Calgary sisters open tattoo studio amid tough time for small businesses

Opening a business is never easy, but right now it may be harder than ever. A new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business suggests Canada is in an “entrepreneurial drought” with more businesses closing than opening for six straight quarters.

“Business owners are really being hit from a lot of different angles — the street-level crime they’re experiencing in their city, the high taxes that they’re paying to governments, or some of the red tape that they have to deal with at all three levels of government,” explained Kayode Southwood with the CFIB’s Alberta branch.

The rate of businesses closing down has reached 5.6 per cent, while incoming operations sit at 4.8 per cent. More than half of Alberta small business owners wouldn’t recommend starting up an operation right now.

But Calgary’s Kat Lee and Ella Pinkowski, are going against the grain, opening their new tattoo and piercing studio this month in Mission.

“Seeing her be able to open up a storefront and welcome walk-ins and have a street sign, it’s so exciting and to be able to build it together has just been a dream come true and it’s a dream that we didn’t even imagine could happen,” Lee said.

“It is so special for us, we’ve really tried to create a space that feels like home.”

Pinkowski says the pair is excited about their prospects but admits the numbers in the report are a bit scary.

“You have to be ready for ups and downs, constantly,” the piecer explained. It takes a lot of courage, every day is kind of a new struggle, you kind of just have to go with the flow.

“Will people walk in? Are we doing the right thing?” she wonders. “But, it feels right.”

CFIB says this is one of the most challenging business environments decades, calling on Alberta to cut the gas tax before July and reduce levies including the recently hiked education property tax.

A representative from the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration said in a statement to CityNews that report gives a nation-wide look but does not hone in on individual provinces.

“Alberta stands out as our small-business growth rate is twice the national rate. CFIB recognizes Alberta as one of the best places to do business as we have consistently received high marks in reducing red tape,” the government said. “On top of this, we are the biggest job-creator in the nation, adding over 100,000 new jobs between March 2025 and March 2026. Without this growth, Canada would have lost 13,900 jobs.

“Our government is going to keep cutting red tape, maintaining competitive tax rates, and investing in programs that support entrepreneurs in Alberta.”

Steel & Needle, located at 2312 4 Street SW, is celebrating its grand opening on Saturday.