Meet Jessica Elleman

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

Hi Jessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own charcuterie business was the result of a deep passion for food, creativity, and bringing people together. I’ve always loved the art of entertaining—there’s something truly special about seeing friends and family connect over a beautiful, thoughtfully arranged spread. After seeing my aunt share her beautiful boards I wanted to give it a try. What began as a hobby — creating boards for friends’ parties, holidays, and small events—soon became something people encouraged me to pursue professionally.

My thought process was driven by a few key factors. First, I wanted to create luxurious, elevated food experiences that felt both indulgent and personal. I saw charcuterie as the perfect canvas for combining beautiful presentation with rich, layered flavors. I was also passionate about exploring local foods & brands to showcase the best of what our area has to offer. I wanted every order to tell a story of craftsmanship, so that people could taste something unique and meaningful in every bite.

Second, I was motivated by the desire for creative freedom. I’ve always been a creative person, whether through art, music, or design, and I saw charcuterie as another medium where I could express that creativity. Starting my own business allowed me to bring together my love of visual aesthetics and flavor combinations, experimenting with ingredients, styles, and seasonal themes. It gave me the flexibility to collaborate with local businesses which added an extra layer of purpose to what I was offering.

Lastly, I wanted to build something that reflected my personal values: supporting small businesses and creating products that bring people joy. I saw entrepreneurship as a path where I could blend my passion with purpose, all while challenging myself to grow both personally and professionally.

Of course, deciding to start the business wasn’t without hesitation. I spent a lot of time researching, refining my designs, and planning how to manage logistics like sourcing, pricing, and marketing. But at the core of it all was a simple idea: food brings people together, and I wanted to be a part of creating those meaningful moments. That’s what ultimately gave me the confidence to take the leap.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

My career path has been full of different roles that, together, helped shape the person and business owner I am today. I started as a server, which taught me so much about hospitality, multitasking, and staying calm under pressure. I learned how to read a room, anticipate what people need, and create a positive experience — all things that are now at the heart of how I run my charcuterie business.

From there, I worked as an insurance agent, where I developed strong communication skills and learned how to build trust and meaningful relationships with clients. That experience taught me how important it is to listen carefully and provide thoughtful, personalized solutions.

Later, I became an assistant manager at a barbershop. That role gave me valuable leadership experience, from managing a team to creating an environment where people felt comfortable and welcomed. It reinforced how much the small details matter when it comes to customer service.

I also worked as an administrative assistant, which sharpened my organizational skills and taught me how to juggle a lot of behind-the-scenes responsibilities. Keeping things running smoothly and efficiently became second nature — and that’s something I rely on every day as a small business owner.

What sets me apart is how I bring all of those experiences together. My charcuterie business isn’t just about arranging food on a board — it’s about creating luxurious, memorable experiences that feel personal and meaningful. I take pride in sourcing local, high-quality ingredients and designing each board with intention and care. I’m most proud of how my boards bring people together to celebrate, connect, and enjoy the moment.

It hasn’t always been easy. I’ve faced challenges like learning how to price my work fairly, balance my time, and market my services — all while staying true to my vision. But I overcame those challenges through persistence, continuous learning, and the support of my partner, family, friends, and local business community. Every obstacle has taught me something important: to trust my instincts, value my worth, and keep going even when things get hard.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that it’s built on passion, creativity, and heart. My boards are more than food — they’re an experience meant to be shared and savored, and I’m honored to play a small part in people’s special moments.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend visited Dallas for a week, I’d show them a blend of iconic spots and hidden gems. We’d kick things off in Uptown with brunch, followed by a visit to the one our amazing museums. For dinner, we’d head to Dakota’s Steakhouse for a classic Dallas steakhouse experience.

I would take them to the Fort Worth Stockyards then hit up Las Almas Rotas for dinner followed by a night out at Double Wide for delicious drinks and fun atmosphere.

I’d plan a picnic at Turtle Creek Park with one of my charcuterie boards, and we’d end the week with drinks a night out on the town at in Deep Ellum. Dallas has an incredible mix of style, flavor, and personality — and I’d want them to experience it all!

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?
I’m incredibly grateful for the people who have supported and encouraged me on this journey.

First and foremost, my family has been my rock. From the very beginning, they believed in my vision and helped me in so many ways — whether it was taste-testing new ideas, helping with events, or simply reminding me to keep going when I doubted myself.

My friends also deserve so much credit. They were my earliest customers, my biggest cheerleaders, and the people who spread the word about my work before I even had an official business. Their honest feedback and constant encouragement pushed me to keep improving and growing.

My partner has also played such a meaningful role in my journey. Their unwavering support, patience, and encouragement have made all the difference — from listening to my ideas and helping me problem-solve, to being there through the late nights and busy seasons. I truly couldn’t have done this without them by my side.

I also want to recognize a local DFW catering company that has been incredibly supportive — collaborating with them taught me so much about the behind-the-scenes of food service, logistics, and creating seamless experiences for clients. Their mentorship and partnership helped me refine my processes and raise my standards for what a great service looks like.

At the heart of it, my success so far has been shaped by a wonderful community of people who shared their time, advice, and kindness. My clients are absolutely wonderful and refer me any chance they get which means the world to me. I’m truly thankful for each of them, and I feel lucky to be building something with their support in my corner.

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