Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Henry.
Katie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
This journey began about 2 1/2 years ago after moving my family to Prosper, leaving behind a job of 15 years that consumed me, and even more impactful, losing my mom unexpectedly. Creating cheese/charcuterie boards became something I did in my home to serve friends, family, and neighbors. I loved watching their eyes light up when they saw what I put in front of them. It made them feel special and appreciated. Soon, my guests wanted to do the same in their homes. So, they started asking me to make a board for their gatherings. So I did! That’s when Board & Bread began!
After doing LOTS of research, I began experimenting. Slowly, but surely, I came up with different sizes, price points, etc. Before I knew it, I was being asked to do table spreads, grazing tables, weddings, huge parties and so much more. Every new adventure stretched me outside of my comfort zone and taught me that I was capable of doing things I never knew I could do. It’s been scary and I have made mistakes along the way. I am definitely not a business person and never have been. So, learning all the ins and outs of what comes with owning a business has not been super easy for me. Taking it one day at a time for me is important so that I don’t get too overwhelmed.
At the end of the day, I am just so grateful that God placed this opportunity in front of me. He really knows us better than we know ourselves. While I have had plenty of doubts, fears, and insecurities throughout this process, making people happy is what has always kept me motivated. That’s what I love to do.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have had PLENTY of struggles! For one, the business side of things is not my favorite. I prefer to create, be artistic, make people smile and be done. 🙂 But, in order to be successful at this, I have had to learn a lot about entrepreneurship, marketing, fair pricing, income, revenue, etc. That’s all been a big learning curve for me.
Another challenge I have had is balancing my life as a mom to three kids, a wife, a friend, and as a small business owner. I never expected this business to take off like it has. That has meant long busy weekends, missing out on my boys’ baseball games, friends’ parties, etc. I am still working on figuring out how to balance, making my customers happy and spending adequate time with my family and friends. If you know the secret, I’m all ears. 🙂
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Board and Bread is all about creating beautiful, delicious and high-end charcuterie boards. Most of the standard boards include four different cheeses, 1-2 meats, fruit, cornichon pickles, stuffed olives, crackers, a variety of nuts, and other yummy surprises. Beyond those, I design and create grazing tables for weddings, large events, etc. In the midst of the COVID outbreak, my lunchboxes have been extremely popular. Those are individually packed 6″x6″ boxes that are super easy for guests to grab and go. I also do many custom boards such as brunch boards, candy boards, fruit and veggie boards, etc. Honestly, I’ll do whatever kind of board my customers ask for. I just love making them happy!
In addition to creating boards, boxes and grazing tables, I have also been doing lots of workshops! My customers seem to love this because they can learn the tips & tricks of creating a beautiful board, hear about my favorite items to add to a board and learn the best places to shop for ingredients. When scheduling these workshops, customers have a choice of what type they would prefer. For the “Demo Only Workshop,” guests will watch as I create their board, while also teaching them. I then leave behind the board as they continue their evening. The 2nd option (and most popular) is “The Make & Take Workshop.” This workshop-style allows for me to first demonstrate/teach how to make aboard. After that, guests take what they learned and apply it while each creating their own individual boards. I provide food, materials, small boards, etc. You only provide the guests and the location. This is great for a girl’s night in or a team-building activity!
No matter if it’s a board, box, grazing table, or workshop, my desire is for each and every one of my customers to feel special, important and loved. Board & Bread is not just about meat and cheese. It’s about treating the customers to a beautiful display of colors, textures and varieties, then providing them a true foodie experience, tasting a combination of flavors they never even knew existed, because they deserve it.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas and the surrounding areas are a great place to get started in business. I live 30-40 miles away from the city of Dallas in a far northern suburb. But, I get plenty of business serving Prosper, Frisco, Mckinney, Plano, Dallas, Richardson, and all the areas in between. There are so many opportunities in this area.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.boardandbread.com
- Phone: 2149239147
- Email: katie@boardandbread.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/board_and_bread/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoardandBreadinTexas
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