Joseph Ortiz

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My life story. I was born and raised in NYC (Manhattan) so the top part of my sleeve expresses that and the city I lobe. At 18, I moved to Tampa, Florida so the bottom part of my sleeve expresses that. The title of my sleeve is “New York Raised me but Tampa made me”.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

I was born in the city that never sleeps and I grew up where most people could only dream of. I am proud to be a native New Yorker. The hustle is real. Leaving to live in Tampa was hard but New York gave me the ground rules for the hustle and I made Tampa work. You can take the man out of the city but you can’t take the city out of the man.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would help out my grandparents who raised me. I lost my mom at a young age and my grandparents taught me what family means. Most of the money would go to help my son when he’s ready for college. Helping family is what I would do. And maybe a night out for me!!!