Who doesn’t love a charcuterie board?
Cured meats and exotic cheeses paired with fruits, nuts, dips, and spreads . . . all displayed in a festive array.
Makes your mouth water just thinking about it, doesn’t it?
Alexis Saghie certainly thinks so. So much, in fact, that she built a business out of it.
It all started one random evening when she and her sisters created a charcuterie board for her family. “I was inspired by my love of food,” she says, “so I decided to create an Instagram account to see what would happen.”
The business took off overnight. Alexis began by creating charcuterie boxes and dropping them off at people’s homes. By December of 2020, she was overwhelmed with orders. “As months continued, we got into a lot of local events and weddings.” Farm to Fingers has now been open for almost a year, and it continues to be a booming business.
Alexis has been in contact with Mary at the SBDC from the get-go. “I had a lot of questions because I’ve never started a business. I wanted to create something that was stable.”
The SBDC helped her gain a basic understanding about the fundamentals—everything from licensing to tax information to creating a profitable business plan.
Alexis says, “They’ve been a great resource to help me learn the basics. I’m very self-taught, so I was able to do a lot of research on their website and figure out exactly what to do. I’ve also appreciated the availability of the staff to answer questions. My experience with SBDC was really positive during the initial formative months.”
Everything you order from Farm to Fingers is farm and locally oriented. (Hence, the name! The food goes from the farm to your fingers!). They have a lot of local products, including jams and jellies from Honeyville, cheeses from James Ranch, and breads from Bread. “We are trying to branch out and find local farms to diversify our boxes and to include more local, sustainable products.”
When you order from Farm to Fingers, you’ll have a variety of different menu options. The Mezze option is Alexis’s favorite because it celebrates her Lebanese heritage. “I have a love for food and a love for my past. It’s who I am,” she says.
Alexis loves running the business, but it has its challenges too. “It’s so fun and awesome to meet people in the community and form relationships, but you always have to be on your toes. You need to keep up with social media, newsletters, etc. You have to be open to feedback, especially in a small community. There’s a lot of learning going on behind the scenes. You have to be willing to ask questions and figure out what you need to know!”
Which brings everything back to the SBDC. Alexis has appreciated being able to ask about anything and receive quick responses. “When they don’t have an answer, they are always able to direct me to someone who might.”
So, if you are thinking about starting your own business, Alexis would tell you to just go for it. “It gives you such a freedom to create what you want to create and brings the meaning and purpose you want in your life because you are building something from your heart—especially in small towns and communities. People love it and are willing to hold your hand. It might seem daunting, but everyone has it in them to create something.”
