Business
BY KATLYNN FOX
James Dupper got his rst tattoo when he was eighteen years old in the U.S. Army. From then on, he was hooked. While stationed at Fort Hood, he spent his days working on base and his nights training as a tattoo apprentice. “I couldn’t believe that this was someone’s job [and] they got to just tattoo people all day,” James Dupper said. “After that, I just spent all my time trying to gure out how to become a tattooer.” The background After his time in the Army ended, Dupper and his wife, Brooke, opened their rst shop in Killeen in 2015. Brooke Dupper was a full-time educator, instructional coach and assistant principal until four years ago when the couple opened their second location, Iron Rite Tattoo South, in Georgetown. Dig deeper Brooke and James Dupper expanded their brand again in January 2025 with Cedar Park’s rst tattoo shop, Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo. “We had 12 walk-ins [on] our rst day open,” Brooke Dupper said. “It was a Wednesday and... ever since then, we’re so thankful that we literally just hit the ground running.” The process of opening the city’s rst studio required several steps. It took the couple about six months to nd a landlord willing to rent to them, and another three months to obtain a special use permit. Cedar Park City Council approved the special use permit Nov. 21. “Obviously, it was really hard to get in here, but once they let us in, it’s been the best city I’ve ever owned a business in by far,” James Dupper said. What they o er Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo features seven artists spe- cializing in American and Japanese traditional-style art. However, the shop tries to oer something suited to everyone’s taste, James Dupper said. “We have artists who [do] portraits [and] I do a lot of ne line stu,” he said. “We try to steer the client to the right artist for the job.” The shop oers custom tattoos or pre-drawn ash designs. Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo also accepts walk-ins daily with an emphasis on quality customer service. “We want everybody to have a good time from the second they walk in until when they’re done,” Brooke Dupper said. “We really care. It’s Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo oers all styles as Cedar Park’s rst tattoo shop
Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo accepts appointments and daily walk-ins. The shop has seven artists on sta.
KATLYNN FOXCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Owners Brooke and James Dupper opened their rst tattoo shop in Killeen in 2015 before expanding to Georgetown and Cedar Park.
The tattoo shop specializes in American and Japanese traditional art styles.
COURTESY DON’T TELL MAMA TATTOO
KATLYNN FOXCOMMUNITY IMPACT
on your body forever. So, we want them to be happy with it [and] we want to be happy with the quality of our work.” What’s next In 2026, the shop will host three ash events to commemorate Friday the 13th in February, March and November. Artists will create individual designs, and Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo plans to have door prizes, raes and local vendors at the events.
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401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 102-A, Cedar Park www.donttellmamatattoo.com
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CEDAR PARK EDITION
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