Turning over a new leaf, husband and wife Michael ('11) and Taylor Bales ('09) changed their lives following major career shifts and turned their dreams into reality by becoming business owners.

Despite opening a month before a global pandemic, True Leaf Studio -- their unique, multi-use plant shop and tattoo parlor -- has become a staple in Denton over the last five years.

Making the most of their square footage, the couple shares their space with several small business owners, notably coffee connoisseurs and owners of Triptych Coffee Co., Betz Baker ('19) and Lois Robertson, who attended UNT from 2019 to 2020.

Together, the two couples work with the community to create a place where locals can purchase curated one-of-a-kind coffee, shop at markets and support local artists, get a sick tattoo and learn how to plant a terrarium under one roof.

"It's so weird," Taylor says. "I don't know that this would work everywhere."

Connected by their UNT roots, these four are pouring every ounce of their passions into crafting a boundless, special melting pot of ideas located in the heart of Denton.

The Perfect Place

After graduating from UNT with a bachelor's in English, Taylor and her high school sweetheart Michael -- who graduated with a bachelor's in studio art -- dove headfirst into careers as a teacher and graphic designer.

After staying in the Denton area and starting their family, the couple felt unfulfilled in their occupations and noticed something lacking within their community.

Botanists at heart, the Bales longed to open a plant nursery which could be used as an event and workshop space. On their day care route, they frequently passed an old building at 301 Locust Street that was open for leasing and saw an opportunity.

Like Chip and Joanna Gaines, the Baleses put on hard hats and renovated the run-down space into their perfect place after their landlord provided them full control over the use of the building and allowed Michael to continue his tattoo business.

True Leaf Studio -- which refers to a saying about the first mature leaves to sprout on a plant, growing into its real beauty -- is decorated inside and out with plants, and the patio quickly became the host of outdoor markets and workshops.

"People use our space to build their own idea of what True Leaf is," Taylor says. "It's awesome."

The markets took off and have since hosted a lengthy list of local vendors who have watched their businesses blossom, including Triptych Coffee Co.

Connected by Caffeine

Throughout their time at UNT, Lois Robertson and Betz Baker consumed many cups of coffee. While they never crossed paths on campus, the two have always been linked by their love for caffeine.

They met while working at neighboring businesses in Argyle. There, Baker convinced Robertson to transition from a coffee consumer to connoisseur by becoming a barista.

A year or so later, while scrolling Facebook Marketplace, the couple came across a post advertising an entire coffee cart, complete with everything needed to run a café. After contemplating opening their own business, the couple saw the listing as a sign.

"Whatever happens, happens," Baker and Robertson recall saying to themselves when they decided to buy the former Java Rocket cart. "The rest is history."

Within just a few months, the couple kickstarted their traveling coffee cart and hired their friend and UNT College of Visual Arts and Design alumna Jenkins McAlister ('24).

To reflect the trio behind the business, Baker and Robertson came up with "Triptych Coffee," inspired by The Garden of Earthly Delights -- a notable 16th century triptych oil painting.

"We're something that comes in three, like the big beginning, middle and end of life," Robertson says. "As soon as we heard the word it kept popping up, and it stuck."

Better Together

When the Bales saw Triptych's growth and impact on foot traffic, they offered the couple a full-time presence on the property. In the two years since, Robertson and Baker's little coffee cart has expanded extensively and they hope to continue growing within Denton.

"What we've created here matters," Baker says. "We feel so supported."

Seeing their impact on other businesses and the community, the Bales wish to continue using their space as a bed for businesses to plant their seed and find their true leaf.

"It's been fun," Michael says. "We can hang our hats on a good accomplishment so far."