Protecting Your Brand at All Costs: The Art of Food Entrepreneurship | Andrea & Derek Johnston

Send us a text Derek and Andrea Johnston share their journey from enjoying a charcuterie board on their first date to founding The Gathering Board, a successful charcuterie business started during the pandemic. • Started business without formal planning after discovering no similar services existed in their area • Built their website in three days and received their first non-friend order while grocery shopping • Initially operated as a "bootleg" business until securing proper licensing and a commercial space • Gained traction through Facebook group "Cherokee Connect," generating 500 website visits overnight • Adopted Gordon Ramsay"s quality standards after Andrea watched Hell"s Kitchen while recovering from a broken jaw • Expanded from small home delivery boards to event catering, now representing 75% of their business • Secured their liquor license to provide full-service events including charcuterie and their signature "Pasta Baby" dish • Partner with Rally Foundation for childhood cancer research, raising $20,000 through donated services • Now employ a manager plus several staff members after five years in business • Maintain the same high standards for every client regardless of size or profile Follow the same high standards for all your work because you never know when a small job will lead to a major opportunity – many clients try a small order before booking a wedding or large event. andrea@thegatheringboard.co https://www.instagram.com/thegatheringboard.co/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/thegatheringboard.co/?ref=_xav_ig_profile_page_web# www.thegatheringboard.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-johnston-70a8271bb/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-johnston-4806746a/ #rallyfoundation#pastababy#focaccia#cherokeecountyfacebook#rallyontherunway#charcuterieboard#love#wine#pasta#grazingtables#catering#delivery#Atlanta#smallbusiness#money#entreprenuer