Blending Passion and Skills into a Business

“I love working with my customers, creating content, and marketing. I love all of that, and making my hobby actually make money is the dream.”

Faith Marks has always had an entrepreneurial mindset. Using that spirit and skills acquired through Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Business Marketing and Management Program, Marks established Cuppa Coffee, a fresh-roasted coffee business. 

Wanting her customers to have “the best coffee ever and the best experience,” Marks aims to secure the highest-quality beans on the market and roasts them by order in her shop. Marks, who is in her second year at Francis Tuttle, graduated from Epic Charter Schools in May and lives in Cashion. Her parents also attended the technology center and met there as students.

Additionally, Marks does event coffee bars and is working toward getting a trailer to take to various pop-up locations, weddings, and other events. In the future, Marks hopes to open a coffee shop and also work in marketing. 

Inspired by entrepreneurs growing up, including her friend who attended Francis Tuttle and started an HVAC company, Marks has always wanted her own business.

When Natalie Jordan, Business Marketing and Management Instructor, encouraged her students to think about their interests when considering business ideas, Marks immediately knew coffee was the industry she wanted to explore. Marks had previously visited Eote, a roastery in Oklahoma City, and started learning the ins and outs of the coffee business. 

“The coffee industry is super cool, and I’ve always loved coffee and been interested in how it’s made,” Marks shared. “I’m also a big science person, so learning everything that goes into coffee from the temperature to the weather has also been interesting.” 

According to Marks, Francis Tuttle and Jordan have helped her “immensely” as she has learned how to run a business. She has also earned multiple industry certifications, including marketing, business concepts, and entrepreneurship, that reflect the knowledge she has gained in her program. 

Cuppa Coffee products can be purchased online and are available at local stores, including the Rustic Rose Mercantile in Cashion. This fall, the Cuppa Coffee Bar is set up at the mercantile to serve espresso drinks. More information can be found on Cuppa Coffee’s social media pages at cuppa.coffee__ on Instagram and TikTok and Cuppa Coffee Roasters on Facebook.