By 1999, Nico Rodriguez had had it with life as a Mexican Wrestler. Wanting a career where he was able to give something back to the community and lead a fuller life, he joined up with a new group of toothless carnies traveling through Northern Mexico. An affable fellow, Nico was a hit with everyone in t he troupe, and they quickly taught him every trick in the book. From sword swallowing to lion taming, Nico learned it all, but it was the subtle art of tattooing that really sparked his interest. He studied for years under the Great Master, Ms. Deborah inside the "Inked Freaks" tent, and one day had enough knowledge to set out on his own. And so he did, with his good friend Tiffany, opening "Freaks-N-Geeks Tattoo Sideshow", in homage to his colorful past.

 Tiffany Leach came into tattooing in a much more roundabout way. Kidnapped at the age of 3 and forced to do parlor tricks for a family of wealthy landowners in the Yucatan Peninsula, she spent all her spare time plotting her escape. Unfortunately for her, the wealthy landowners realized what a valuable slave they had - no other servant girl could draw anything as beautiful as Tiffany. The landowners kept a tight grip on the gate key, so it took years for Tiffany to gain her freedom. It wasn't until she was 18 that she managed to steal the key and escape, traveling at night towards America and having all sorts of adventures. It was by sheer chance that, two years later, she fell in with the same ragtag group of toothless carnies. As an artist, she was immediately pulled towards the "Inked Freaks" tent, where she met Nico and the Great Master, Ms. Deborah. After two years of intensive study, she set out with Nico to open "Freaks-N-Geeks" in Asheville, N.C.