We recently connected with OVA (Olivia) Velazquez-Alarcon and have shared our conversation below.
Hi OVA (Olivia), thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
Rainbow Calypso, started as a lifelong passion project that flourished over time from my teenage dream to one day open a coffee shop to an elevated concept: Grow a Latina Owned Specialty Vegan Coffee Shop for my Community and Make a Positive Impact.
I have worked in the Specialty Coffee Industry since I was 17, and have been passionate about educating myself with this craft since I was 16 living in Alaska at that time. I’ve worn a variety of hats with an ambitious spirit to continue my education and share what I’ve learned with customers, friends, peers, and anyone who takes a liking to coffee knowledge out of sheer curiosity. The Specialty Coffee Industry has shaped me well over the years, it was a proactive creative outlet and a dream that I soon took upon as a REAL business in January 2022.
I started with my first pop-up at a local DIY Punk House that hosted shows regularly with just a kettle and Hario v60 pour-over, a homemade syrup with almond and oat mylk. From there I felt so proud to have actually taken the FIRST step of putting my business out there. I then progressed t roasting earlier in January 2023 my first coffee from Loja, Ecuador
I roasted my first coffee AND I also popped up for a 3 DAY PUNK ROCK FESTIVAL. I felt alive, and swooned with the idea of continuing forward to show up with Rainbow Calypso at larger events, markets, Latin events, and Music Festivals; specifically catered to rock and roll.
I have always been passionate about Coffee and in addition to this, I am a vibrant creative person who is often seen as a social butterfly manifesting connections in my local music and art groups across the USA. I enjoy singing, creating art, and reading, I get excited about cooking and baking both vegan and raw vegan recipes as well. I’m the kind of person who will often refer herself to as your typical handy tank girl who will work diligently to merge ALL of these creative aspects into a coffee experience.
Rainbow Calypso, is MORE THAN JUST COFFEE. My business is a one-woman Latina Owned operation, a Specialty Vegan Coffee Shop. I create drinks inspired by positive influences, friends, customers in my community. I created a coffee shop pop up for the community; brewing coffee and showcasing drinks that only use ingredients that are local, organic, non-GMO, and also 100% vegan!
On August 8th, 2023 I officially launched my very first GoFundMe Campaign; this was a project I have been working on since March of 2023 much thanks to my friend Quianah Upton, (owner of Nourish Botanica here in Atlanta, GA). Quianah’s guidance and structure helped me organize my plan a little better. The biggest thanks I owe is to my friend Cristobal Arellano; I helped show him how to brew coffee at home, provided equipment, and even made a manual for him to use daily in return for him helping me film the video I use in my GoFundMe Campaign
I am someone who is adamant about providing for my community only in hopes I can make a positive impact and inspire other folks 10 fold. I’m still on this journey as a business owner, a former roaster, and an entrepreneur in the making as I am someone who is always learning and taking insight for what my next move will be.
Every day is a challenge, a lesson, and a risk. As for this next year 2024 I am planning to be more diligent with my business plans, what my next steps will be, and working through my GoFundMe Campaign until I end it November 8th, 2023.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Rainbow Calypso started with a long time passion to share coffee brewed with good intention to all our friends, family, and peers. Rainbow Calypso is an alternative experience; meaning I can give folks something exciting to try! Whether it’s coffee, a pastry, or a cool signature drink with some innovative flavors, herbal tinctures, bright vibrant superfoods; it’s something young people, and sober folks can look forward too. Lastly, to make it even better it showcases a fully Vegan menu.
Every Pop up we incorporate new syrups to flavor hot and iced coffee, in addition to creating one of a kind fun signature drinks! Everything on our menu is 100% vegan, ingredients thoughtfully selected, and coffee brewed with good intention 
As a small business, we have goals to expand into a full fledged food truck to serve up pastries, sandwiches, and delicious food in addition to also acquiring an espresso machine and expanding our drink menu!
A Little More About OVA and Rainbow Calypso’s Beginnings:
Hi my name is OVA and I am the face behind all the magic that makes Rainbow Calypso – A Specialty Vegan Coffee Shop. I’m originally from Alaska, that’s where i grew up. Back then I experienced a few challenges and had no ambition in life. It was at my most darkest time where I got this crazy idea from the Universe to pursue a career to open a coffee shop. From that young age I could see that working in Specialty Coffee gave me a a creative outlet to start something worthwhile and really find a community where I knew other folks loved coffee just as much as i did. It was at this moment I knew that I found my true passion and would one day make my dream a reality.
Now, almost 13 years later I am still in fact working in coffee; chasing my dreams, and putting every ounce of energy to provide a worthwhile experience as a local pop up business.
Most of all, Rainbow Calypso’s mission is to bring friends, family, and peers together as a community to highlight a small moment of your day with a delicious drink.I’m always happy to share my business and introduce Rainbow Calypso for all new comers. There are a lot of folks I can thank for keeping me inspired to never give up!
We want to be Georgia’s first 100% Specialty Vegan Coffee Shop; a public space that will follow the Specialty Coffee Association’s worldwide recommended standards for brewing coffee and creating espresso beverages. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to have discovered Les Dames d’Escoffier; this organization covered my costs with grants to help me acquire my certifications with the Specialty Coffee Association – roughly $5,000. I want to hire partners to work with me at Rainbow Calypso to also offer the same resources to help women further their education and strive for greatness. This is why I am addimant to set my bar high when I make you a cup of coffee, prepare an innovative special drink, and cook you a clean, but delicious vegan sandwich and pastry. I set the bar high to give you the best experience ever in thanks for your support with Rainbow Calypso!
We are a business that is 100% Vegan; everything on our menu is thoughtfully selected. This includes my friends with Verb Coffee Roasters, Color Cold Brew, Tanbrown Coffee, Third Culture Coffee, Roseman’s Remedies, La Dolce Madness, Revolution Doughnuts, Shelter Built Coffee, Bliss Bars, and Sevananda Coop, (including Non GMO, organic, local items here in GA.)
It’s More than Just Coffee!
If you know me or whether you’ve just now met me, OVA and Rainbow Calypso I want to tell you I just LOVE seeing folks come together for a good cause. Over all my years working in coffee I can see how this practice gives folks a moment to catch up with an old friend, to get some work done on their ideas, bringing friends and families together from all walks of life. Coffee is an amazing experience.
Currently I do pop ups at Punk Shows and Punk Festivals. Why? Well, one thing’s for sure I have seen a lot of the newer generation (punk youth) coming out supporting these shows! And I’m also seeing a lot of folks prefer not to drink, or have chosen to be sober and still come out to also support punk shows. – good angle
Rainbow Calypso is an alternative experience; meaning I can give folks something exciting to try! Whether it’s coffee, a pastry, or a cool signature drink with some innovative flavors, herbal tinctures, bright vibrant superfoods; it’s something young people, and sober folks can look forward too. Lastly, to make it even better it showcases a fully Vegan menu.
I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from folks really appreciating seeing this concept of selling coffee at punk shows and this inspires me to also keep progressing forward with the idea of ANOTHER goal to showcase Rainbow Calypso annually at larger punk festivals and spread the word nation wide!
Have you ever had to pivot?
If I can have a brief moment to express this small ounce of vulnerability it would be this:
Keep Progressing Forward as much as you can, work on meditation, work on yourself, if you really want to have a successful business, You, as the main person orchestrating the entire business as a whole; you must be in a healthy state of mind, body and spirit.
This is my biggest lesson I have discovered this year. My business is also not a personal passion project anymore either. It is a Progressive Project where I man tship to not only sell coffee and vibrant drinks; I’m creating a business that can make a positive impact for my community. I’m building a business that wants to support other local businesses and show everyone thriving in harmony.
This entire year thus far hasn’t necessarily been a pivot but my personal life did have major transformation, a lot of change and uncertainty. For me I had to find the courage to remember to ask for help from my family and friends when I felt I couldn’t turn to anyone. I also had to take a step back re-evaluate where I really want to take my lyfe and also how I’d like to execute with my business Rainbow Calypso moving forward.
I can say; if you’re truly passionate about your work you’ll love what you do regardless of how big and small your wins are. Every accomplishment is one well-deserved and while everyone is on their own seperate paths; you are doing a great job in your lane. That’s what makes Rainbow Calypso a unique business venture for me.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Rainbow Calypso is fully funded out of my pocket. It has had it’s challenges while working a full time job and also supporting myself, and my bills. I’ve recently launched a GoFundMe Campaign to raise funds from my community to get back to roasting coffee as well as grow this pop up business into a daily operational vegan coffee food truck.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rainbowcalypso.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrainbowcalypso/
- Other: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-rainbow-calypso-to-life?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=widget&utm_campaign=p_cp%2Bshare-sheet
Image Credits
@adequate_chad Chad Edwards for some of the images- please reach out to me for more information!