Accountability
5/12/2025
We want to start off by noting our ongoing appreciation for those who have shown us continued
support including our staff, our community, and our dear friends. We are deeply grateful for each
of you. It is also important for us to note our gratitude for those who have not necessarily been in
our corner but who have pushed Evolved to be better over the last several weeks and who have
held us accountable. Many folks who were eager to call us out have been just as eager to support
us and provide constructive feedback as we have shared our plans with all of you. Unfortunately,
it seems there are a select few individuals who are uninterested in a path forward and are present
not to see accountability, change, and growth but, instead, to be a part of destruction, which is
helpful to nobody involved.
We continue to focus on the progress we have made and the progress that awaits us which
includes, as noted in Nick’s April 18, 2025 statement, a compensation analysis. As part of that
analysis, we had to gather raw earnings data for calendar year 2024 with respect to our tattoo
artists and piercers as well as our front and back of house staff. In the interest of transparency,
we decided to also share this data with each of you which you can review in the image attached
to this post.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to share a last call for the Restorative Repair
Process. You can sign up here: https://forms.gle/2RKcEjzAbL3nFqYG6. We encourage anyone
with stories of harm to take advantage of this process so that we can work toward healing the
hurt and resentment in our community.
This will be our last statement on social media with respect to the changes we are implementing
as we hope to restore the positive nature of our internet presence and return to doing what we
love most: showcasing and celebrating the incredible work of our artists and piercers here at
Evolved. We intend to continue providing updates to those who are willing to move forward
together and will do so via our website.
P.S. We do not own Shamrock Towing lol
4/26/2025
Hello everyone – my name is Jill. I have recently moved into the Team Manager (General Manager) position for Evolved Body Art. I am looking forward to being a part of the change that brings a community very dear to many into its new era. I am grateful for the support of an outside Human Resources firm and a team of Assistant Managers – voted in by their peers. I know the general public has been wanting to hear from me for some time, but please know that my priority has been taking care of the people present and most affected and focusing on forward progress. I am so thankful for the many amazing humans that have reached out, asked questions, and tried to be a part of a solution over the past few weeks. I see you and will always be appreciative of that.
Before getting into further details of the work we have been doing, I want to address something that I have repeatedly read in the comments to Nick’s prior statement: I reviewed that statement before it was released. Before writing the statement, Nick asked which name I would prefer he use and whether I had a preference on pronouns. The fact that people I have had minimal interactions with over the years seem the most upset on my behalf, using terms like “dead name” and “misgendering,” really highlights to me some of the reasons why we have found ourselves here.
The nicknames JillyBean, Bean, and other variations were given to me when I was young. I will gladly answer to either as well as to Jill, and I am not upset if anyone calls me one or the other. I’ve only recently realized how much better my brain was conditioned to hear “Bean” as it has been deeply ingrained in me from childhood and sports. Jill feels more appropriate at times. It is fluid. I grew up knowing only He and She as identifying pronouns and knowing only two gender identities. As a child, I decided I must just be a “different kind of girl” and moved on with my life. That is true, but for the past many years I have realized that They/Them give me a sense of belonging I have never had. I have spent much time sitting with both of those – and have more pressing matters to give that much energy or opinion toward. I appreciate everyone’s desire to be respectful.
I have always been fascinated by tattoos and piercings. When I was 16 (the late 90’s) my parents told me to “do your research” in the 2 years it would take for me to be able to get my navel pierced on my own. I stumbled into the internet community built by the forefathers of the industry and spent hours a day reading all of the different experiences and educational writings. I started hanging out in shops at the age of 18, and after moving to Columbus and volunteering for Trauma for a few years, started working for Evolved on a part-time basis in early 2014. The couple of shifts a week were in addition to my roles as General Manager at two high-volume pet boarding and daycare/grooming/training businesses. In between the pet care jobs I moved on to a gym and was promoted to General Manager within six months. Evolved was a fun way to supplement my income, relax from my General Manager duties, and be in an environment I enjoyed with friends. In my time at Evolved I have passed all required tests quickly and easily, and moved from front of house, to training new hires, writing procedures, event setup, performing, maintenance, and behind the scenes positions as needed, often juggling a combination of those. I was around to witness the full scene of a lot of the awful stories people have heard recently – and can promise there is a lot being left out or twisted. I also got to see how these same people treated those they saw as beneath them, and their work ethic when “no one important” was watching.
I met Nick and the previous managers and saw them as humans, living in Columbus, Ohio running a business – and juggling way more than I would ever want to. It never crossed my mind to see Nick on this “demigod/shaman” platform that others have imposed upon him. He was a dude with a family and a business. Looking through that lens, time and again Nick and what he curated with Evolved have given me immense support. I have always done my best to keep it a respectful and reciprocal relationship. That is how I’m wired and what I want to put into the world.
I have seen many people assume that I have been here for this long because I am a “yes man/minion/golden child/bootlicker” despite the fact that I am a shining example of someone who regularly tells Nick “No” and where our opinions differ. I have seen both his struggles and his growth in managing his business and helping people throughout the years. I have witnessed a desire to be better, even if the attempts weren’t always successful. I also admitted to him many times that I would have given up on some of these people a lot sooner, but they’d have never made it to where they did without his continued support. I have chosen to keep my circle small, for quality control. He has been affiliated with a mind-boggling network of people for many more years. I’ve seen moments where his actions didn’t live up to others’ hopes or expectations, but I have learned you will never please everybody. I’ve seen people assume he made specific decisions or had certain intent with respect to situations he wasn’t even present for. I’ve seen people argue that things have been hidden from them while they are missing information we are regularly trying to relay to all.
We have been working with GoHR for the past few weeks to move everyone forward in the best direction possible. This is not a fast process, but we are looking forward to making and applying the important changes they have been helping us set up. I cannot express the immense gratitude I have for my coworkers respecting this process. We do not want to go through any of this too quickly, and want to make sure the actions line up with intentions. We will have our handbook soon, and immediately start molding that into what will serve everyone best in the future. The entire management team is very eager to get this going.
I’m also taking this opportunity to announce we have been working on a restorative repair process for the community. Restorative practices are those that identify and address harms, needs, and obligations of all individuals – including community members – who have a stake in resolving a conflict. The goal is to center folks who are most directly impacted in working toward safety, accountability, and transparency. I encourage everyone stepping forward over the past few weeks to fill out the form and take advantage of this process to heal hurt and resentment.
There are many more things we are working on, and I am looking forward to sharing those details once we are in a position to do so.
Thank you for taking the time to read this far. Again thank you to everyone who has asked clarifying questions and checked in over the last few weeks. I have been regularly thankful for the circle of people I have found myself among. Our staff has felt the love from the community who sees us for the humans we are. We are eager to bring forward a better Evolved at a time the world needs it the most.
I have chosen to disable comments in order to keep my focus in a better, more positive direction. Those that know how to reach me may reach me – but understand I have been inundated with messages for weeks now. I’m having a difficult time keeping up. Those who are uncertain may keep checking in to see who we are and what we’re becoming.
4/11/2025
It has been a full seven days, and I am still in shock. I have been reading, listening to, and working to understand the impact of situation after situation. Each day I think that I am going to do something, anything to make things better, whether by a written statement or verbal apology, and each day I see myself and those around me continue to struggle with this hurt. I have spent the last week trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to speak with everyone leaving, those staying, those near us, and those far away. What I am hearing is that my silence is deafening, and I am in the wrong.
Please know that day after day, I have drafted response after response, working with the remaining staff to make sure we are covering all who are hurting while also attempting to use words that do more than simply acknowledge the hurt but show plans of action to address it. Everyday this situation reveals itself more and more as what it is: a crisis.
I cannot wait any longer and am now writing this from only my perspective. While I understand I can speak endlessly as to how sorry I feel, I know that many of you will think it is merely lip service and still falls short of what is needed here: change. That said, before I discuss all the changes I have been working to implement, please allow me to express my deepest and most sincere apologies to and support for Anna, for Daisy, and for any other person who is coping with immense hurt right now. I am sorry to all of our staff whose lives feel upended simply because of their affiliation to me. I am sorry to all of the clients, past staff, and community who are in shock, who are furious, or who are in disbelief.
Again, my words will simply never be enough. With that said, here is what I have been very actively working on, both in terms of my response to the allegations and the actions we are taking immediately to improve, in the midst of what has been a devastating time for all. I appreciate the time you have taken to read this far and hope you will continue reading from here.
As many know, former members of the Evolved Body Art team have come forward with heartbreaking allegations related to their employment here at the shop. I want to take this opportunity to assure our employees, both current and former, as well as our clients and beloved community, that we are putting in the work to make Evolved Body Art better from the ground up. I have been taking this time to sit with those allegations, hold space for those who are and have been hurting, and prepare a legitimate plan to share with each of you.
Before I get into the details of that plan, I want to make it clear that I respect the statements that have been published and have no desire to add to the hurt they are enduring. I feel compelled, however, to address one allegation in particular. Specifically, there is an allegation that I permitted one of the shop’s artists to install a hidden camera in their studio through which clients, shop staff, and others were filmed without their consent. I need you to understand that, for your peace of mind, the context behind this camera is very important. The artist had expressed to me concerns that others may be tampering with their supplies after-hours and, to determine if that was the case, requested permission to install a discreet, motion-activated recording device that operated only outside of standard business hours. Per the receipt, the camera was delivered on March 30, 2025 and was installed for approximately four days before the memory card was removed. During that time, the artist did four tattoos in total and only on male clients between the ages of 33 and 47. I have not personally seen any footage because the memory card was removed, though I am told that there is a total of roughly five minutes of recording from after-hours. I, like many of you, am awaiting the release of that information. Again, my explanation is not meant to distract from the larger picture here, but I need each of you to know the purpose behind the use of that camera as well as the brief duration during which it operated.
TO OUR COMMUNITY
I know many of you are hurting. Some of you are just learning about all of this. Some of you have been carrying it quietly for a while. And some of you have no idea how to feel, because this place meant something good to you. And now you do not know what to believe. I am not asking for forgiveness or loyalty. I am asking for the chance to prove, through action, that I mean what I say.
To the people who left, I respect your choice. To the clients who feel unsure, I understand. To the people who have stayed, I am grateful and know you do not deserve to be erased in a blanket statement of blame. I know you stayed because you believe this place can become something better.
I am not proud of how we got here, but please know I am listening and choosing to put in the work to be better, both transparently and together. I am fully committed. I will not allow the shop to return to business as usual. We are going to make these changes from the ground up.
WHAT WE ARE DOING: NOW, NOT LATER
I do not expect your trust to be restored by this statement. I intend to earn it back through my actions that are transparent, structured, and lasting. These actions start with me stepping away from all my community and business leadership roles including, but not limited to, Evolved Body Art. Andy Ringo will also be stepping away from his leadership at the shop.
During this time, I will seek external, professional expertise that will make me not just a better leader, but a better person all around. I will be regularly updating and sharing specifics on the steps being taken to address my own shortcomings as well as those within the shop. These initial steps include, but are certainly not limited to:
1. Thorough investigation into the pending allegations;
2. Engagement of a trauma-informed Human Resources team with no prior connection to the shop that will assist with rollout of robust workplace policies clearly communicating the shop’s zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, and coercion;
3. Multilingual training for all staff on respect in the workplace with a separate focus on management responsibilities;
4. Establishment of complaint-reporting mechanisms to a neutral third party; and
5. Implementation of a restorative justice program to address and work to heal the specific harm of this situation.
So that we can focus our time, energy, and efforts on these changes, Evolved Body Art will be closed effective immediately until Saturday, April 19, 2025. All of our staff will be paid through our closure so that their livelihood is not further impacted by this situation. If you have a service scheduled during this closure, please reach out to booking@evolvedbodyart.com for a full refund of any deposit and assistance with rebooking should you so choose.
With gratitude, sorrow, and a vow to do better,
Nick Wolak
4/6/2025
I am grateful to be part of so many communities and over the years, I’ve been honored to witness growth through shared intention, connection, and trust. I’ve held these spaces close to my heart, and I care deeply about the people who show up in them.
I’ve become aware that there are experiences and concerns, some of which I believed had been addressed in past years, that remain unresolved for some members of our community. I see clearly that just because something was addressed doesn’t mean it has been fully seen, heard, or healed. I am truly sorry.
I want to do better by creating more space for transparency and trust. I’m working to refine and add additional channels of communication, so that anyone who needs to share can do so in a way that feels supported and taken seriously.To support this, I’m in the process of helping form a dedicated, peer led team – independent from me – that will be focused on hearing concerns regarding consent, ethics, and interpersonal dynamics. This process is not centered on my leadership. It’s about uplifting trusted voices in the community to guide it with transparency and accountability.
I’m not perfect, and neither are the systems we’ve built, but this step is part of my ongoing commitme to integrity, safety, and listening with humility. I believe in our collective ability to evolve with honesty, compassion, and courage.
With much respect,
Nick Wolak