Meet TINA COUCH | SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR

We had the good fortune of connecting with TINA COUCH and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TINA, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Skull Coffee Co. was born from my love of coffee, Halloween, and art—a natural extension of our prop company and a creative outlet that allowed me to design something both functional and fun for the haunt industry. I wanted to create a brand that fuels the late nights and creative energy of fellow haunters, while celebrating the spooky aesthetic we all love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Art has always been at the heart of everything I do. I’ve been a professional makeup artist for over 30 years and a master airbrush artist in the haunted attraction and prop-building world for the last decade. What sets me apart is that I don’t just create for the sake of making something—I create to inspire, entertain, and connect with people. Whether I’m painting a massive haunt display or designing packaging for Skull Coffee Co., I pour the same level of detail, emotion, and imagination into the process.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to turn my love for coffee, Halloween, and art into a brand that brings people joy. Skull Coffee Co. started in 2022 as a passion project, and it’s grown into something I’m truly excited about—available in local stores, gift shops, trade shows, and online. Designing the artwork was exhilarating, and collaborating with other artists along the way has only pushed my creativity further.

Was it easy? Not even close. Building any business is hard, and I’ve built a few. But I’ve learned that if you’re passionate, you keep going. You make mistakes, you grow, and you don’t quit. That’s been one of the hardest but most valuable lessons—resilience and adaptability are just as important as talent.

What I want the world to know is this: Skull Coffee is more than a label—it’s a lifestyle brand for the haunter community and beyond. I’m just getting started. I have 13 blends so far and my dream is to roast my own coffee, travel the world sourcing beans, and build a brand that’s as bold and unforgettable as the flavors inside every bag.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting, I’d make sure they got the perfect mix of relaxation, nature, adventure—and a whole lot of music and great food. We’d kick off the week with some of my favorite local hiking spots, soaking in Tennessee’s natural beauty, followed by kayaking just down the road from my home—it’s peaceful, scenic, and the perfect way to slow down and catch up. We’d also go horseback riding (I live on a farm, so it’s only a matter of time before I add horses to the mix!), and enjoy evenings around the firepit under the stars.

Mid-week, we’d head into town for some seriously good food. I’d take them to Chuy’s at the Grand Ole Opry for what I believe is the best Chimichanga around—and yes, we’d definitely save room for margaritas!

And of course, no trip to Nashville is complete without hitting Broadway. We’d dive into the honky tonks for live music, dancing, and that electrifying downtown energy that makes Nashville so iconic. Whether it’s listening to the next big star at Tootsie’s or line dancing with strangers who feel like old friends, it’s always a good time.

It’s the kind of week that blends everything I love—nature, art, music, and real connection—and gives someone a true taste of what makes this place so special.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely—my family deserves a huge shoutout. Everything I’ve built, from our haunted house to Skull Coffee Co., has been rooted in our shared passion, creativity, and hard work. We’ve built our prop company and haunt business together from the ground up, and every late night, wild idea, and design challenge was met as a team. Their support—both hands-on and emotional—has been everything. I truly couldn’t have done any of it without them.

Website: https://website.beacons.ai/skullcoffeeco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skullcoffeeco2022/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skullcoffeecodropship

Other: https://rb.gy/svsati

Image Credits
Credit for headshot of me goes to: Walter Chacon