How did Charcuterie Me get started, and what does it look like now?

Charcuterie Me was born out of my passion for charcuterie. I would always DIY my own boards at home when I wanted to have a fancy night in and treat myself. I found that I had to stop at multiple stores to get exactly what I wanted in my perfect charcuterie board. One evening while waiting for my charcuterie board at one of my favorite local spots, the idea for a charcuterie subscription company came to me. I imagined how convenient it would be if I could just have charcuterie delivered directly to me. And I thought to myself… “I wonder who else is craving for something like this?”

The idea sat around for about a year because at that time, the business model was actually shipping charcuterie boxes, which is still a logistical nightmare to me. Fast forward to April 2020: Portland had shut down and it became “no-contact” everything, and I knew the timing was right. I sold one box at a time, had fun with social media marketing, and I just kept going. One year later, I took the biggest risk of my life and left my full-time job to focus on growing Charcuterie Me. To date, we’ve made over 1,200 boxes and cones!

What makes your business unique?

What makes Charcuterie Me unique is how carefully curated each box is. From the pairings to the high-quality ingredients, I’m really thoughtful about what flavors to incorporate for the best charcuterie experience. I’ll test flavors out with friends and family, and ask customers for their honest feedback and recommendations. You also can’t not be happy when you open a Charcuterie Me box - they’re so aesthetically pleasing!

What is your favorite wine that pairs well with the Graze Box?

If “Rosé All Day” was a person, it’d be me. I love enjoying a chilled fruity rosé with the Graze Box. It’s light, refreshing, and pairs so well with the fresh summer berries in the box!

What was the most challenging moment in your career and how did you overcome it?

The most challenging moment happened in June when the Portland Trail Blazers called to inquire about ordering 230 boxes to celebrate the end of the NBA playoff season. A Portland girl at heart, I could not say no to the Blazers, and of course, I said I had the capacity (when I didn’t) because I was going to make it happen regardless.

Their playoff season ended earlier than we had all hoped so I had less than 4 days to prepare. We were late to deliver because I underestimated how much help and time I would need. It felt like the test of my life thus far, and I felt like a complete failure. There was a moment I questioned if I wanted to do this anymore.

It took me a few days to recover, and afterward, I connected with a fellow food entrepreneur who told me she came so close to her breaking point at the exact same time I was going through it. It meant so much to hear I wasn’t alone. Coming out of it, I’m focused on the lessons, which are:

1. I need to proactively build a team so that I’m ready to take on these types of opportunities

2. I can’t be afraid to ask for help, and

3. I need to connect with community on a more regular basis. It’s been just me this whole time and I need a mentor or some type of formal support system.

Where do you see Charcuterie Me in 10 years?

I have so many dreams for Charcuterie Me. I want to be at your door and I also want to be at a store near you, from Oregon to New York. I’ve grown Charcuterie Me into a 6-figure business within one year, by myself, while balancing a full-time job, in a pandemic. “The limit does not exist.” (<- Mean Girls reference :) ). □

Article Credits

Instagram: @charcuterie.me @naizhao_

Website: charcuterie.me

Twitter: @charcuterieme