Evangeline Fox ’23 is parlaying her human development major into an entrepreneurship opportunity by opening a coffee truck in St. Petersburg. Photo provided by Evangeline Fox.
A human development major. Constructing a theater production set. Art classes.
“I’m 100% positive that all translates into me being a barista,” says Evangeline Fox, ’23.
Evangeline’s Cafe is her soon-to-open coffee truck, which will operate out of a Japanese kei truck. Fox refers to herself as a military kid, and she lived in Japan for five years. Japanese culture influenced Fox, laying the groundwork for her choice of the kei truck.
In high school, Fox wanted to be a marine biologist. When researching colleges, she came across Eckerd and was sold on its location and pet-friendly nature. During Autumn Term, she was attracted to other disciplines and eventually landed as a human development major.
For her senior capstone project, Fox interviewed someone over the age of 65 and compared five of their life events to two different theories she learned in human development courses. During her time at Eckerd, she volunteered as a carpenter, built a set for a theater production, and shot photos for the student news publication.
Evangeline Fox ’23. Photo by Madison DeVore ’25.
Evangeline’s Cafe will serve a variety of flavored coffees and teas. Photo by Madison DeVore ’25
“Having my human development degree has helped me understand when I’m talking to a customer who’s 25 and then I’m talking to a customer who’s 55,” she says, “I can sort of code switch. I know where you’re at in life even though I don’t know anything about you.”
After college, Fox began working at a Kahwa Coffee. She began working at the register, but advanced to barista, assistant manager and manager. Fox says each position helped her learn different aspects of the coffee industry, from making beverages and customer interaction to the backend of payroll, ordering and consumption rate. Now, Fox is branching out and starting her own business.
Fox says she considered working in therapy, but she was eager to start something of her own. The coffee world has shown her that she can translate her skills to talk with people, while bringing in other passions like being artistic with latte art and using her hands to build the truck’s interior.
“A lot of people were like, ‘why the truck?’” Fox says, explaining that the truck allows her to get her foot in the door while eliminating costs like rent. Not to mention, her business is mobile. By fitting into a normal parking spot or garage space, Fox can bring her coffee to markets and businesses and consider catering.
Fox is finalizing the menu, and many drinks are named for people who are special to her.
The Evangeline beverage features vanilla and hazelnut, her favorite flavors. A fig-flavored matcha is inspired by her best friend from Eckerd. Fox has done all the work on the truck, from building cabinets to setting up plumbing, except for the welding. Her welder doesn’t drink coffee so she will be dedicating a London Fog, a creamy tea latte, to him.
Evangeline’s Cafe will be based out of this Japanese Kei truck. Photo provided by Evangeline Fox.
Another drink is named for her sister Rachael Fox, based on the nickname their father called her as a kid: Riff-Raff.
As a kid, Fox’s mom would call over her and her sister and say it was time to add the secret ingredient to food: TLC. Now, when a customer tells Fox her drink tastes great, she says “it’s the secret ingredient.”
She pretends to shake in the ingredient and says, “It’s the TLC.”
Reflecting on her academic and professional direction, Fox says she has always been comfortable going with the flow.
“It’s like when you learn how to drive. You get so nervous about taking the wrong turn,” she says. “You’re going to take the wrong turn and that’s okay, because you’re gonna get right back on the right path.”
