We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chelsea Foulk. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chelsea below.

Chelsea, appreciate you joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss? What did you learn from them? Maybe you can share a story that illustrates the kind of boss they were or maybe you can share your thoughts on what you think made them an awesome person to work for?

I will never forget the day I walked into a small food co-op in Iowa (New Pioneer) and upon checking out turning to my mom and saying out loud “I could work here!”. The man checking us out handed me his card and introduced himself as the store manager, Brad Lynch. Within a couple weeks I was hired and dove deep into the world of cheese mongering and specialty foods. Brad took me under my wing and showed me not only the ins and outs of running a department but how to be a leader. He taught me kindness and patience when leading a team and lit a fire in me I didn’t know was missing. I will never forget the positive energy he brought to work day in and day out and I strive to carry that with me every time I step into the kitchen. I’m currently a one woman show, but my goal is to open my own shop one day and I know that when that day comes I will treat every single employee the way I was treated in that special little co-op in Iowa, in hopes that they can one day follow their dreams and have the confidence to do so! Never underestimate the power of an amazing leader. Thank you, Brad!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I own and operate Across the Board 314. I create custom charcuterie boards and grazing tables! I’ve heard to us referred to as “food stylists” before but I think “dairy designer” also has a nice ring to it. ;-) (I’m partly kidding)

I started working as a cheese monger at a small grocery co-op in my 20’s and have been fortunate enough to work with some of the most knowledgable + inspiring mentors/peers ever since. From cheese makers to master sommeliers i’ve been soaking up as much knowledge as I can!
I was actually working as a purchaser for Whole Foods Market focusing on beer, wine + spirits when the pandemic hit. ATB was born as a chance for friends and family to gather and try to find any bit of normalcy in the chaos that was 2020. It started as a hobby and quickly turned into this magnificent little being. I was hit hard with post covid and was in a rather fortunate position to step away from my full time gig and focus on ATB and my health.
ATB is LGBTQIA+ owned and focuses on not only bringing you good food but also inclusivity and acceptance. I am a firm believer that everyone deserves to enjoy the finer things in life and that everyone deserves a space to feel safe. Food brings people together. It brings laughter, love, conversation & connection. I take so much pride in my work and being able to offer these things to people.

My menu includes everything from single serve options up to grazing tables for 100+ people & I specialize in pairings and pushing those who are indulging to try new and different things.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Oh man, this is such a great question. Some of my customers have become such important people in my life. I strive to treat each customer like family and to always go above and beyond with the boards I create for them. Themes are a good example of this. I have a section on my order page where you can tell me if your board is for a special event and I’ll be dammed if I don’t come up with something fun for it! Your people will remember these types of things, at least I know I would! You tell me that you’re taking your board to Nashville you know its going to come equipt with mini pink cowboy hats and have a Shania Twain reference on it! Tell me we’re not going to be friends after that! ;-) Social media has played a big part in this as well. I try to be as real as possible on my page and often end up chatting on my stories while sitting in my car just talking about life, ATB, fun products or my dogs. It’s really amazing the amount of people you can connect with by simply just showing up and being relatable. I am a human first, business owner second and I think a lot of people tend to find that refreshing. One of my most favorite friendships i’ve made through ATB was because we bonded over the influx of crickets in our yards this summer and how we loathe them. It’s the little things, yano?

How’d you meet your business partner?

While she has since stepped away from ATB to focus on her family I feel it’s very important to mention Missy. Missy and I met while working at Whole Foods Market and I actually HEARD her before I ever met her and I knew from that moment we were going to get along perfectly. ATB would not be where it is today without Missy taking a chance and starting a business with her best friend. The first year of any business is so important and special and I truly could not have done it without her. Thank you, Missy for all that you have done for both me, and ATB. Highly recommend starting a business with your bestie, It will teach you some invaluable lessons.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.acrosstheboard314.com
• Instagram: @Acrosstheboard314
• Facebook: Across the Board 314

Image Credits
Dillon Goodson