We were lucky to catch up with Tonya Wright recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tonya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?
My very first paid event for CharcuTene was a client appreciation event hosted by a local real estate agent. One of the guests happened to be the father of a bride-to-be. Throughout the event, he raved about the cart, took photos and told me I would be perfect for his daughter’s wedding. I appreciated the compliment, but as a brand-new business owner, I didn’t think much of it.
A few months later, he followed through on his promise. He passed my information along, and his daughter hired CharcuTene for her wedding earlier this year. It was a huge milestone for my business.
What makes the story even more special is that his support didn’t stop there. Since then, he has become one of my biggest advocates, recommending CharcuTene to anyone who will listen. Most recently, when I sponsored a hole at a local women’s golf tournament, he surprised me by contributing an additional $500 toward the sponsorship simply because he wanted to support my business.
As an entrepreneur, you never forget the people who believe in you before everyone else does. His kindness reminded me that sometimes the greatest gift isn’t money—it’s having someone genuinely champion your success.
Tonya, 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?
My name is Tonya Wright, and I am the founder of CharcuTene, a veteran-owned mobile charcuterie business based in Northern Virginia. CharcuTene (pronounced “Char-ku-ta-nay”) combines the word charcuterie with my middle name, Tene, an African word meaning love. That meaning is at the heart of everything I do because I believe food has a unique way of bringing people together and creating connection.
Before launching CharcuTene, I spent more than 20 years serving in the U.S. Air Force and later transitioned into supporting senior leadership at the U.S. Department of State. Throughout my career, I developed a passion for planning, hospitality, and creating memorable experiences for people. What started as a creative outlet quickly grew into a business when I realized there was a demand for elevated, visually stunning food experiences that were both approachable and personal.
CharcuTene specializes in mobile charcuterie cart service, grazing tables, charcuterie boards, snack boxes, and customized catering experiences for weddings, corporate events, retirement celebrations, grand openings, client appreciation events, and private parties. My goal is to take something as simple as sharing food and turn it into an interactive experience that encourages guests to gather, connect, and celebrate.
What sets CharcuTene apart is the experience. Anyone can put meat and cheese on a board, but I focus on presentation, customization, and hospitality. Whether I’m creating a luxury grazing display for a wedding or serving guests from my mobile cart, I want every client to feel like their event is special and uniquely theirs. I also love incorporating personal touches that reflect the client’s style, theme, or story.
One of the things I am most proud of is building CharcuTene from the ground up while working full-time and preparing for an exciting new chapter as a Foreign Service Office Management Specialist. In a relatively short period of time, I have had the opportunity to serve weddings, corporate clients, military retirement celebrations, community events, and countless special occasions. Every booking represents someone trusting me to be part of an important moment in their lives, and I never take that for granted.
The biggest thing I want people to know about CharcuTene is that we are about more than charcuterie. We are about connection, celebration, and creating memorable experiences. Whether it’s an intimate gathering of friends or a large-scale event, my goal is for guests to walk away remembering not just the food, but how they felt while sharing it.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
One thing nobody warned me about when I started my business is that I wasn’t just becoming a business owner—I was also becoming a content creator!
When I launched CharcuTene, I thought my biggest challenges would be learning food regulations, pricing, marketing, and event logistics. What I didn’t realize was that social media would become such an important part of growing the business. Suddenly I was learning how to film videos, edit reels, write captions, understand algorithms, and figure out what people actually wanted to see online.
I’m still learning every day, but my audience has grown steadily because I’ve focused on consistency rather than perfection. I make it a point to capture photos and videos at every event, and my Meta glasses have been a game changer for getting behind-the-scenes footage. Whether it’s setting up a grazing table, serving guests from the cart, or showing the final presentation, I try to document the journey and share it with my followers.
After every event, I create reels, posts, and stories to showcase the experience. Not every post goes viral, and that’s okay. My goal is simply to stay visible, tell my story, and remind people that CharcuTene is here when they’re planning their next event.
My advice for anyone just starting out is simple: don’t wait until everything is perfect. Post anyway. Your first videos won’t be your best videos, and your first posts probably won’t get much engagement. That’s normal. Consistency beats perfection every time. Show your work, share your personality, and let people see the human behind the business. Over time, those small efforts add up and your audience will grow right alongside your business.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Two books have had a significant impact on how I think about leadership, customer service, and entrepreneurship: *It’s My Pleasure: The Impact of Extraordinary Talent and a Compelling Culture* by Dee Ann Turner and *The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience* by Joseph A. Michelli.
What I love about both books is that they focus on something I believe wholeheartedly: people may come for a product or service, but they return because of how you make them feel.
*It’s My Pleasure* gave me a deeper appreciation for the power of culture, relationships, and genuine hospitality. The book shares lessons from Chick-fil-A’s approach to leadership and customer service, emphasizing that exceptional experiences don’t happen by accident—they are intentionally created through people, values, and consistency.
*The New Gold Standard* explores the customer experience philosophy behind The Ritz-Carlton, a brand known worldwide for exceptional service. One of the biggest lessons I took away is that every interaction matters. True luxury isn’t necessarily about expensive products; it’s about making people feel seen, valued, and cared for.
Both books have heavily influenced how I approach CharcuTene. At the end of the day, I’m serving cheese, charcuterie, and grazing experiences—but my real goal is to create memorable moments. I want clients to feel heard throughout the planning process, guests to feel welcomed when they approach the cart, and everyone to walk away feeling like they were part of something special.
For entrepreneurs, especially those in service-based businesses, I’d highly recommend both books. They remind us that while products matter, exceptional customer experiences are often what transform first-time customers into lifelong advocates.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charcutene.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charcutene/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/CharcuTene/61587615470633/#
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-wright-a817503b3
