25 Years of Evolution
As I stood in the lobby of our original location on Evolution’s 25th Anniversary, I tried to recall what our first day open had been like. I remember the first two piercings I did, a labret and a pair of nipples. I remember how proud I was of our lobby, with its aquatic turtle tank and the custom display cases that Shawn, my business partner, made with his incredible imagination and a welder he borrowed from a friend. I can vividly recall the smile and enthusiasm of our one/only employee, Tyler. We were a small but mighty team with one goal in mind; to share the transformative power that piercing has had on our lives with as many people as possible.
We knew from the start that if we wanted to have the biggest impact we would need to create a welcoming space for a vastly diverse clientele. We would need to not only LOOK different from the “street shops” people were used to going to for piercings, but we would need to BE different.
We would prioritize a safe and comfortable experience above all else. We would offer an incredible amount of jewelry options so each client could find something that spoke to them. We would educate our clients to help them make informed decisions. Everyone would walk out feeling better about themselves than when they came in - even if they didn’t get a piercing. Within our space, everyone is important and worthy of our time and attention.
Why? Because we aren’t just in the business of piercings and jewelry. We are empowering people to use self expression to shape their self image and identity. The importance of this can’t be over-stated, because the way we see ourselves has a huge impact on the trajectory of our lives. As we grow our capacity to love and believe in ourselves, we also grow our ability to reach our goals and our power to do good in the world.
On our anniversary a client messaged us about working over the past few years with one of our piercers saying, “I always had a negative self image… now when I look in the mirror I know I LIKE what I see.” 🥹
And this is what it’s all about. We regularly hear from our clients about how their lives have been positively impacted by the piercings and experiences they’ve had at Evolution, and we are honored and humbled to provide this support. It brings me to tears that 25 years later, with two locations and a current team of 23 people guided by shared values, our original purpose is being realized on a scale we never dreamed possible!
To Our Cherished Clients,
We extend our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support through the years. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or have joined us along the way, you are a valued part of our story. Your loyalty and trust has truly been a cornerstone of our growth.
To Our Extraordinary Team, Past and Present,
Our journey would not have been possible without your passion and dedication to setting a higher standard. We are deeply grateful for the talent, energy, and unique contributions of each individual on our past and present team. Thank you for believing in our mission and being an integral part of our Evolution.
To those who joined us on 4/20 (aka Fur/20) for our Anniversary Fundraiser,
Thank you for celebrating with us and helping us raise over $5k for Animal Humane New Mexico, in addition to finding homes for 4 furry friends! Giving back to our community has always been a core value, and we are so thrilled to be able to make larger contributions with each year of growth.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for 25 wonderful years. Here’s to many more!
Top row, studio images from 1999. Middle row, Co-Founders/Owners Crystal Sims and Shawn Taylor. Bottom row, studio images from 2024.