We recently had the chance to connect with Ignacio Suárez and have shared our conversation below.
Ignacio, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building is the emotional structure behind everything I do. It’s the part nobody can tattoo, photograph, or post. It’s the quiet discipline, the years of self-belief when no one was paying attention, and the resilience it took to create my own path without losing myself in the process.
People see the final result. They see the artwork, the technique, the recognition. But they don’t see the internal architecture I’ve been shaping this whole time. The ability to create from a place that is honest, vulnerable, and still powerful. That is what holds everything together. And that is what I’m truly proud of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ignacio and I’m the founder of Cacho Tattoo. I’m a tattoo artist, but more than that, I’m a visual storyteller. Everything I create is rooted in precision, emotion, and identity. I specialize in fine-line, single-needle work, but what truly defines my style is the intention behind it. I treat every tattoo like a permanent piece of art that carries meaning, memory, and a bit of soul.
Cacho Tattoo is more than a studio. It’s a universe. It’s built around the idea of rebellion with warmth, nostalgia with edge, elegance with mischief. It’s a space where creativity feels personal and alive. I’ve always believed that good tattooing is not just about aesthetics. It’s about listening, observing, and translating someone’s inner world into something permanent and beautiful.
Right now I’m working on expanding the brand into new territories including design, fashion, and storytelling through visual language. Whether it’s through my characters, my artwork, or the space I have built here in Los Angeles, the goal is always the same. To make something real. Something that leaves a mark in every sense.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My family. I grew up as a very introverted and insecure kid. I doubted myself constantly and went through long stretches of time where I didn’t believe in my skills or what I was capable of doing with them. But my family always saw something bigger in me, even when I couldn’t.
They believed in my potential before I could recognize it. They saw an artist when I still saw someone trying. They encouraged me to aim higher, to dream bigger, and to never settle for less than my best. That belief system became the foundation I built everything else on. I would not be where I am today without their support, their faith, and the space they gave me to grow into the person and artist I was always meant to become.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I feel like giving up more often than people might think. I battle with imposter syndrome almost every week. It’s hard not to be hard on yourself when you’re living in a society ruled by social media, where success is constantly being displayed and curated. Whether you want it or not, comparison sneaks in and starts to weigh on you.
Living and trying to grow in a city like Los Angeles multiplies that pressure. This city demands the best from you and then asks for more. The competition is everywhere, around the corner and right over your shoulder. You can’t slow down without feeling like someone is about to pass you.
Trying to build something real from the ground up in that kind of environment is not easy. But I always lean on my close circle to remind me who I am, to help me gather belief and strength when I feel low. They remind me I can do this. And that is what keeps me going. One day at a time, one step at a time, like climbing a ladder toward something bigger. Each win, each goal, becomes another rung I refuse to skip.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies is that tattoos should not be priced like art. That they are just accessories or cheap souvenirs that anyone should be able to get quickly and for little money. I completely reject that idea.
Tattoos should be seen as art pieces. As wearable works of design, emotion, and craftsmanship. I see them as luxury items, closer to fine jewelry than fast fashion. They carry permanence, symbolism, identity. They deserve time, intention, and respect.
Undervaluing tattoos just for the sake of accessibility has created a culture of rushing through something that should be sacred. Good tattooing is not about getting something fast or cheap. It is about creating something meaningful and lasting. And the pricing should reflect that level of value and care.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I’ve never done it for the praise. I give my best no matter what, no matter where, no matter who is watching. If I show up, I show up fully. I put all of myself into what I do because that is who I am. That is how I am built.
Even when people do praise it, I often struggle to fully believe it. I have a hard time receiving compliments or letting them sink in. So I usually walk away with a feeling that maybe I could have done more. Maybe I could have pushed harder, reached deeper, delivered better. That mindset makes me wake up the next day telling myself we have to go further than yesterday. That kind of thinking keeps me moving, constantly trying to outgrow my past self.
Maybe I should learn to take it easier. Maybe I should learn to pause and take in the wins. But the truth is, I don’t know how to do that yet. What I do know is that I will keep showing up with everything I’ve got, because that is the only way I know how to do this.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Cachotattoo.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/cachotattoo
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/cacho-tattoo-studio-san-fernando-valley-5
