Meet Katie Henry | Charcuterie Designer

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

Hi Katie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I HATE taking risks! If I could just stay in my own little world, my own little comfort zone, I would be perfectly happy. But I would also stay stagnant, unchallenged and would definitely be unfulfilled. While I do value comfort and security, I also value growing as a person, helping others and seeing what God does when my faith is completely in Him. That’s the best part. In this business, I’ve been forced to take a ton of risks. Every single time, I think to myself, “I can’t do this. It’s too much. There is just NO way.” And sometimes, there really isn’t. So when it’s all said and done and it actually does happen, I know that it was only because of God..not me. So yes, risks are super scary. But without them, I wouldn’t be nearly as blessed as I am today. For that, I am incredibly grateful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What I do revolves around food, but even more than that, it’s art. What started as my “therapy” and something I used as a creative outlet, quickly turned into something I call a business. Even more importantly, it’s something I get to share with others. When I teach workshops, I tell the participants to think of their board as if it were a painting, or any work of art. I want them to channel their own creativity, not just do what I do. My goal is to teach them how to notice all the different design elements that elevate a board, such as color contrasts, volume, texture, and layers of flavor. More than anything, I want them to understand that we make boards for others out of love. It’s an act of hospitality, intended to make someone feel special and important. When I share my story with others, it always involves talking about losing my mom suddenly a few years ago. Sadly, it sometimes takes a traumatic life event or losing someone we love to shake us up and get us to rethink our priorities. After I lost her, I decided life is too short to spend it working non stop, away from the ones we treasure so much. That’s when I decided to leave my job as an Elementary School Counselor and see what else God had in store for me. I would have never guessed that I would end up running my own business, making boards and grazing tables, and teaching others how to do the same . The best part about this, is that my mom had the incredible gift of entertaining others, bringing them together, making everyone feel loved and special and she passed that gift on to me. Now, I get to use that same gift of serving others by doing what I love, and honoring my mom all at the same time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Prosper. We are really far north in the suburbs and it’s not uncommon for Dallas friends to feel as if they are driving out to Oklahoma when they visit. The places I love the most usually involve food (big shock there), cozy environments and have a quaint, vintage or eclectic feel to them. I thrive on the way places me feel.

We would probably start off the day with breakfast/brunch in Historic Downtown Mckinney on the square…either at Spoons or Snug. Both are super cute and have great food and coffee. After that, we would take our time walking around the square, shopping at all the vintage antique stores, unique boutiques and small businesses. It would be extra great if this was on a Saturday and we could walk through the Mckinney Farmer’s market, too. And if it was a perfect world, the Mckinney Old Red Lumberyard Junk Market would be going on and we could find so many cool things. After that, we would drive around and look at all the beautiful houses that have been restored, or not restored. The houses just off the square there are so beautiful and original. There’s nothing cookie cutter about it and I love that. The trees are old and big and people just walk to town and spend the day. It’s a life I covet and hope to enjoy one day!

Besides that, of all the thousands of restaurants, parks, shopping, and amazing places around us in the Dallas area, I would choose to come right back to my home in Prosper. We have a beautiful lot where the kids can play outside, run around, swim, play baseball and anything else that gets them dirty. Our favorite way to enjoy our friends is here at home. My husband uses his smoker to make pulled pork, ribs, bbq bologna, etc. and it makes the entire acre around our house smell delicious. And since it’s a slow process, we get plenty of quality time relaxing in the sun by the pool, or sitting on the back patio, with a board made by me, of course. This is where I would choose to be with my best friend. Time spent doing less can be so much more valuable than anything we could possibly squeeze in.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
None of this would have happened without the encouragement, support and literal push I got from my friends. They stood behind me with their hands on my back just pushing me forward, one step at a time. I owe the start of this business to them, for sure. With that being said, I would have already failed at this without my family. Particularly, my husband, Troy. Without his constant support, I truly believe I would have given up long ago. We have 3 children (12, 10, and 6) that are involved in sports, music, school, social events, etc. As a mom that cares more about family than anything in the world, it can be really hard to miss out on those things. My husband has been an incredible partner in this by helping with the kids without even asking, delivering boards, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, folding the laundry, and so much more. Above and beyond that, he shows up for me emotionally when I need it. The very second he sees the “look” on my face, the tears welling up in my eyes, the tone in my voice, he just wraps his arms around me and tells me to let it all out. He’s comforting, supportive, encouraging, and always helpful. And he does it all without a single complaint. That’s what I appreciate the most. .

x

Website: www.boardandbread.com

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

Linkedin: Katie Henry

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