We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenn Barazon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenn below.
Jenn, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.
My small business, Shareable Boards, was born during the pandemic in 2020. This coming October, Shareable Boards will be celebrating its third anniversary and is continuing to thrive all while I’m trying to ensure different aspects of my life don’t fall apart. Juggling being a first-time mom to a three year old toddler, a wife, a full-time remote corporate employee, and a small business entrepreneur, I’m in a constant state of burnout. I’m still learning and figuring out what does it mean to have a work-life-balance and how to avoid being in a constant state of burnout.
As I started Shareable Boards, I poured myself into my small business that was built from the ground up. I was taking on orders upon orders, while working a remote and full-time career in the healthcare industry. I continued the grind from 2020 to 2021, which barely left me with any hours in the day for my family and most of all myself. I was on auto-pilot, running on empty, not present within an empty shell. I reached the point past burnout.
In 2022, I reached my breaking point and realized that if I continued operating like this, I’ll run myself into the ground and this lifestyle is not sustainable. I took some much needed time off, reflected, and asked myself “Why did I start Shareable Boards in the first place?” In that moment, I remembered I started Shareable Boards because I loved creating cheese and charcuterie boards for my husband and I to share. The irony as Shareable Boards grew quickly, I spent less time with my husband. I knew things had to immediately change.
With my realization, I went into 2023 with a new mindset to overcome burnout. Things that have helped me are:
1) Boundaries – Answering inquiries during business hours only and not feeling the pressure to drop everything and respond instantly.
2) Do Not Disturb – Turning on the do not disturb setting on my phone after business hours, so that my phone and notifications are not taking time away with loved ones and being present.
3) No – Protecting my time by limiting the amount of orders I accept. I have a great network of other cheese and charcuterie businesses that I am more than happy to refer and share business with.
4) Systems – Building systems that are automated and efficient. For example, my website has my up-to-date availability and customers can order directly online. Also, my customer relationship management (CRM) system manages by customer’s information by keeping data organized and centralized. This allows me to gain more time in other aspects of my life.
5) Making Myself a Priority – Putting my well-being first. I make it a point everyday to prioritize sleep, eat nourishing food, exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes daily which get my endorphins going, and dedicate quiet time for myself.
With these changes in my life, it has allowed me to be more present, more at peace, more energy, more happy, and most of all more time back to create unforgettable and meaningful memories with my husband and daughter.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My passion for cheese and charcuterie boards started during the lockdown in May 2020. Since the world and my family was not able to go out, I began making cheese and charcuterie boards for my husband and I to share. I enjoyed creating them so much that I was inspired to create Shareable Boards. I posted my first Instagram post in September 2020, sold my first Shareable Board in October 2020, and decided to start my small business. I filed all my necessary paperwork, found a local cafe to use their commercial kitchen, and the rest was history.
Serving the San Gabriel Valley, Shareable Boards is a shared cheese and charcuterie experience delivered to your doorstep.
We offer beautifully crafted cheese and charcuterie boxes, boards, and grazing tables made for sharing.
We offer workshop experiences where you can learn the art of creating your own Shareable Board.
As the main creator of each Shareable Board, I put a lot of thought and love into each creation. Even if I use the same ingredients, each creation is inspired by my mood, the vibe of the day, the music I’m listening to, and the season. Each Shareable Board is truly unique.
As each Shareable Board is enjoyed at celebrations, corporate events, and special gatherings, I want people to feel and remember, it’s moments that matter when you’re gathered with your loved ones, stories are told, delicious food is shared, and memories are created at the center of each Shareable Board.
It’s more than cheese and charcuterie, it’s experiences made for sharing.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that were the most impactful in my journey are 1) the ability to take risk, 2) fostering meaningful connections and relationships, and 3) believing in myself. I’d like to share a story that encompasses all of these three qualities and that has opened many opportunities for Shareable Boards.
About 5 months into Shareable Boards, I received my first corporate order. The order was to fulfill 95 Shareable Boxes and deliver to 95 different locations throughout Los Angeles. I was very intimidated because this was my first corporate order and it was the largest order at the time.
There was a part of me where I wanted to decline the order because of fear. Instead of letting fear hold me back, I accepted the order. Even though I had no clue where to start, I believed in myself. I put together a plan, organized a team, coordinated the delivery drivers, and successfully fulfilled this order. The corporate client was happy.
It was a challenging order, but the most rewarding experience to remember. I learned a lot and the experience has given me the confidence to continue to grow Shareable Boards and myself. Because of this opportunity, it has opened many doors and connections for Shareable Boards. I am grateful for this memorable milestone and experience.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one challenge I am currently facing daily is wearing multiple hats in order for Shareable Boards to grow. I handle and manage everything from sales, customer service, website maintenance, accounting, marketing, order fulfillment, delivery, and the list goes on. For sustainable growth and to allow time for myself, I need a team. I can’t grow and scale this business alone. I’m ready to overcome this challenge and to start the process of building a team. “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Contact Info:
- Website: shareableboards.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/shareableboards
- Facebook: facebook.com/shareableboards
- Yelp: yelp.com/biz/shareable-boards-west-covina
- Other: tiktok.com/@shareableboards
Image Credits
Grow Wild Photography
