Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Abigail Schlesinger, Owner of Charcuterie Collective, LLC, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a charcuterie business based out of Phoenix, AZ, but we have operations out of Utah as well! We provide clients with a variety of charcuterie boxes and grazing tables, as well as class options online & in-person to learn how to make your own charcuterie boards! Our clientele ranges, but most commonly, it is clients hosting an event or party or just clients interested in knowing how to make a charcuterie board!

Tell us about yourself

My name is Abi! I am currently 18 years old, but I started this business at 16 while I was a junior in high school! Charcuterie was a family tradition of mine, and we often would make grazing tables for dinner on our yearly family vacations. After some friends saw my charcuterie boards on my social media, they suggested that I turn this into a business, so a few months later, I decided to give it a shot! I am absolutely blown away by the growth that we have had, and I am so thankful for our amazing clients and friends who have supported us over the last two years! This upcoming November will be our two-year anniversary of opening! My absolute favorite part of doing charcuterie boards is seeing how excited people are when we finish setting up the board. Seeing their reaction and excitement are what motivates me to keep working hard everyday. I also love having clients send photos of the boards they make themselves after taking our online, self-paced course. It is so rewarding to see the excitement and pride they take in their boards!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was getting the opportunity to work with people who were the people that inspired me to start my business! Working with people who started their businesses at a young age has been the coolest experience. One, in particular, started a multi-million dollar company, and I learned about that business owner when I was younger after seeing a stand for her business in the mall! Now, almost a decade later, I have the opportunity to work with her providing charcuterie boards for her events, which I am so grateful for! I had the opportunity to tell her how I found out about her company back when she was in high school and share with her how much of an inspiration she is to me!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is managing being a full-time student and athlete while also running a business full-time! I cheered and played tennis all four years of high school, as well as participating in Student Council as Senior Class President and other various clubs and activities! Trying to manage a busy work, school, sports, and social life schedule was difficult, and there were many sacrifices made, but it was all worth it in the end!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

The top 3 tips I would give anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business today is to work hard; you won't be able to grow without being willing to work harder than the rest of the people around you. Next, do something that you are passionate about. They say you will never work a day in your life if you do something you are passionate about. Lastly, surround yourself with good people that will support you and the growth of your business. My family has stepped in for my business in major ways. As our business has grown and scaled, my family has taken on a lot of responsibility to keep the business running smoothly, as well as making many sacrifices for my business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://charcuteriecollective.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charcuteriecollective
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charcuteriecollective/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailschlesinger/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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