What is Liz Cook’s “Go-Getter Loop”?

The go-getter loop is a growth cycle Liz teaches in her coaching. It has five steps:

1. Set goals.
2. Get feedback, both from yourself and from people outside yourself.
3. Grow.
4. Reflect.
5. Repeat.

The idea is that growth isn’t a one-time event. You keep running the loop, and each round builds on the last.

Why do so many aspiring tattoo artists feel stuck?

Liz sees a few common struggles holding Tattoo Artists back: perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and people-pleasing.

She’s been there herself. When she first started working with a coach, she was afraid to be imperfect in front of them.

She also says problems grow when you ignore them. Some people wait until a wall gets so big that it makes the decision for them.

Chico has seen another version of being stuck. Tattoo Artists leave for private tattoo studios so they don’t have to answer to anyone. But many come back because they stagnate creatively. There’s no one to bounce ideas off of or double-check their placement.

Reality Check: Liz’s point is that working alone can limit your growth. Outside feedback helps you see what you can’t see yourself.

How does the Go-Getter Loop actually work?

The loop works by pairing your own reflection with feedback from others.

Liz’s answer to stagnation is to work with a coach and have a few Mentors. She believes every Tattoo Artist and shop owner needs feedback from outside their own head to keep growing and avoid burnout.

Her coaching also helps Tattoo Artists catch problems early, before they turn into walls. For example, she helps them map out their calendars so they can protect their time. One idea is to batch content into a single focused day each month.

How do you run your own Go-Getter Loop?

Here’s how you can apply Liz’s loop:

Step 1: Set a clear goal. Decide what you want to work toward.

Step 2: Get feedback from yourself. Look honestly at where you are.

Step 3: Get feedback from others. Find a coach or Mentor. If money is tight, Liz suggests starting by talking to other shop owners or Tattoo Artists you respect.

Step 4: Grow. Act on what you learn.

Step 5: Reflect. Look back at what worked and what didn’t.

Step 6: Repeat. Start the loop again.

Liz adds one more piece of advice: be patient. She says a new tattoo machine can take 10 to 50 uses before it feels right. New skills and ventures deserve that same time before you decide whether they’re working.

When you’re ready to share your progress, explore these platforms to help Tattoo Artists build their brand.

Who is Liz Cook and why does her advice matter?

Liz Cook is a color realism Tattoo Artist known worldwide, the owner of multiple tattoo shops, a coach, and one of Ink Different’s Master Mentors. She has her own ink line and appeared on TLC’s Tattoo Girls.

Her advice matters because she’s lived the loop. She never planned to own a tattoo shop, but she stepped forward and grew into it. About a year into owning her first tattoo studio, she wanted to build an education model for tattooing. She had loved her traditional academic art training. When she saw others start teaching first, she felt jealous, and she used that as a push to build her coaching platform, Candid Color.

She’s also mentoring Clarice Dumas, a Tattoo Artist who came to her through Ink Different. Liz calls Clarice a phenomenal person with real passion for art and tattooing.

Why does live, in-person mentorship accelerate the loop?

Liz didn’t talk about in-person mentorship specifically. What she stressed is that you need feedback from someone outside your own head, whether that’s a coach, a Mentor, or Tattoo Artists you respect.

Without that outside input, it’s easy to stagnate, as Chico has seen with Tattoo Artists who go private. With it, you can spot problems early and keep growing.

Hands-on training gives you that feedback from the start. It also covers safety, including the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard. Tattooing is a human craft, which is why Tattoo Artists are still essential.

Get Serious About Your Growth With Ink Different Tattoos

Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years, with a “Good Humans” culture at its core. It’s also a college alternative. Learn why tattoo apprenticeships are gaining ground as a solid alternative to college.

What You Can Expect from Our Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship

Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases.

• Phase One: Art and design, online.
• Phase Two: Machine practice on synthetic skin, online.
• Phase Three: Supervised tattoos on real clients in a tattoo studio.
• Phase Four: Building independence and preparing for licensing.
• Beginner-friendly: No prior art experience required.
• Built-in feedback: Mentors review your work throughout your training.

A Career That Comes With Confidence

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.

Making Tattoo Training Accessible for Everyone

Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego. Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.

Remember: Seats in our Tattoo Apprenticeship Program are limited because live mentorship means small, focused groups.

Ready to Become a Tattoo Artist?

Liz Cook’s go-getter loop is simple: set goals, get feedback, grow, reflect, and repeat. She’s used it to build a career she never planned, and she teaches it to help other Tattoo Artists keep growing.

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.

For Tattoo Artists and shop owners who want to mentor: Learn how to become an Ink Different Mentor at inkdifferenttattoos.com/affiliate.

And for aspiring shop owners: Explore Ink Different’s shop owner training to build the systems and support your tattoo shop needs.

To work with Liz, message her on Instagram at @lizcooktattoo or book a free intro call at candidcolortattoos.com.