We recently connected with Cate “crispy aura” and have shared our conversation below.

Cate, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name ‘Crispy Aura’ was inspired by a random compliment from a stranger. During a late-night grocery run, someone quickly passed by me and said, ‘I like your aura, you’re a little tired right now but your aura is really crispy, very nice,’ then walked away. It was such a quirky, unexpected compliment that it stuck with me and became an inside joke with friends. But the more I thought about it, the more it resonated. ‘Crispy Aura’ captures the vibrant, energetic vibe I wanted to bring to my tattoo studio. The name is a nod to and a reminder of the unexpected moments of connection and positivity in everyday life.

Cate, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Welcome to our playground! For those new to Crispy Aura – I’m Cate, the founder and lead artist behind this vibrant space. My journey into the tattoo industry was sparked by an initial attempt to reconnect with my inner child’s deep passion for art and a desire to challenge traditional norms within the field.

We’re a vibrant blend of passion and creativity, on a mission to redefine the traditional tattoo experience. At Crispy Aura, we offer more than just tattoos; we provide an experience. Our studio is a colorful oasis and playground, intentionally designed to feel welcoming and inclusive. To us, tattooing is an art form, an experience, and a celebration of self-expression. We aim to dissolve the intimidating image often associated with tattoo parlors, creating an atmosphere that feels like a warm hug, ensuring each client feels safe and welcomed into a space where their inner child is invited to play and creativity can flourish. We are committed to fostering genuine connections with our clients and between our artists. I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built here – a diverse and supportive family bonded by a shared love for creativity and self-expression. :)

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As an independent artist turned shop owner, one of the biggest lessons I had to learn quickly was how to manage different personalities on a team while keeping everyone feeling supported and inspired. As cliche as it might sound, the key is fostering open communication and trust, ensuring that every team member feels valued and heard. Establishing mutual goals and understanding each individual’s aspirations helps create a sense of unity and purpose. At Crispy Aura, we try to make “work” feel less like work by encouraging play, creativity and joy into our daily routines. By sparking inspiration and offering support, we cultivate a positive and empowering environment where everyone can thrive and bring their best selves to their clients and one another each day.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I believe success in any industry boils down to three things: staying authentic, building meaningful connections, and finding genuine joy and excitement in what you do.

Authenticity resonates with people, and when you remain genuine to your values and vision, it shines through in everything you do. In addition, building meaningful connections and ensuring that each client feels heard and respected in your interactions will pay back tenfold. Lastly, when you genuinely find joy in what you do without expectations of what it may lead to, that sense of excitement can be felt and seen by those around you, attracting your dream clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.crispyaura.com
• Instagram: @_crispyaura, @crispyaura.studio