Meet Annika Baylis of Prickly Pear Coffee Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annika Baylis

Hi Annika, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I could write a whole book (+ honestly hope to some day do that) about the story behind PPCC. But for lack of space on a webpage, here’s the short version:

I believe that my generation needs Jesus. I believe that He meets us where we’re at. That He leaves the 99 to chase the one. So, if we are a generation that spends so much time in coffee shops, Jesus will meet us here too! This idea is the ultimate backbone and mission of Prickly Pear Coffee Co. This is “coffee ministry,” as I like to call it! It’s not necessarily sharing the gospel every time we serve a cup, but rather, being a place where customers would feel welcomed + seen, each time they encounter our brand. A place that build relationships and allows us to do life alongside all types of people.

I have always dreamed about opening a Christ-centered coffee shop, because coffee brings people together, sparks conversation, and overall there is just something so joyous about local coffee shops! As the months of the Covid pandemic lockdown gnawed at me to do something creative, I stumbled upon the idea of a mobile espresso bar. When sharing this idea with a few people close to me, I ultimately decided that this could be an amazing brand-building precursor to the shop that I have dreamed of opening. From there, we kept growing, the Lord kept opening doors I could never have dreamed of, and now, Prickly Pear Coffee Co. exists as a mobile catering cart and 2 brick + mortar coffee shops in Nashville, Tennessee.

While being an entrepreneur, I also earned a college degree in entrepreneurship. I am so excited to continue to learn as we grow, and encounter all that the Lord has in store for this little dream of mine! I am blown away by the amount of support in these first few years. Thank you for supporting small!

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?
On a personal level, a big part of my story of entrepreneurship has been struggling with imposter syndrome.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that imposter syndrome never truly goes away—it just becomes something you learn to manage and use for good. In the early stages of my journey, I often struggled with feelings of self-doubt and fear of not being “enough.” But I’ve come to see that these feelings can either hold you back or fuel your growth. Instead of letting imposter syndrome turn into fear or paralysis, I learned to channel it into resilience and motivation. When I felt uncertain, I reminded myself, *”I may not know everything, but I am committed to learning.”* This mindset allowed me to stay focused on progress and growth, rather than perfection. If you feel like an imposter, don’t be afraid of those emotions. Embrace them, and use them to push yourself to grow and challenge your assumptions. Everyone feels this way at some point—what matters is how you respond to it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Prickly Pear Coffee Co.?
Prickly Pear Coffee Co. is an espresso bar in Nashville, Tennessee. Our goal is to combine the truth of the gospel with our passion for coffee. Across our two coffee shops and a coffee cart, we strive for everyone to feel loved whenever they encounter our delicious, handcrafted coffee drinks and friendly, welcoming staff.

Prickly Pear Coffee Co.’s unique value proposition lies in our commitment to delivering an exceptionally sustainable and community-driven coffee experience. Our carefully sourced, premium-grade coffee beans are roasted locally in Gallatin, and in Cookeville, Tennessee. Our expertly trained baristas skillfully craft each cup of espresso using state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring consistent quality and flavor in every pour. But we don’t stop at just great coffee. Our mission goes beyond serving great coffee, as we hope to be in our city for our city, with multiple facets for giving back. We’re excited to bring our unique menu, quality, and community to Nashville, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One surprising thing that most people might not know about me is that I’m only 23 years old and I started my business when I was just 18! It’s easy to think that someone running a business has been at it for years, but I’ve been building and growing since I was a teenager. It’s been a wild ride, and while I’ve learned a ton, I’m still amazed at how far I’ve come in such a short amount of time. Starting young definitely shaped my perspective and gave me a lot of hustle, but it also means I’m always working on balancing ambition with still figuring out who I am and what I want long-term.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pricklypearcoffee.com
• Instagram: @pricklypearcoffeeco