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

Hi Ainsley, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to have something that was mine. I always knew the conventional life was never what I wanted for myself and knew I wanted to be my own boss. What’s hilarious is I now work 24/7 but honestly love it so much. I chose charcuterie because it is so simple yet so beautiful, kind of my life motto. I’ve always loved serving others both in life and when it comes to food. Food presentation and styling via charcuterie allows me to do both. I genuinely love letting others know someone is thinking of them and believe all moments in life are worth being celebrated. People love food and people love thought and people love gifts, it’s an all in one and never disappoints.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What I love about my business, La Tablera is that it allows me to have a creative/therapeutic outlet. I find inspiration in food, colors, texture and love nothing more than the opportunity to create something beautiful. I worked very hard connecting with other vendors, creating professional relationships and gaining others trust. What I’ve learned is that customer service and how you treat people really really matters. People matter and people make mistakes, especially as small business owners but what people will remember is what we did to make it right. Biggest challenge I have faced is actually within myself and my own expectations. I found myself comparing myself to others that have been at it so much longer than I have so of course they’re going to have more followers/ a bigger clientele and that’s okay, there is so much room in this field for everyone and I love that. I’m a proud daughter of immigrants and I think that’s why I truly appreciate food, in my culture food has the power to bring people comfort and bring people together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend in town I would make sure to take them to my favorite places which are:

Breakfast: Snooze//Bluebonnet Cafe//Tacos La Gloria//Salty Donuts//DeTour Donuts

Lunch: Taco Y Vino//Tacos La Gloria//Oddfellows//Del Sur Tacos

Dinner: Paradiso//Tributary Cafe//Pollos Al Carbon Tacolote

Snacks: CocoAndre Chocolatier//Crumb and Kettle//Picole Pops

Places to Visit: Wax Space is my favorite place for a day to catch up on emails and get work done

Shops: Mod +Jo//Good Cycle//Autumn Moon

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Melody Vo | Love and Sugar Co. https://instagram.com/loveandsugarco_?utm_medium=copy_link

Jackie | Jack N Cheese
https://instagram.com/_jackncheese?utm_medium=copy_link

Destiny | Boards By Bae
https://instagram.com/boardsbybae?utm_medium=copy_link

Ximena | Art By Arista
https://instagram.com/artbyarista?utm_medium=copy_link

Marina |Livin Vivaciously Marina
https://instagram.com/vivaciouslymarina?utm_medium=copy_link

Website: Latablera.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/latableraboards

Image Credits
The Retro Penguin

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