Business Name: Avanti Tattoo

Year Established: 2019

Owner: Michele Toon

Website/Phone #: www.avantitattoo.com (970)949-7994

What inspired you to start your business or organization? I've always been drawn to helping people feel better about themselves. As a nurse, I spent years caring for people in healthcare, and after a career in corporate sales, I knew I wanted to build something that made a positive impact. When the opportunity to buy Avanti Tattoo came along, I saw more than a tattoo shop—I saw a place where people could celebrate milestones, express themselves, heal after life's challenges, and leave feeling more confident. It combined everything I was looking for: helping people, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Building a welcoming, inclusive shop where talented artists can thrive and clients feel comfortable from the moment they walk in has been incredibly rewarding.

How would you describe your business in one sentence? Avanti Tattoo is more than a tattoo shop—it's a place where people feel welcome, inspired, and cared for.

What’s a goal you’re working toward this year? Right now, our biggest goal is to continue building Avanti Tattoo into the shop people think of first—not just for incredible tattoos and piercings, but for the experience. We want every client to feel welcomed, cared for, and excited to come back. That means supporting our artists, staying involved in our community, and always looking for ways to raise the bar.

If someone walked into your business for the first time, what experience would you hope they have? I want someone walking into Avanti Tattoo for the first time to immediately feel welcomed and comfortable. A lot of people are nervous when they walk into a tattoo shop, especially if it’s their first experience, so we want to create an environment where they feel listened to, respected, and excited about the process. We take the time to understand their story and what they’re hoping to create. We want them to leave feeling like they were truly cared for—not just like they bought a service.

What's something people are often surprised to learn about what you do? People are often surprised to learn that a tattoo studio can be about so much more than tattoos. Yes, our artists create custom artwork, but we’re also part of some of people's most personal moments—helping someone celebrate who they are, mark an important milestone, regain confidence after surgery, or simply express themselves in a meaningful way. With my nursing background, safety and care have always been at the heart of what we do, and our artists bring incredible creativity and skill to every piece they create. We want people to walk in feeling comfortable, welcomed, and understood—and leave feeling a little more confident.

What’s something people should know about your team or company culture? Something I think people should know about our team is that our culture is built on collaboration, respect, and genuinely caring about people. Our artists are incredibly talented and each has their own unique style, but what makes Avanti special is that they support each other and are committed to creating the best experience possible for every client. When I bought Avanti, one of my biggest goals was to create the kind of workplace where artists could do their best work while also feeling supported and respected. We’ve worked hard to create a studio where creativity thrives, artists feel valued, and clients feel like they’re part of our community.

What’s one word you hope customers associate with your business? Unexpected. I think a lot of people walk into a tattoo studio with a preconceived idea of what that experience will be, and we love surprising them. Avanti is a place where incredible artistry, professionalism, and genuine human connection come together. Whether someone is here for a tattoo, piercing, permanent cosmetics, or a more personal service, we want them to discover a studio that feels different from what they expected.

What motivates you personally or professionally? What motivates me most is creating something that has a positive impact on people’s lives. I’ve always been drawn to helping others, which is what led me to nursing, and that same desire to make a difference continues to guide me as a business owner. I’m energized by building something meaningful—a place where clients feel valued, artists feel supported, and creativity can thrive. 

I’m also proud that Avanti gives us the opportunity to give back to the community that supports us. Whether it’s supporting local organizations, participating in community events, or donating tattoo and piercing experiences for silent auctions and fundraisers, it’s rewarding to know our business can help make a difference beyond our own walls. 

Ultimately, what motivates me is connection—the opportunity to help people feel more confident, create opportunities for talented artists, and build something that has a lasting, positive impact.