Meet Vanessa

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vanessa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I have 3 people in mind who’ve molded my work ethic first two are my parents. Growing up, I watched my dad work two jobs at two hospitals, he’d wake up around 5 a.m., work until the afternoon, and head straight to his next shift, often getting home around midnight. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, which is already a full-time job, but once we got older, she started her own small business cleaning houses in the San Gabriel Valley.

Both of my parents came to the United States with nothing but a dream of creating a better life for us. Even when times were tough, they never let us see them struggle. They made sure we always felt financially secure. Seeing their dedication, resilience, and sacrifices taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. It’s something that’s stayed with me in everything I do, especially as a small business owner.

My second biggest inspiration is my husband. He’s one of the hardest working people I know. Serving in the military while being a loving, hands on dad to our three kids. I can’t give him enough credit for constantly pushing me to keep going and reminding me that every experience, good or bad, is a lesson learned. Most importantly, he reminds me how rich I already am in life because of our family. That mindset gratitude, resilience, and purpose has shaped how I show up in my business every day.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

What I do is bring people together through food. In my family, get togethers have always been centered around sharing a meal, and that’s something I carry into my business. Life can get so busy, but I believe enjoying a handcrafted charcuterie box slows you down it gives you a moment to be present. Whether it’s sending a box to a loved one or unwinding with one after a long day, there’s something special about it that just hits the spot.

What I love most is how my business has allowed me to connect with amazing people who share that same passion and hustle in the small business world. It’s more than just creating beautiful boards it’s about creating moments, connections, and memories through food.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey are stepping out of my comfort zone, pushing through imposter syndrome, and having faith that things will work out. You never really know how something will turn out unless you try and what if it does go right?

Even when things don’t go as planned, it’s never a loss; it’s a lesson. Every experience teaches me something new not just in my business, but in my roles as a mother, a wife, and a friend. Those moments of growth and reflection are what keep me grounded and motivated to keep going.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I start to feel overwhelmed, I try to focus on what I can control. I also look to my husband for guidance he’s great at helping me slow down, break things into steps, and reminding me to take it one thing at a time. His support means a lot, especially on the harder days.

I also carry a lesson I learned years ago while working at a little café. During busy rushes, we’d start with one or two food tickets, and suddenly there’d be twenty. My store manager, Yanira, once told me, “Start from the beginning and go down. Regardless, all these tickets need to get taken care of.” That advice stuck with me. Even though I don’t work there anymore, it still applies to running my business today take it one task at a time, stay calm, and keep going.

For anyone managing a business, I’d strongly suggest setting yourself up a day or two before your orders or events. Preparing ahead makes a huge difference and helps you manage your time wisely so you don’t feel like you’re racing against the clock.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Charcuterie_2GO