#8: Good Brands Give People a Voice | Zach Peterson Artwork

Pressed for Presence

Conversations with creative leaders about finding presence while pursuing big dreams.

Pressed for Presence

#8: Good Brands Give People a Voice | Zach Peterson

April 16, 2025 • Drew Korf

Zach Peterson is the owner of Tattooed & Successful and Empyre Fitness in Boise, Idaho.

The term "brand" is often misconstrued for a logo on a T-shirt and a catchy tagline. But what does it take to turn a brand into a life force that builds community and gives a group of people a voice and a sense of belonging?

In today's episode, expect to hear Zach open up about the long journey that led him to start Tattooed and Successful (an idea that started as scribbles on pink sticky notes after a gym session), and the growth he's had to embrace as a person and a business owner as the brand has grown to become one of the biggest names in tattoo culture. Along his journey with T&S, Zach also opened the doors to Empyre Fitness, and he detailed some of the principles around building a positive environment and empowering the team around you that's helped the gym's success since its inception.

This episode had some of my favorite moments so far on the show, including Zach competing in inventathons as a kid, sending 300+ DM's per day to people on Instagram to help T&S gain recognition, transitioning from being an athlete & reshaping his identity, and using therapy to both make his life better and to give him the ability to be a positive resource for the people around him.

Hope you enjoy this inspiring and open conversation with Zach Peterson.

Find Tattooed & Successful at:

Website: https://tattooedandsuccessful.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattooedandsuccessfulco/

Find Empyre Fitness at:

Website: https://www.empyrefitness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empyre_fitness/

Find Zach at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachjpete/

Find Pressed for Presence at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pressedforpresence/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pressedforpresence