Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Stubbs.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I started Coastal Graze, I honestly thought it would be just a small and fun side thing to do. In the fall of 2024, I started to really feel something in me to start something new that I could call original and my own. What that something new was, I did not know at that time. See, I have two small boys (now 4 and 1), and have been a part time stay at home mom since last May. I am a registered nurse and have a background working in the food service industry for almost 17 years. Both of those professions I still currently hold, but have always felt something in me that wanted to start my own creative business of some sort. I wanted to be able to find my niche, have more home life with my family, and become my own boss. I wanted to be able to create something unique and different in our area that I had not seen before, but could not determine what that would be.
Last year, I started making charcuterie boards for friends and family gatherings as something different people could enjoy before the big meal. At one event, I had a friend who came to me and said “Hey, you should pre-make these and sale them!”. It was as if a light bulb flashed in my mind. Putting together my genuine love for food, food service industry knowledge, creative mindset, and love for always bringing people together, and how I’ve always enjoyed hosting I thought, this could work.
At first, I did a few small boards and spreads and treated it as just a hobby, but the positive feedback kept growing and people started asking me to make boards for their events, and that’s when I realized there might be something more to it. From there, I began doing small orders, researching food safety, sourcing quality ingredients, and building my brand. I taught myself a lot — from design and presentation to social media marketing and customer service. I spent a lot of late nights staying up late practicing my boards, reading articles on charcuterie, and researching through the power of social media. It definitely wasn’t overnight; I took time to understand the business side, develop a pricing model, and test what worked and what didn’t. I had no clue what it all entailed to start a small business at first, but very thankful for local friends who are business owners who have helped me with that portion. I became certified, insured, and licensed. I started to work on what I wanted this to be and grow into and told myself I would stick to it no matter the challenges. Now, I not only offer those original small boards, I have a mobile charcuterie cart which is the first of its kind in our area and surrounding areas.
Looking back over the last almost year, I am still amazed at how far my once side hustle has now started to grow into a steady business. I believe what got me to where I am today is consistency, word of mouth, a lot of prayers and encouragement, and a passion for making every board feel like a unique experience. I’ve grown through trial and error, listening to customer feedback, and constantly improving. Now, whether I’m doing corporate events, weddings, or custom orders, I still focus on the same goal: making food beautiful, enjoyable, and memorable.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, like with any small business, there have been challenges along the way. In the beginning, one of the biggest struggles was just figuring everything out on my own: from learning the food I was preparing, how to price my boards correctly, where to source quality ingredients consistently, how to manage time during busy seasons, and even how to legally operate — from food safety certifications to local regulations. Also, how to manage starting a small business, a part time job, and being a parent.
Another challenge was building visibility. We live in a fast paced social media society. It’s almost necessary for a business to promote and market on social media because of how powerful it can be at getting your business out there. Starting my social media accounts to get people to notice my work and trust me with their events took persistence. It is different when you are the user scrolling through posts versus the one making the posts consistently to catch the users eye. I had to learn how to market myself effectively, build relationships with local vendors, and really lean into customer service to generate word-of-mouth referrals. I like to work with each client and specifically determine what they want and expect.
There were also moments of doubt, especially during times where I have wanted to stop, personally disliked a creation, or when I didn’t have but a few orders coming in. Those moments can make me feel so unmotivated and discouraged, but I learned to treat those moments as lessons instead of failures. Every struggle taught me how to be more resilient, efficient, and adaptable and honestly, those experiences have helped shape the business into what it is today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is called Coastal Graze. My business is all about creating beautifully crafted, thoughtfully curated charcuterie experiences that bring people together. We specialize in aesthetically pleasing charcuterie boards, mobile charcuterie cart, grazing tables, and custom boxes for events of all sizes from intimate date nights to large weddings, corporate gatherings, and everything in between. What really sets us apart is the level of customization and heart that goes into every order. I’m always saying, “Let me know what I can make for you,” because I truly want each order to feel unique to the person or occasion. Whether someone has dietary restrictions, a theme in mind, or a special memory they want to reflect in the spread, I love working one-on-one to bring that vision to life.
We’re known for our beautiful mobile charcuterie cart, appealing presentation, fresh, high-quality ingredients, and our ability to turn grazing into a moment of celebration. I take pride in sourcing locally when possible, supporting other small businesses, and building something that feels both personal and professional. We work with many local businesses for collaborations of product and for “pop-up” events. We take pride in creating boards that feel special and memorable not just something you eat, but something you talk about long after the event.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how Coastal Graze has grown into something that brings people joy and connection. Whether it’s a gift, a party centerpiece, or just a treat for yourself or someone you love, we aim to make every order feel thoughtful and elevated. Our mission is to make people feel celebrated and cared for through food.
For anyone who’s just discovering us: we offer the mobile charcuterie cart, custom charcuterie boards, boxes, and event grazing setup and we are always open to creative ideas. We’re here to help you celebrate the little moments and the big milestones with something custom, creative, and delicious. Most importantly, we love connecting with our customers to create something that feels just right for them.
Let us know what we can make for you.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I would have to say the most important quality behind my success is genuine attentiveness to my customers, to the details, and to the overall experience. I truly care about what people are celebrating, what they have in mind, and how I can bring that to life in a creative way. I like to include them on the whole order and prepping process to ensure a positive experience. I always say “If i can help take one thing off your plate when hosting” because I genuinely don’t want them to feel any added stress. I believe that to be the food service and nursing experience in me. Just like in a restaurant, you want your guests to have a great experience and you want to provide a experience they will want to come back and enjoy. The same thought process goes into my business. I want people to feel heard, valued, and excited about what they’re receiving.
I also think consistency and care go a long way. I treat every board or table like it matters because it does. Whether it’s the way ingredients are layered, how colors are balanced, or making sure delivery is smooth, I put intention behind every step. That level of personal investment is what keeps people coming back, and it’s something I never want to lose, no matter how much the business grows.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @coastalgrazenc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571225793810
