Today we’d like to introduce you to Trinity Kesterke.
Hi Trinity, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been passionate about piercings and jewelry for as long as I can remember. I love how piercings can serve as a reclamation of your body and an outward expression of personal style. I love all piercings, but my true passion lies in ear curations—they offer a unique opportunity to express your identity and individuality through your piercings.
In 2016, I officially began my career in the piercing industry while studying biostatistics in school. At the time, I was juggling coursework with my newfound passion, but the deeper I immersed myself in piercing, the clearer it became that this was where I was meant to be. Much to my parents’ dismay, I decided to put my degree on hold and dedicate myself entirely to learning everything I could about the craft. For me, piercing isn’t just a job—it’s a beautiful blend of art, science, and human connection.
After working in the industry for several years, I realized I wanted to create something different—something that reflected my values and passion. That’s when AVA was born. I opened the studio in February 2020, and it was one of the most terrifying yet exhilarating leaps of my life. My goal was to create a space that prioritized safety, education, and inclusivity—a place where people felt seen, respected, and genuinely cared for. AVA is built on those principles.
Running AVA has been a journey of growth, learning, and connection. I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible clients who trust us to be part of their self-expression and healing journeys. It’s amazing how something as small as a piercing or a piece of jewelry can carry such deep significance. Whether it marks a milestone, a memory, or a fresh start, I’m honored to play a role in those moments.
When I’m not at the studio (or buried in Excel spreadsheets), I love spending time outdoors. But my heart will always belong to my seven cats and, of course, AVA. I’m excited to see what the future holds for the studio and am grateful every day to be doing what I love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I almost laughed when I read this question because it’s been anything but smooth—but I wouldn’t change a minute of it. I opened AVA just four weeks before the first COVID-19 closure, and during our first year of business, we were only able to stay open for 17 weeks total. The only reason we survived was because of our amazing clientele—shoutout to my Palm Springs clients for their incredible support! While closed, we sold gift cards, t-shirts, and jewelry online to keep AVA afloat and sometimes I’m still surprised I made it.
On top of that, I moved across the country from North Carolina to California for piercing, which was a huge adjustment. It was incredibly challenging to start over in a new place, but looking back, I’m so glad I made that leap. It was absolutely worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about AVA Piercing Company?
Safety and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do at AVA. We are proud to be a single-use studio, meaning every tool, needle, and piece of equipment we use during your piercing is brand new and used only for you. This minimizes the potential for human error and ensures every client has the cleanest, safest experience possible, all while maintaining our commitment to reducing waste whenever possible. Additionally, our staff are all members of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) and AVA is fully APP compliant, which means we adhere to the highest standards of safety, hygiene, and professional ethics within the piercing industry. Inclusivity and ethical practices are equally important to me. As a queer woman, I understand how crucial it is to feel safe and welcome. We’ve gone the extra mile to make AVA a space where everyone belongs. From being fully wheelchair accessible to ensuring our piercing tables accommodate all body types, every detail was designed with comfort and inclusivity in mind.
On the jewelry side, we partner exclusively with brands that align with our values and meet our strict standards for being implant grade and 100% verifiable. The jewelry we carry is ethically sourced, featuring both natural and lab-created gemstones. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for unethical practices, working only with companies that treat their employees fairly, prioritize environmental sustainability, and uphold the integrity of the industry. Jewelry should make you feel good—not just about how it looks, but about where it came from.
Giving back has always been an important part of my life. My partner, Elton, and I are avid animal lovers (we share our home with seven cats!), so we’ve made it a priority to support causes close to our hearts. Every month, we donate to Cuddly, an animal charity we’re passionate about. For every animal-inspired piece of jewelry sold, $10 goes directly to this cause. We even offer custom designs inspired by your favorite animals or created to honor your beloved fur baby.
What’s next?
I’m excited about the future of AVA and our ongoing growth. While we don’t have any huge changes planned right now, we’re always focused on expanding both our services and our jewelry offerings. Our goal is to continue providing the best possible experience for our clients while staying true to our values. I’m also committed to continuing my education in the industry to ensure we’re always at the forefront of the latest trends, techniques, and safety practices. It’s all about offering our clients the highest quality service and keeping AVA a place where people feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Pricing:
- All piercings cost $40 plus the price of whichever jewelry you select
- Jewelry pricing varies based on our current inventory which can all be found on our website
Contact Info:
- Website: avapiercing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avapiercing/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/piercingsbytrinity/
Image Credits
Image 1 photo credit: Body Vision Los Angeles
