Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Meredith Nunnally, owner of Graze Charcuterie Co., located in Huntsville, AL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Graze Charcuterie Co. is a small business that sells made-to-order charcuterie boards and nosh boxes, event grazing tables, charcuterie classes, and high-end charcuterie meats and cheeses. Our customers are lovers of food who find themselves wanting a graze with any occasion.
Our local market has not previously been set up to provide much higher-end and exclusive meats and cheese. Therefore, the majority of our clients are experiencing accessibility to these flavors for the first time.
Tell us about yourself
Formerly in internet marketing, I took a hiatus from working to focus on being a mom. COVID and personal circumstances are what ultimately led me to pull the trigger on this venture. I saw our local restaurant industry going terribly awry and believed my high-quality level of customer service and ability to deliver would give me an upper hand. I have a unique business model, but it's currently working.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner would be to manage all components of a business successfully. There are so many small details on the back end most people wouldn't typically consider. Being the entire staff responsible for every single detail can be overwhelming.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Uncertainty. Owning a business in this current climate adds an entirely new level of uncertainty. Product costs, supply, and consumer reliability are all over the board right now.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Research. Determine whether there is a need for what you're selling. Your market may already be saturated, so what is going to make customers choose you? If you can't make that distinction, consider another direction.
- Invest in imagery. With people constantly being exposed to high-quality photos and videos on their phones, you must be able to make your product stand out.
- Be flexible. You have a vision. You want that vision. It's YOUR vision! But don't let that blind you to making small changes to your model to suit what your consumer is looking for.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
My customers are absolutely phenomenal. They have all been so gracious and also so willing to share their experience with their friends and family. They have been an integral part of driving the success of this company.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.grazecharcuterieco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grazecharcuterieco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grazecharcuterieco/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grazecharcuterieco
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.