once you’ve built your foundation, Ink Different’s Master Mentorship connects you with Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, Jordi Pla, Marcel Oliveira, and Kara Gutierrez.
Like Alli and Jessie, many Tattoo Artists eventually want to build a tattoo shop on their own terms. Working Tattoo Artists and shop owners can also learn about becoming an Ink Different Mentor at inkdifferenttattoos.com/affiliate.
Making Tattoo Training Accessible for Everyone
Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego. Its “Good Humans” culture means you join a supportive community from day one.
Ready to Become a Tattoo Artist?
Alli Johnson and Jessie Hopeless built a tattoo studio on their own terms: no sign, one client a day each, and only big pieces. Alli went from failing art class to large-scale tattooing. Jessie went from doubting art could pay to running a tattoo studio people have to know about to find.
Want to get tattooed by them? Remember, these are all-day appointments for big pieces, not a small anchor on your forearm. Plan accordingly. Booking goes through Nicole. Use the Hopeless Collective booking page, or reach out directly:
Jessie: Instagram @jessiehopelesstattoos, jessiehopeless.com, or [email protected]
Alli: Instagram @allitheartist or Facebook under the same username
For aspiring Tattoo Artists: Apply now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. Prefer to test the waters first? Fill out our quick questionnaire to see if it’s right for you.
Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hopeless Collective?
It’s tucked in an alley in the Crossroads neighborhood of Kansas City, with no sign. “If you know, you know.”
What kind of tattoos does Hopeless Collective do?
Only big pieces, usually multi-day. Each Tattoo Artist takes one client a day.
How did Alli Johnson get into tattooing?
She got her tattoo apprenticeship right after graduating high school during COVID. Her Mentor, Diego, found her through her murals.
How do I book with Alli or Jessie?
Use the Hopeless Collective booking page, or contact them on Instagram. Nicole handles booking for both.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
Do I need art experience to start?
No. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is built for beginners. Alli even failed her high school art class.
