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

Hi Ali, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My Family and the support of the community of people behind me! TX Cheese Board was a dream, something I have always wanted to do but never fully could commit to the unknown. How do I do this, or that, what if this happens, what if it fails? There were a lot of what if’s and my husband kept saying and…. to all my what ifs. He pushed me to step up and just do it. Handle the what ifs as they come. Because what if nothing goes wrong? or everything falls into place and works? Without his support I wouldn’t have taken this leap. Also the support of my “regulars” (I like to call them) the ones from the beginning who have been ordering since we started. When I get their orders they let me play around and get fancy with the boards and try new things! Its fun to get honest opinions from the ones who have watched it grow into what it is. Without them, TX cheese board wouldn’t be here.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
TX Cheese Board was a dream, something that I didn’t think would ever come alive. Until Covid. Rewind back to February 2020, I was traveling ALL over the place for my “day job” Which has me always on the go, never one place for long. March 2020, I flew out to LA for work, right when Covid was hitting and I thought this was all crazy. March 16th- I was furloughed for the unforeseeable future. My day job in short is involved in sales & production. specifically LA production, when LA went in shutdown, so did production of goods. So first to go was sales staff. We had no answers on when or IF we would return. Week before Mother’s Day 2020, I finally thought of TX Cheese Board’s name. and I hit the ground running. staying up late sourcing different boards and fixings. I have always made cheese boards for friends, family, parties, etc. but finally pulled the trigger to make it and sell it! I sold 20 boards the weekend of mothers day! and I thought that was a lot!!! and at the time it was! One of my biggest lessons learned- take the risk! I was so nervous to order bulk, what if I don’t sell it all? those damn “what ifs” but I sold so much so fast that I had an issue getting more stock in faster!! I was running to target, Costco, you name it trying to source different things to make it work until my shipments could come in. Behind my story- when you order from TX Cheese Board, you are supporting a mom of 2 little babies, who originally started this side gig as a means to fill a void of income that we were hit with when I was furloughed. That side gig has now turned into way more than I thought it would be!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Molly Rasmsusen, Pop Parties! Who made the connection here for this interview! This gal was my wedding planner back in 2016! She was just starting out and y’all, I thought she was amazing at her job THEN.. but look at her NOW! Thank you for the support of TX Cheese Boards Molly, you’re the bomb!

Website: www.txcheeseboard.com
Instagram: @txcheeseboard

Image Credits
Kate Brewer Photography, Haven & Harlow Co

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