Today we’d like to introduce you to Barythaya Lunsford.
Hi Barythaya; please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2015, I came with a friend to Fallen Sparrow Tattoo Company as moral support for her tattoo appointment. Being new to the tattoo industry, I had yet to learn how long sessions took or what quite entailed staying for an appointment. I quickly found myself with nothing to do, only a couple of hours in, and needless to say. I was very bored. I was then offered a tablet to doodle on by the artist and owner, Legion Avegno; by the end of the tattoo session, I had done a digital color portrait and handed the tablet back to him. He complimented my work and offered me an apprenticeship, which I jokingly obliged. After that, I would tag along to each session and discuss this possible apprenticeship until, one day, I took him up on the offer. I’ll never forget that my first day was on April Fools. Thank goodness it wasn’t a joke, or I wouldn’t be here doing this interview.
My apprenticeship took approximately a year to complete, and I faced many trials and tribulations, as one does getting into any niche industry. The first year or so of my career also tested me in ways I never knew I could be. You stumble and fall in every which way, then one day, you’re at the top of the mountain and wonder how you made it. Thankfully, those who get through these challenges tend to find themselves much stronger than before. I continued my career path, where I found my calling as an artist and entrepreneur until COVID-19 forced me to pause. In retrospect, my coffee business wouldn’t have opened for many years had I not been forced to quarantine and ultimately simmer alone with my thoughts. It finally allowed me to sit down and flesh out my business plan and budget, seek capital, and do many other menial tasks included in starting a business. From then on, I lived and breathed XO Coffee until it opened and grew to be what it is today! I couldn’t be more grateful for the hard reset we all received, albeit at a tough time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Thankfully, it has not been a smooth road in the slightest. Being an apprentice during the time I was learning was still rather traditional in that students were hazed routinely or paid very little, if at all. It was just part of the experience as an apprentice that I have come to appreciate, as it has fortified me in many ways. The mental fortitude I now have has allowed me to face many of life’s challenges with more composure than most of those around me in a similar setting or age group, and for that, I have a lot of gratitude.
Facing larger challenges lets, you know that you are growing. When it comes to opening a business and maintaining one as a new owner, the struggles seem endless. Still, with every new hurdle that becomes conquered, I become wiser and gain more composure again. It is quite an opportunity that not many get to have.
We’ve been impressed with XO Coffee Shop / Fallen Sparrow Tattoo Company Artist, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a business owner, choosing a location for my coffee shop was the most important aspect of making this dream a reality. XO Coffee Shop is a craft coffee spot in Kissimmee, Florida, where it is conveniently located near Disney World and many attractions in the Kissimmee area. This was because Kissimmee has few small businesses where locals and tourists can share and feel that it is theirs. Most, if not all of the time, businesses in this area tend to cater to tourists alone and don’t offer up a space for locals also to visit. Ideally, I wanted to create a space that beckoned both parties to come and seek refuge for whatever reason, whether for a quiet journaling session, an hour of their favorite novel, or an intimate date over a hot beverage, XO Coffee Shop would be there.
XO Coffee Shop is known for its homemade syrups, amazing coffee and teas, and the perfect ambiance. It is a cozy getaway from the tourist traps you find just minutes from the intersection it is located at. There are so many coffee shops that have saturated Orlando that our location in Kissimmee instead sets us apart just by that alone. We have come a long way since we opened a year and two months ago. The baristas, my amazing general manager, and I have all grown so much together. It is quite a fantastic experience. Having regulars and receiving praise on the caramel we made that morning- you can’t beat it. Stop in before your morning commute or on the way to the parks; we promise it will be worthwhile and then some.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have had so many mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients, etcetera, that have guided me throughout the years that I could not possibly name them all. I would have to thank my mother, of course, and my boss and mentor, Legion, for allowing me to make something of myself as a Tattoo Artist. Tony is my business partner, and I have to thank them for entrusting me with this XO coffee shop vision. All of my clients both as a Tattooer and coffee shop owner– I must give credit where it is due. We are all just a grain of sand, but we make the sand castle together!
Contact Info:
- Website: xocoffeeshop.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/xocoffeeshop
Image Credits
Love Is Me Photography (Michelle)
