My name is Federico, but most people know me as Fed. I grew up in Montréal, raised by two hardworking immigrant parents who built a life from the ground up. My mom, an art teacher. My dad, a cabinetmaker and wood artist. Creativity ran in the family, but so did the struggle. Watching them work hard, I always wondered—do I follow their path, or do I take the ‘safe’ route?

At 17, like a lot of people, I was lost. College wasn’t for me, and I bounced between jobs—selling shoes, waiting tables, even hustling on the side to make ends meet. Nothing felt right. Then one day, my mom asked me a simple question: ‘Fed, what would make you happy?’ My answer? Tattoos. I loved everything about them—the art, the culture, the meaning behind them. Her response? ‘Then go for it. But take it seriously.’ That conversation changed everything.

Fast forward to today, I look back and know I made the right choice. Tattooing has given me a life I once thought was out of reach. I get to create, travel, own one of the best tattoo shops in Montréal, and most importantly, give back to the people who believed in me. All of this started with a passion, a push from my mom, and the decision to bet on myself.