We were lucky to catch up with Jacqueline Abad recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jacqueline thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Well one of the riskiest things that I have ever done was starting this business. After getting a taste of a charcuterie board in 2018 in Houston, tx while out and about with my friends from college, I couldn’t help but to fall in love with the concept of charcuterie. In 2020 it seems that the charcuterie trend was popping up everywhere. It was constantly on social media and I was thinking to my self “I can do that”. I was in love with the concept of assembling different meats, cheeses, textures, flavors. I decided to take a charcuterie workshop class and began creating the idea of Jack n’ Cheese, I took a leap of faith and I haven’t looked back since.

Jacqueline , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

You know getting into the food industry has been a goal and passion of mine from a young age. I can vividly remember being nine or ten years old, flipping through channels in my abuelas house and coming across the food channel. It’s so odd thinking of a nine year old watching Iron chef America for fun (haha). It was something that genuinely caught my eye and I was hooked with cooking and being in the kitchen. I always knew that I wanted to be in the food industry, but I didn’t know which route to take. To be a executive chef, or a pastry chef, a baker, there was just so many possibilities. Even though they all interest me to a certain extent, I couldn’t find my calling.
I became aware of the what charcuterie was in 2018 after having one at a restaurant in Houston, Tx. The girls and I got all done up, headed out to a restaurant, the wine was flowing just right. Of course the munchies hit and the most beautiful charcuterie board landed right in front of us. That shit latest 20 minutes. A core memory was created that night, laughing, drinking, enjoying that moment in time with the best people in my life.
I have found a great joy in being around food, and I hope I can help create those key memories for other people.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I mean social media is what makes a lot of small businesses successful. It can help reach a wide range of people. I feel that I still don’t have the social media part down, as in speaking, showing my face, expressing my feelings. I’m just still intimidated by the whole social media. Which I’m okay with, one day I’ll be able to talk on camera and just live my free self. At this moment though I’m okay with how I handle my social media. I can always do better and that’s the goal. To all my future entrepreneurs you move at your pace, move on your time, move on your merits.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

When I started giving more attention and thought to charcuterie, I honestly had no clue what I was doing. Meaning where do I even start! Now I know this question is meeting a business partner/cofounder, but I had to give this recognition to my mentor. The individual who has assisted me with almost everything I have learned about running a charcuterie business. The most fabulous Mrs. Ainsley Lopez aka La Tablera gave me my first taste of a charcuterie business. I remember looking through her Instagram page and literally being in awe with her work. So I ordered a box from her.
She delivered it straight to me, and I legit told her “I’m interested in starting my own business, can I work for you, you don’t have to pay me, I’m just interested in learning”
I told a random stranger that I would work for them for FREE! I really just wanted to put myself out there. She called me up on a brunch grazing table for 20 people a week later.
She place each fruit, cheese, and meat in their perfect spot, and she explained as she went. She gave me my chance, she had confidence in me, before I could even had that feeling for my self. Literally the definition of women empowerment.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _jackncheese
• Other: Able to order at [email protected]