POY Nominee — Katelynn Domina: Ink with intention: Shop becomes hub for giving

For Katelynn Domina, 2025 was a year of growth — for her business, for her artistic reach and for her sense of responsibility to the community she calls home.

Domina, owner of The Doctor’s Office, was nominated for the News Letter Journal’s Person of the Year
for building a growing downtown business while using her time and talent to help address food insecurity in Newcastle.

Domina began her tattoo apprenticeship six or seven years ago, first working in Wright before opening a small shop near her family’s home in Newcastle, according to her mother, Julie Domina. Over the past year, she relocated The Doctor’s Office to Main Street, a move that placed her work in the center of the community and expanded her client base.

Her mother said the move reflected both personal and professional growth.

“She’s growing and expanding, and I’m so immensely proud of her,” Julie Domina said.

The downtown location has increased visibility for the business and made Domina more accessible to walk-in clients and community members. Domina said the transition felt both unexpected and meaningful.

“It feels surreal but also like a wonderful blessing to be taking up a studio space in the town that I grew up in,” she said.

Domina described the move as an opportunity not only to grow her business, but also to help keep a Main Street storefront occupied and active. She said meeting new clients has been one benefit, but being more connected to the community has been just as important.

Beyond Newcastle, Domina has continued to develop her career as an artist. She has attended tattoo conventions in Cheyenne and Denver, built a following on TikTok and Facebook, and attracted clients from outside the area. She has taken on increasingly varied work, including tattoos done as part of a wedding celebration.

Although tattooing is often seen simply as a service, Domina approaches it as both creative and relational work. 

“I like art and I enjoy people,” she said, describing tattooing as a “privileged service” and emphasizing her goal of providing a “positive environment” for clients.

That mindset carried into her response to food insecurity in the community. Her mother said Domina began noticing social media posts from people seeking help and recognized that existing resources were strained.

“She saw the need,” Julie said.

Using her social media platforms, Domina organized a donation effort that invited people to contribute nonperishable food items in exchange for her time and tattoo services. According to her mother, the response was strong.

Julie said the effort grew beyond a single drive. Domina began sharing donated food with other entities, keeping a small pantry inside her shop and setting out prepared meals during business hours for anyone who needed them.

Community members noticed.

“When she sees a need, she tries her best to help out and is always there with a helping hand,” McKinzie Parrish said.

Parrish said Domina’s move to Main Street allowed her to “really spread the wealth,” not only through her business but through her volunteer efforts.

“She’s dependable, courageous and willing to put in the work when other people need it,” Parrish said.

Gigi Fullerton said Domina’s journey from a small shop to a Main Street location has made a visible impact.

“She’s continued to chase her dream,” Fullerton said, adding that Domina’s presence downtown helps preserve the history of Newcastle.

Domina said the food drive was not intended as a large-scale solution, but as a way to encourage others to help in small, practical ways.

“We are all a small part of a much bigger ecosystem, and we can all contribute in small ways,” she said. She added that while she cannot feed everyone, she can donate her time and skills and encourage others to do the same.

Domina’s community involvement predates her business success. As a student, she was active in school activities, including FFA and drug awareness efforts, and she was known for her reliability and willingness to help. While her career path surprised her mother, Julie said her daughter’s work ethic did not.

“Did I ever think she’d be a business owner and a tattoo artist? Absolutely not,” Julie said. “But she is just kicking butt.”

Despite being a relatively new artist, Domina has developed a loyal clientele, secured sponsorships and continued to expand her skills. She described 2025 as “a bit of a wild ride,” but said doing work she enjoys makes it easier to see opportunities for positive change.

“There aren’t many bad days doing what I do for work,” she said.

Domina said the Person of the Year nomination left her feeling more grateful than proud. She described her daily goal as trying to be honest, kind and in a good head space, trusting that “everything else will work out.”

She said she remains thankful for the people who have supported her business and her efforts to create a safe, welcoming space.