Meet Taylor Hicks | Charcuterie Board Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Hicks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
FEAR has two meanings for me: “You can Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise”. Life is challenging, starting a business is challenging, taking care of your family is challenging, and nobody ever said it was going to be easy. We have two choices in life we give up and retreat or face it and succeed. When you’re pursuing your passion giving up shouldn’t be a part of your vocabulary. As a new small business owner, I didn’t take into account the little things that make a business such as materials, licensing, insurance, websites, social media, etc.; I just knew I wanted to create something beautiful and share that with as many people as I could reach. The stress of the behind the scenes can be intimidating and I will admit I almost gave up not wanting to deal with it all, but then I remembered I love what I do and love to see the joy my charcuterie boards bring to people across Arizona; while giving me a creative outlet from my normal every day life. Remember, you can Face Everything And Rise (FEAR).

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Charcuterie is a very on trend business right now and to break out into this market can be a challenge, but what sets apart Taylored Charcuterie is the personal touch I give to every board I make. Tay(i)loring gifts and events to meet your dreams is what I live for. I am excited to share everything I have learned through this creative outlet and I am continuously learning more ways to make my business blossom. To say it was easy to jump into a new adventure would be a lie. It is terrifying to put all your energy physically, emotionally, and financially into the unknown. Having a support system is the greatest way to overcome these challenges. My family and friends have been incredibly encouraging and have given me the confidence to say, “I can do this.”
Throughout this journey I’ve learned it’s trial and error to make a business successful. I’ve learned there is so much more to the behind the scenes, and while making a beautiful product/display is magic in itself, what truly makes or breaks a business is the planning and work ethic that goes into every detail of your brand.
Taylored Charcuterie started out as a hobby I had a passion for. I always talked about having my own business creating these beautiful boards and maybe even dabble in event planning one day. When the opportunity presented itself I was hesitant to take it public, but then I realized if not today, then when? While my career in healthcare is amazing and the companies I work for are incredible, I wanted something more. Everyone dreams of having a career that will not only pay the bills, but will truly make you happy. With this business and my career in occupational therapy, I am finding that I can have it all. And at the end of the day I am simply a woman trying to bring beauty to your table, happiness to your belly, and a smile to your face.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
While I have only lived in Arizona since summer of 2018 and still have so much to see, it has been the best experience. I can’t say enough great things about the beautiful desert. I love the outdoors and nothing beats an Arizona sunset. Hiking through the Superstition Mountains, driving up to Sedona/Payson/Flagstaff, renting an ATV, or visiting one of the many lakes in the surrounding areas to go fishing are on my top list of must dos. As a country loving woman, my favorite places to dance are Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row in Downtown Gilbert and Denim and Diamonds in Mesa. Whenever I have visitors, Downtown Gilbert and Downtown Chandler are my go to spots for a good ol’ Sunday Funday. There are a variety of restaurants/bars all within walking distance of one another and perfect for any group who want a little bit of everything. Some of my favorite restaurants to take guests to include Postino’s, Arizona Wilderness, San Tan Brewing, and Bobby-Q. My husband and I also love finding new breweries (and Arizona has a lot), so you’re guaranteed to make a stop or two when visiting us. Arizona has so much to offer and I can’t wait to explore more places to share with my friends and family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am dedicating my shoutout to my husband, Michael. He has always supported me in every aspect of my life whether it was through school, moving to a new state, becoming a therapist, and now this new business. Whenever I have a crazy idea he is always the first one to say go for it and is the brains behind every operation. So I just want to say thank you to him for allowing me to pursue my dreams.

Website: www.TayloredCharcuterie.com

Instagram: @tayloredcharcuterie

Facebook: Taylored Charcuterie