Meet Jenny James | Tattoo Shop Owner, Farm Owner, Muralist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenny James and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenny, what do you attribute your success to?
I think the most important factor of my success, is the fact that I’m lucky enough to be doing things I truly care about. It’s easy to settle for a job that provides securities such as health insurance or 401Ks, but those things are too commonly driving forces behind where people end up career wise. Life is far too short to commit to a career for literal decades of our lives, that we aren’t truly infatuated with.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In 2023 I bought my first house, after searching for over 5 years. I had a lot of expectations for what I wanted, and while it seemed unrealistic, I refused to settle until one day by chance a Realtor brought me by while we were going to check out a different property.
The house was in poor condition, but there was a separate two car garage, a barn, and a giant workshop. Inspiration everywhere I looked.
In spring of 2024 I filled the barn with chickens and goats. By summer I quit my job at a local tattoo shop after 6 years of working there.
After a week of thinking over what my next steps would be, I decided I still wanted to tattoo, but the tattoo shop culture just wasn’t for me anymore.
I looked over my county’s health department regulations and figured out that with some work I could open a legitimate tattoo shop in the two car garage.
I had some help with electrical and plumbing, but other than that I was able to fully build my own shop.
Side note: I always had more than one job while tattooing. I started a carpentry apprenticeship in 2016, so I knew just enough to complete the project, and have it look relatively professionally done.
Once the tattoo shop was built and signed off by the health department, I was ready for a new project, and it was becoming apparent that I had too many eggs to give away.
So I decided the next step would be a farm stand.
I bought a 8×16 shed from a neighbor and refinished the inside into a boutique.
The idea snowballed from a self serve egg stand, to exploring everything else that was already growing on the property to profit from.
I also make body products, candles, and sell my artwork out of the stand.
As of now I’m learning how to make apricot jam, because there are two fully mature apricot trees that are currently exploding with fruit. Very much learning as I go, and as things bloom.
I also sell flowers that grow here, like peonies and roses, and re-pot succulents that keep spreading around the house. I just planted pumpkins, sunflowers, and corn in a large area of the property, so I’m pretty excited for fall.
So business wise, I suppose I got here by having a goal, not settling, and letting that lead me to where I’d imagine I’m supposed to be. A lot of it is resourcefulness and utilizing all the benefits of what’s around me. A little bit of go with the flow, while still listening to instincts and gut.
Nothing worth having is easy, but overcoming anything is just a matter of persistence.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Grand Junction is pretty known for its ease of access to outdoor activities. Swimming is a necessity in the summer when the temperatures are pretty regularly higher than 100 degrees. I usually recommend going to the Grand Mesa for camping, swimming, fishing or just relaxing. Grand Junction doesn’t have the best food selection coming from someone who grew up on a coast and loves seafood…. However Suehiro’s Japanese Steakhouse downtown is pretty top notch. As for the most interesting places, farmers markets and festivals are usually pretty entertaining. my favorite is the “Mike the Headless Chicken” festival in Fruita…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to thank the many people who allowed me to practice tattooing on them. I started in 2007, and when you start you don’t exactly pump out masterpieces. My clients and friends trusted me with their skin, knowing I had little experience. I can’t say thank you enough to those who gave me a chance to get better.

Instagram: Lonesomegoatstudio; Lonesomegoatfarm