How It All Began… That One Crazy Night!

My name is Maria J. Pinto, and my best friend, Mary Randles, is a breast cancer survivor who underwent a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction. One Saturday night in September 2022, we were out in West Hartford, CT, with my sister, Erica Pinto, her husband, Adam Parker, and our high school best friend, Loren Rubino. We were all discussing the cost for Mary to have her nipples tattooed when Loren had a lightbulb moment and said, “Why don’t Erica and you try tattooing? You’re artists!” We all jumped in, excited by the idea, thinking, “Let’s get a tattoo gun, practice on fake skin—we can totally do this!

In that moment, it struck me like a bolt of lightning: you can’t master tattooing overnight! But with nearly 30 years as a manufacturer in the body piercing and tattoo industry, I recognized a unique opportunity to unite artists and sponsors for a greater cause. This was the turning point. I knew our body piercing and tattoo community would embrace our mission, and together, we’d quickly build a dream team of artists and sponsors.

Next came the name. As we brainstormed, inspired by Mary’s passion for fashion and beauty, I shouted at the top of my lungs, “House of Nipple!” I immediately bought the web addresses, trademarked the name within 24 hours, and began the process of applying for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. We were on our way!

The best part of this story is that Mary almost didn’t go out that infamous Saturday night because she wasn’t feeling well. She sipped hot water with lemon as the four of us discussed her having no nipples over drinks (many drinks!) We laughed, as we always do, but deep in my heart, I knew we were going to Change The World Together, One 3D Nipple At A Time.

And so, the House of Nipple began, born from laughter, love, and a shared vision to make a difference for many others like Mary.