Help with becoming a Tattoo Artist?

I am currently 16 and I am pretty damn sure I want to be a tattoo artist. I am pretty talented with art and such also i just love tattoos. I understand I will need an apprenticeship but im wondering what else I will need to do. I dont want to be 18 sitting on my couch like ok what now. So i guess i need a plan for after high school. What other than talent, money, devotion, and an apprenticeship will I need. I am guessing a portfolio of some sort to show that i have some basic skill, but what should it be of? Also is there anything i can do now to get a head start on this? Thanks in advance!