💥 Michael Salazar: Building a brand through tattoos, family… and artificial intelligence
🇪🇨 From Ecuador to Barcelona: A Story of Vision
Michael Salazar was born in Quito, Ecuador) and emigrated to Spain in 2002 seeking stability for his family. What began as a dream and a tattoo kit gifted by his wife has grown into one of Barcelona's most highly regarded studios: Mayje TattooToday, the studio has more than 1.800 5-star reviews and has established itself as a benchmark not only for its technique, but also for its business model.
🏢 Studio management: tattooing well is not enough
At Mayje Tattoo, tattooing is just one part of the machine. Michael has turned his studio into a true business model, supported by his family—Reina, Mishell, and Pholl—and a carefully selected team. For him, the secret lies in the processes, ongoing training, and an entrepreneurial mindset that few in the industry dare to adopt. "Being an artist isn't enough. If you don't manage well, it doesn't matter how well you tattoo," he states bluntly.
🤖 The AI revolution applied to tattooing
Michael was a pioneer in launching the first The world's leading online seminar on artificial intelligence applied to tattoo designThrough his course "Master AI as a Tattoo Artist," he has trained more than 100 artists from around the world. Far from seeing AI as a threat, he considers it a tool that enhances creativity if used judiciously. "Photoshop didn't kill art. AI won't either. You just have to know how to use it well," he maintains.
🌍 International expansion and global community
Over one million followers on social mediaMichael continues to expand his vision internationally. He's tattooed clients from all over the world, participated in conventions, and is already preparing to enter new markets like the United States. As he says: "I didn't come to Europe to seek my luck... I came to create it."
📖 Want to read the full interview?
Enjoy the full interview with Michael Salazar in our August 2025 editions, available in both Spanish and English. Click the link below:
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