Happy 2nd Birthday to Boards by Kelly!
Wow! I can’t believe it has been 2 years now that Boards by Kelly has been in business. As I (Kelly) think of all the ways God has grown me and given me joys and sorrows with my charcuterie business, I really step back in awe.
In February 2023, I had just finished a grazing table for my sister, (Abby’s) friend’s baby shower. A lot of my friends said, “you know, you are really good at this. You should consider making it a business”. I shrugged it off and thought, that is out of my scope of practice, I do not know how to start a business. I went to school to become a nurse and worked for 4 years doing clinical trials in OBGYN at OU Health Sciences Center. All I knew in the professional world was caring for patients, collecting data, and helping women overcome embarrassing symptoms to improve their quality of life. I loved being a nurse! Now I am a stay at home Mom which as always been my dream job.
Later that day after the baby shower, I sat in my driveway while my children played with chalk and had the idea to reach out to a local Facebook group to see if they would post some pictures of my grazing tables. They promptly responded and asked if I had a business page. It was right then and there, I decided to make a Facebook business page. I did what any other novice entrepreneur would do and created my logo on Canva and really never looked back.
Starting my business was out of my comfort zone. But sometimes doing scary things help us gain confidence, see growth, and lead to opportunities that we never would have dreamed of. I then obtained my LLC, website domain, and spent countless hours perfecting my website. Lots of late night hours trying to figure out pricing, intake forms, client flows, website designing, ordering supplies, and perfecting my charcuterie skills. I really didn’t know at the time if those hours would pay off, but I knew I had to see it through. I took wise counsel from my husband, parents, and friends. I wanted my client experience to be one of professionalism, joy, and high quality—so every detail needed to be thought of!
I remember when I got my first few jobs and I was truly over the moon! I couldn’t believe people trusted me and paid me to do something that I just saw as a hobby and creative outlet! The last 2 years I’ve pinched myself with really neat things/events I’ve gotten to do and definitely have had my fair share of days where I am stretched thin and want to hang up the towel. Through it all, God has been faithful. He has guided my steps, open doors, closed doors for my protection, and given me a sense of confidence in the world of entrepreneurship.
I always joke and say that my “cheese and meat skills” have lead me to some fun opportunities. In October 2023 I was published in a local OKC magazine on the front cover and wrote up an article about me and my business. Some other highlights include being named a finalist the past 2 years for the Best of the 405 in Charcuterie and raising funds with my charcuterie classes for non profits and schools. I’ve also gotten the opportunity to set up a grazing table the width of a basketball court for a school gala, a grazing table at the Oklahoma State Capital, and catering for countless events from weddings to corporate events. Being named the Business Advocate of the Year for the Small Business Development Center of Oklahoma was also an honor and having the opportunity to speak to other advisors across the state about my experience with growing a business was a wonderful opportunity.
Charcuterie classes, just as God does, was something I had never planned on. I had no idea that teaching classes would be one of the most fun parts of my business. I have come to love teaching and public speaking-who knew? From private classes for birthdays, corporate classes for team building, and public classes seasonally, it’s been so fun! I organically got into fundraising charcuterie classes from the idea of one of my corporate charcuterie class clients. Using my gifts that get to benefit others is something I’m very grateful for.
With the business growing, I knew I couldn’t manage it all. My youngest sister, Abby, is now part of BBK. I love having someone to bounce ideas off of and she has taught me so much too! I am so grateful to have her and we love getting to chit chat while we set up grazing tables together! What a blessing it is that BBK gets to provide creative outlets and funds for two stay at home Moms!
Happy 2nd Birthday, Boards by Kelly! Here’s to year #3!
