The Story Behind Studs
It started with a long line and a bad cup of coffee. Tyler was passing through Arizona when he noticed a crowd gathered outside a coffee stand with baristas in bikinis. The concept was clearly drawing attention — but when he got closer, the environment felt dingy, the setup looked tired, and the coffee was not worth returning for.
Tyler saw something that most people in that line didn't: an opportunity. What if you reversed the concept entirely? Instead of women serving in a barely-there uniform,, you built a classy, welcoming coffee shop staffed by attractive male baristas and you made the coffee genuinely exceptional? What if the experience itself was the product, and the product was actually great?
He brought the idea to his mother, Ruth, and together they set out to build Studs Coffee Shop: a fun, confident alternative to both the corporate coffee chain and the low-quality novelty stand. No cutting corners on the coffee. No cheap theatrics. Just great coffee, healthy food, handsome service, and a space that feels worth coming back to.
The result is Studs — playful, polished, and built on the belief that your morning coffee should be the best part of your day.
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Meet the Founders
Studs Coffee Shop is a mother-and-son business built on a shared belief that coffee experiences should be fun, genuine, and exceptional. Ruth and Tyler bring complementary strengths to everything Studs does — from the atmosphere and values to the coffee program and day-to-day operations.
Ruth
Co-Founder & Mother
Ruth is the retired CEO of an international trade association in the jewelry industry. Her twenty-five years of experience with the very best in fine jewelry has given her an appreciation for beauty and truly remarkable customer experience. Ruth is most proud of mentoring many other women into leadership roles during her career.
Read More about Ruth
Now, teaming up with Tyler is fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning her own business. Most importantly to her, it is strengthening the bond between Mother and Son by working together to bring his vision to reality. She is also thrilled that the Las Vegas community, her home since 1993, will have a coffee brand dedicated to the very best quality and an amazing customer experience along with plenty of “beauty” to savor!
Tyler
Co-Founder & Son
Tyler Bennet is an entrepreneur, brand builder, and co-founder of Studs Coffee. After building SMP INK into a successful multi-location brand serving thousands of clients, Tyler became known not only for his work, but also as an educator, speaker, and entrepreneur.
Read More about Tyler
His career has included appearances at major industry events, television, podcasts, and online media, as well as recognition in MyVegas Magazine’s “Top Men of Success.”
Now, Tyler is bringing his experience in building memorable brands into an entirely new industry. Alongside his mother, he created Studs Coffee with a simple vision: combine exceptional specialty coffee, healthy food options, great personalities, and an entertaining atmosphere to create a coffee shop experience that feels completely different.
For Tyler, Studs Coffee is about more than coffee, it’s about creating a brand people want to be part of and an experience they look forward to coming back to.
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A Mother-and-Son Connection Across Borders
Studs Coffee Shop is more than a fun concept — it is a business built on genuine relationships. Ruth and Tyler didn't just want to serve great coffee. They wanted to know the people who grew it.
That is why Studs is working with another mother-and-son team to source its coffee directly from Honduras. The connection between a mother-and-son business in Las Vegas and a mother-and-son family of coffee producers thousands of miles away is the kind of story that belongs in every cup.
More details about the producers, their farm, their family, and their coffee will be added as the partnership develops. Check back for updates on their region, elevation, coffee variety, and processing methods.
Meet Patrick O’Malley
Founder/Owner: Balloor Holding Co., Espresso Italia, Infusion Coffee & Tea Crafters, IBCA International Barista & Coffee Academy)
Patrick O’Malley is an Arizona native, born in Tucson. He was raised in the small cultural town of Bisbee, before venturing to Hawaii and California where he worked as a coffee/espresso service technician and discovered the soulful art of being a barista. He returned to Phoenix in 1989 and started his first coffee wholesale business and repair company. Then after selling his first company and continuing a successful career in beverage management, Patrick decided to follow his passion as a coffee/tea drink specialist. In 1998, Patrick founded Espresso Italia. Today, Patrick is the owner of Balloor Holding Company, which operates Espresso Italia, Infusion Coffee & Tea Crafters, and IBCA.
Read More about Patrick
In 2010, he earned the coveted Coffee Diploma from the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe. He is the 43rd person in the world to attain this diploma. In 2015 SCAE was granted the Patrick the Top Educator in the World Award.
Patrick is an SCAE Authorized Trainer, Certified Q Grader and Assistant Q Instructor, Roast Master, and Tea Sommelier. He created the International Barista Coffee Academy (IBCA) to educate those with a desire to learn more about coffee. Patrick is an Authorized AST for the Diploma System and is certified to teach all levels (Foundation, Intermediate and Professional) of Coffee Introduction, Brewing, Barista, Green Coffee, Roasting and Sensory. In 2014 Patrick became a Certified Q Grader since 2015 and an Assistant Q Instructor. He opened a second IBCA in Dubai April of 2019. Patrick has worked as a consultant for many large and small coffee companies around the world, offering training, café and roastery design, menu planning, roastery development, as well as developing QC programs. Patrick has worked with such names as Café Victoria in Canada, Medellin Chamber of Commerce and the Medellin Coffee Cluster, Techno Café in Colombia, Coffee Matters in Mexico, Raw Coffee In Dubai, Stree F&B in Dubai, Brew 92 in Saudi Arabia, Caffe Café In Kuwait, Café Vergnano in Italy, Café Quarta in Italy, Ming’s in China, Hazel and Hershey in Hong Kong, Brim Coffee in Canada, Atilla in Brazil, Massimo Zanetti Beverage Solutions internationally, and Toper Roasters in Turkey among many others. Patrick is part of the Sanremo Coffee Machine design and build team – “SWAT” as well consultant and designer for Ozturk Bay in Turkey. Patrick formed 3 Coffee Guys Coffee Educational Trips to Origin in 2017 Along with Damian Burgess and Ricardo Vilaejas. They have brought Barista, Roasters and Coffee Lovers from over 40 Countries to 5 Origin trips. In 2022 Patrick became one of the first certified ATC for the Specialty Tea Association of Europe and will begin teaching Tea courses in 2023.
In addition, Patrick is the Master Roaster and Tea Blender for Infusion Coffee &Tea Crafters. He is a regular on the judge’s panel at various International Barista Championships around the world. He was the past Education Coordinator of SCAE Barista Guild of Europe.
Having over 30 years in the coffee industry, Patrick has performed every position, including Technician, Roast Master, Green Coffee buyer, Coffee Lab Technician, Espresso Machine Engineer and Designer, Barista, Consultant and Café Owner, Educator. As a result, Patrick has a lot to give in the form of education and consulting. He is truly one of the most well-rounded coffee professionals in the world.
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What We Stand For
Every cup, every visit, and every decision at Studs is guided by eight core values that set us apart from the corporate coffee chain and the throwaway novelty stand.
Quality
We never compromise on what goes into your cup or on your plate.
Family
Studs was built by family and runs with a family-first spirit.
Confidence
We own our concept with pride, clarity, and zero apology.
Hospitality
Every customer deserves a warm, memorable experience.
Fun
We take our coffee seriously and our atmosphere lightly.
Health
Fuel your day with real food and drinks that support your goals.
Community
We are here to become a genuine part of Las Vegas life.
Respect for Coffee Producers
We honor the families and farmers behind every bean.
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Your Morning Is About to Look Better
Now that you know the story, come experience it in person. Explore the menu, find us in Las Vegas, and follow along as Studs Coffee Shop gets ready to open.
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