Crystal Dawn opened Cry Later Tattoo in October 2023 with a mission that goes beyond body art. Her studio offers custom tattoos, permanent cosmetics, tooth gems, and — coming soon — permanent jewelry. But more importantly, she said she has created a space where women in the tattoo industry can feel safe and supported.
Though she was born in West Virginia and spent part of her teenage years in Chicago, Dawn has lived in Owensboro most of her life and calls it home.
Dawn has been in the tattoo industry for nearly a decade, starting with an apprenticeship at 18. She said her early experiences in the field, however, were marked by mistreatment.
“I was abused a lot, and at the time, I didn’t know any better. I thought that’s just what you had to deal with as a woman in the industry,” Dawn said. “As I got older, I realized that shouldn’t be the case. I don’t want that to happen to anybody else.”
That realization led her to establish Cry Later Tattoo as a safe space for female artists. While the shop, located at 617 West Parrish Avenue, serves all clients, roughly 85% of its customer base is women.
Looking ahead, Dawn hopes to expand by either opening a second location or moving into a larger space by the end of the year. She also envisions adding services like nail technicians and estheticians to make Cry Later Tattoo a one-stop shop for female-focused beauty and wellness.
In addition to standard tattoo services, Dawn also currently offers free 3D areola tattooing for cancer survivors and individuals who have undergone transition surgeries.
“We provide that at no charge because it’s about helping people feel confident in themselves again,” she said.
As she continues to grow her business, her focus remains on making Cry Later Tattoo a place where she’s ensuring both clients and artists feel safe, respected, and empowered.
