Meet Stefanie Mwaura | Food Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stefanie Mwaura and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stefanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
God dropped this business in my lap in a sense. I was a bridesmaid for my friend Miesha’s wedding and her catering options changed last minute. I had GATHERED a grazing table for her wedding shower and she asked if I could do the same for her cocktail hour at the wedding, of course I’m not letting my friend down on her wedding day! After the wedding the wedding coordinator came up to me asking for my business card for the table. As I said before I was only doing this for a friend! She went on to tell me she had been in the wedding coordinator business for over twenty years and I had a talent and I needed to be doing this full time, she wanted me on her preferred vendor list, but I needed all the proper licenses. Being a previous restaurant and food truck owner, I was not new to the food business concept. I went home put some thought into the concept and started working on filing all the proper documents with the state to officially open Gatherd ~By Stef.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Gathered ~By Stef creates personalized charcuterie boards, grazing tables, and barkuterie boards for your every need. We pride ourselves in providing outstanding customer service and catering to whatever the clients’ needs are. It is important to me if for example I am catering a wedding, I provide the bride and groom with the vision they want and deserve for their special day! I like to know the small details about my clients so I can incorporate in the decor and flow of what I create for them. I am willing to go above and beyond to satisfy their requests. I am a true believer in your work and service you provide will create chatter and that chatter can either make or break you. My business is currently based off of referrals, I cannot afford to slack on any aspects of the product I put out. The biggest struggle I have faced so far running my business is I am a single mom, there is no back up for me! I cannot afford to fail; it is not an option! Financially, until I am comfortable COVID and any other aspects of what is going on around us in today’s world is not going to affect my business I have a full-time job as an insurance agent in addition to running my business full time. My beautiful daughters Kaya and Kenna are both also year-round athletes. This means in addition to my full-time job and my business I am a free Uber service and cheerleader for the little people that live in my home. I am supportive of them, and they have been supportive of me. In fact, it was my 13-year-old daughter Kaya that came up with the idea to add barkcuterie boards to our menu. When she came to me and told me her idea, I told her to do the research and find the local dog bakeries in our area we could purchase product from she did immediately. The barcuterie boards ended up being one of my top sellers for the Christmas season!
In life we can make excuses of why we can’t do something, or we can keep trying and not give up till we are successful. I have 2 little ones looking up to me, giving up is not one of my options. I am determined to be successful, therefore I will be!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my friends come from out of town to visit, we generally always visit Hutchins BBQ in Mckinney, TX for some great Texas BBQ. It is guaranteed no matter what time of the day you show up there will be a line out the door. Then head over for some fun and shopping at Grandscape in The Colony. Hip hop brunch at The Common Table in Frisco is a lot of fun on a Saturday or Sunday. I suggest ordering the Gangsters Paradise for your drink, and make a reservation, you will not regret it! Then take a tour around the practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys at The Star and finish your day out having dinner at Dee Lincoln Prime Steakhouse.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Obviously if it were not for my friends Kevin and Miesha’s trusting me with catering for their wedding, I would not be here today! They have been super encouraging and supportive all the way through the process. I feel my friend Wendy, also a small business owner & fellow single mother has been a huge sounding board and support system for me, I cannot thank her enough for the things she has done for me since I have started this venture! Lastly, my friend Deji has listened to every little crazy idea, doubt, and stress I have had since the beginning. He is always there to remind me of my inner strength, drive, and talent I have within, and I truly appreciate the honesty and support he has given since day 1. I could not make it without a strong support system and God has provided me with some of the best.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gathered_by_stef/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GatheredByStef