would some artist could share the way they got started in their profession whether piercing artist or tattoo artist so it could help others to get a foot hold

I worked my ass off on artwork for most of my life, took advice where I could get it, worked on my artwork more, got told many times that I would never find an apprenticeship. Stuck to my guns and finally got one when I was 24. It's not easy. Hell. I looked in 3 different cities before I found an apprenticeship. It's all about footwork, artwork, and starving. Making friends with artists helps, bringing them coffee and donuts works wonders too. Expect nothing, and try to soak up any information you can get. Take artwork into shops, without mentioning the word "apprenticeship", ask for honest critiques. accept the critique even if they tell you it sucks.