Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Buyskes.
Hi Dylan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born in South Africa, raised by an entrepreneur mother in small business. Moved to Buffalo NY, USA in 1987 at age of 13. Opened my first business, a coffee shop at 22. Then to carry on that style of business until 32 opening 3 additional cafes, selling one, and managing coffee shops at a university for 3 years. Then graduated with graphic design degree, and started photography business in 2007, Onion Studio – specializing in wedding and family. Spent 14 yrs perfecting my photography while assisting commercial/corporate photographers on the side. Transitioned OS into corporate photography in 2022 and continue to run that business for photo, video and licensed drone pilot. Moved to Arkansas in 2023 and continue to photograph for clients in Buffalo, Philadelphia and Arkansas.
April 2024 bought SUP Outfitters, paddle board rental on Beaver Lake and started to grow the existing business to offering kayaks, floating chairs, hammocks and other fun things to give people a safe and fun way to experience Beaver Lake. 2025 added mountain bikes to the rental fleet.
1997 – 2004 married, had a son. 2010 – 2022 married second time, then divorced and moved from NY to Arkansas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Moving from South Africa to USA was quite exciting and a shock for me at 13. The struggles to learn US history and way of life was a challenge. Be picked on for being different and having an accent made me lose my accent quickly, without really realizing what I was doing. Wish I had it back.
At 22 opening a coffee shop was a huge undertaking but just kind of went for it. Ran for 2 years, building debt and learning business. Closed Culture Coffee after 2 years to work a full time cook position in Boston MA, to pay off debt. Bought a failing coffee shop back in Buffalo that had been going down hill for 10yrs. Made a lease to buy deal with the landlord that had taken over the business. Spent 4 years with my Ex wife, Stephanie building up the business to a place that we were able to sell it for a profit and take a break. I took a management position for the coffee roaster we bought from to run 4 cafes at a local university. I open 4 cafes, with over 4o employees and had 2 months to get it going. While running the cafes I decided to go to full time night school to get a degree in graphic design. After 3 years we lost our contract at the university and I had an offer from Wegmans supermarket to run all their coffee shops in stores. While running the cafes I had started assisting a friend and his wedding photography business, after 1 year with him I asked if he wanted to partner up and elevate his brand and style, he chose not to and kept his business the same running a traditional wedding photography business. I decided to start my own business at that time. I had been learning new techniques that I wanted to bring into wedding photography, and he didn’t. Back to Wegmans, I accepted the offer but the day before I was suppose to start I decided to follow my heart and keep at the photography. I could not find a graphic design job that would pay enough, so I started booking photography clients while taking on painting and drywall jobs to get by. It took about 3 years to build the business enough to where I trusted enough to stop the other jobs. During this time I had gotten divorced from Stephanie, and we decided to raise Collin jointly in the same city. I had met Robyn, my second wife and we dated for 5yrs before I asked her to marry me. She worked in graphic design while I continued to build my photography business. I decided to add graphic design for my clients and Robyn took on those clients while working full time at her job. Robyn started assisting me for weddings and I trained her in photography so she could start shooting. in 2009 Robyn partnered up with Onion Studio and we each owned 50% of the business. Which now I know never give up equal shares, always maintain majority. We built the business for years, and I found as I wanted to keep pushing the business Robyn would want to do less. Learning about running a business with your partner is something not to take lightly. What I know now is put them on as an employee , not a partner. We got divorced in 2022 and had to split everything 50/50 and I had to buy her out of her 50% ownership. But I maintained the business and name as I moved.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize my photography mostly around people, or if its still life finding layers to bring energy and life to it, layers can be from focus, light or objects. I am very good with making people feel comfortable and relaxed.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice would be just ask, the worst you can get is a no. I have learned a lot from assisting others in the industry or elarning from other business owners.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.onionstudio.com and www.sup-outfitters.com
- Instagram: onionstudio supoutfitterseureka
- Facebook: onionstudio supoutfitters
