Meet Champa Thao

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Champa Thao. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Champa below.

Hi Champa, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

My journey started in the beauty industry over a decade ago, but I always knew I wanted more than surface-level transformation. I wanted connection. When I discovered fine-line tattooing, it felt like everything finally clicked — it was my outlet for storytelling, healing, and creating something that lived beyond the moment.

Finding my purpose wasn’t about a single ‘aha’ moment — it came from burnout, self-doubt, and realizing that I was meant to build something meaningful, not just successful. Over the years, I turned my pain and growth into my message. I learned that purpose evolves — it grows as we do. Today, my purpose is not just tattooing — it’s mentoring, teaching, and reminding others that you can build a life and career that reflects who you truly are.

I think purpose comes when you start honoring what pulls at your heart instead of what pleases others. Once I leaned into that, everything aligned — my business, my art, and my sense of fulfillment.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Champa — most people know me as Thao Tatu. I’m a Fine Line tattoo artist and educator, and my journey into this industry has been anything but traditional. I actually started in the beauty world over a decade ago, but as I grew, my art evolved with me. Tattooing became my way of expressing emotion, connecting with people, and creating something meaningful that lasts forever.

What I love most about what I do is the intention behind it. Every tattoo I create tells a story — not just through design, but through the energy shared between artist and client. I’ve always believed that art should make people feel something, and that’s what I aim to bring into every session and every conversation I have with clients and other artists.

Now, my work has expanded beyond tattooing. I’ve launched educational programs that teach artists not just the technical side, but also how to build a brand that feels aligned with who they are. I am all about helping others find their confidence and creative freedom.

I’ve recently opened my tattoo studio in October located in North Raleigh which is a space built on creativity, connection, and community. At the end of the day, my mission is to remind people that success doesn’t have to mean losing yourself in the process — it’s about creating intentionally, staying true to your art, and doing it with heart.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful things in my journey have been resilience, intentionality, and self-belief.

Resilience taught me how to keep showing up — even when things didn’t go as planned. The tattoo industry, like any creative path, is full of trial and error. I learned to see setbacks as redirection instead of failure. My advice to anyone starting out: don’t be afraid to start messy. Every “mistake” is a stepping stone toward mastery.

Intentionality changed everything for me. It shifted how I created, how I worked with clients, and how I built my brand. When you move with intention, your work carries meaning, and people feel that. My advice — don’t just focus on being good at your craft; focus on why you do it. That clarity will guide your decisions and attract the right opportunities.

And lastly, self-belief — that’s the foundation of it all. There were so many moments where I doubted if I was good enough or ready enough, but I learned that confidence doesn’t come from validation — it comes from commitment. My advice is to trust that version of yourself who had the courage to start. If you keep showing up, your confidence will grow in the doing.

At the end of the day, skills can be taught, but mindset is built. The more you learn to trust yourself and lead with purpose, the more everything else begins to align.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been learning to lead with trust and alignment — both in my art and in my business. This past year stretched me in so many ways: expanding my studio, launching new educational programs, and stepping deeper into mentorship required me to shift from just being an artist to becoming a true leader.

I had to learn how to trust my intuition, delegate, and create space for balance. That meant slowing down at times, saying no to things that didn’t align, and focusing on the projects that truly reflected my purpose. It’s been a year of realizing that growth isn’t about doing more — it’s about becoming more grounded, intentional, and confident in who you are and what you stand for.

That mindset shift has changed everything — from how I approach my art, to how I mentor students, to how I run my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thaotatu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaotatu