Reflections from our Head Piercer Noah Babcock

25 years ago today I began what would become a lifetime career at Evolution. I was 19 years old, had been piercing for a bit and had just returned to Albuquerque from working at a studio in Atlanta. I loved piercing more than anything, but my experiences had me a bit disenchanted with the industry. Evolution had opened in April of that year with the vision of offering Albuquerque something truly exceptional and different. Shawn and Crystal (Evolutions founders and owners) also manufactured body jewelry at the time and I would order jewelry for me personally from them. I was in a rut and unhappy at the studio I was at, feeling there was no room for growth. I conversationally expressed this to Crystal whilst ordering jewelry one day. The following day she called me, asking if her and Shawn could to take me out to dinner. I went, they offered me a job, I readily and eagerly accepted. I started piercing at Evolution that same week. That was 25 years ago. A lifetime. And what a lifetime it’s been. Evolution has allowed me to grow and express myself creatively in ways I never could have imagined. Not only by allowing me to spread my wings but also by providing a workplace of insurmountable safety and stability. This studio has watched me fall in love, raise a family and become a foster parent, the latter of which would never be possible without the opportunities and support that has been given over the years. The staff of evolution has always been my second family. I’ve been able to develop friendships with an amazing spectrum of people, friendships that have taught me a lot about myself and the world, friendships I will value for the rest of my life (even those that dissipate with time and distance). The silver lining to the past 25 years has been my clients. You guys. You trust me with your bodies, you trust me with your children, you trust me with your joy and you trust me with your grief. None of what I’ve accomplished, none of what I’ve created, none of it would be possible without your trust. Thank you all.

Evolution is my home, and it always feels good to be home.

- Written by our Head Piercer Noah Babcock