Spiked. Needs Your Help!

I, Brittani, owner of Spiked Coffee, have a family business history that exists in symbiosis with the community. My grandfather London Joe Farley owned a dry-cleaning business in Tulsa for 56 years, leading to his recognition as Tulsa’s most successful businessman, as well as the longest open Black-owned business. He had a saying that has become one of my guiding principles in everything she does: “Take a stand, decide what you want to do, and just get after it.” To this day, I still frequent his old stomping grounds, visiting the monument created in his honor to remind herself of her family’s legacy and to provide her with inspiration.

I started Spiked. out of a love for coffee, cocktails, and community. The idea was first formed in 2015 during an entrepreneurship course at OSU. The course's project was to launch a coffee cart on campus; over the years, that coffee cart’s popularity grew and today is now a full-service coffee shop in the Spears School of Business building on OSU’s campus. I couldn’t shake one thought: this is great, but wouldn’t it be awesome if the drinks were spiked? So, I wrote the idea down in one of my journals I carried around when moments of inspiration struck, and there it stayed, waiting for the right moment to be rediscovered. And now, here we are, Spiking Coffee!

Spiked. was launched to create opportunities for people of color within Northeast Oklahoma City and to provide a connection for everyone who has a love or curiosity about coffee, cocktails, or the unique aim to mix the two together. I hope to honor the vibrant Northeast community while helping it keep pace with the burgeoning urban renaissance, and Spiked. is taking part by dedicating space for community needs while offering a taste of coffee/cocktail culture, and a delectable menu designed to appeal to any craving, whether savory or sweet. Our goal is to provide a safe space for everyone without forgetting about the immediate community. With this loan, Spiked. will be more visible as cars drive by and will be able to continue providing coffee cocktails that everyone loves!

With this grant, we will create a welcoming outside experience by adding signage, seating, and proper lighting to enhance the outdoor customer experience. In addition, we will renew our current licenses to be able to Spike Coffee, while also increasing our payroll for current staff.