Hustle Diaries: Brother Tip Tattoo & Art
At Brother Tip Tattoo & Art creativity isn’t just art — it’s identity. It’s healing, storytelling, and the courage to rewrite the paths we come from. This week on Hustle Diaries, we’re spotlighting Brother Tip Tattoo & Art, a movement born from resilience, whakapapa, and the unwavering belief that our people deserve spaces where they can create, belong, and rise. Led by Atawhai Tipene and her father, this studio isn’t just producing tattoos — it’s building community, empowering entrepreneurs, and turning lived experience into purpose-driven artistry.
Born From Survival, Built From Purpose
Brother Tip Tattoo & Art was founded in 2024 as a father-and-daughter duo, named after my dad and our last name, Tipene. We come from Whirinaki in the Far North. My dad spent much of his life within the justice system, what began as survival at a young age led into petty crime, and he spent around 90% of his childhood and adult life in and out of prison.
My name is Atawhai. I am my father’s eldest child, and I became a young mum at just 14. I had to grow up fast learn life and change the narrative and I’ve now been an entrepreneur for over 10 years. I witnessed everything I didn’t want to become, and those experiences shaped my path forward.
I created Brother Tip Tattoo & Art as a place for my dad to belong in society again. As my father began to heal through art, we created our own space free from judgement where we could express ourselves authentically and allow everyone who walked through our doors to do the same. What started as a tattoo and art studio has grown into a house of creatives, filled with artists and entrepreneurs who design, tattoo, create, and heal through their passions.
Our focus is on empowerment, inspiration, and uplifting our Māori and Polynesian communities but we are not limited to them. Brother Tip Tattoo & Art is a safe space, a second home. For many of us who are neurodiverse with big thoughts and even bigger dreams, it’s a place where we truly belong. Alongside our creative work, we’ve built our own education pathway, helping our people step into entrepreneurship. We also give back through community work, including free rangatahi workshops and programmes. Every part of Brother Tip Tattoo & Art has been built from lived experience, resilience, and purpose. We’ve worked incredibly hard to become the space we are today.
Our focus is on empowerment, inspiration, and uplifting our Māori and Polynesian communities but we are not limited to them. Brother Tip Tattoo & Art is a safe space, a second home. For many of us who are neurodiverse with big thoughts and even bigger dreams, it’s a place where we truly belong. Alongside our creative work, we’ve built our own education pathway, helping our people step into entrepreneurship. We also give back through community work, including free rangatahi workshops and programmes. Every part of Brother Tip Tattoo & Art has been built from lived experience, resilience, and purpose. We’ve worked incredibly hard to become the space we are today.
Your Number One Tip For Anyone Just Getting Into Business?
My advice to you is to start before you feel ready. You don’t need to have everything perfect or every answer figured out clarity comes through action. Stay consistent, back yourself even when it’s hard, and don’t let fear of judgement stop you. Build something that has meaning to you, not just money attached to it. When your purpose is strong, you’ll find a way through every challenge.
Your Journey’s Turning Point, What Mistake Taught You The Most?
One of the biggest lessons I learned early on was trying to do everything on my own. I thought I had to carry every role, fix every problem, and never ask for help. That led to burnout, slowed our growth, and taught me that strength isn’t found in doing everything alone it’s found in building the right team around you.
That lesson shaped the way I now lead Brother Tip Tattoo & Art. I prioritise collaboration, clear systems, shared responsibility, and trust. It allowed the business to grow in a healthy, sustainable way, and it also taught me how important it is to protect your energy as a leader.
What’s Been A Total
Game-Changer For Your Success?
Building a strong foundation by removing chaos and simplifying everything. Following a clear 1–2–3 system across our operations has been a game-changer it’s created structure, consistency, and accountability. When things are clear and simple, decisions become easier, teams perform better, and growth becomes sustainable.
If People Only Remembered One Thing About Your Business, What Would It Be…..
I hope people remember that we are professional, delivering quality work, while also inspiring others to chase their dreams no matter their background or upbringing. We want people to embrace and love their authentic selves and to see that it’s possible to turn your talents into a space you love to be in every day, instead of taking any job just to survive. Brother Tip Tattoo & Art is about creating a life and work you’re proud of, built on passion, purpose, and creativity.
More Than a Studio — It’s a Whānau
Brother Tip Tattoo & Art isn’t just a business it’s a community, a home, and a movement. We’ve built a space where creativity, healing, and entrepreneurship come together, where everyone is free to be their true self, and where dreams aren’t just encouraged they’re made possible. Every tattoo, every workshop, and every connection we create is a step toward empowering others to live boldly, create fearlessly, and belong fully.
Want to Be Featured in Hustle Diaries? We’re always on the lookout for small business owners with real stories to tell. If you’ve built something from scratch, taken risks, or learned the hard way—your journey matters. Get in touch and let’s share your hustle with the world.
