Conversations with Hayley Meeker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayley Meeker.

Hi Hayley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Of course! My name is Hayley Meeker and my small business is Bella Fresca Boards. Bella Fresca was born in 2021 while I was working full-time as a nurse in a COVID-19 ICU. I made my first board as a lunch for myself and my fiance on a Sunday afternoon and I found it surprisingly therapeutic. After sharing it on my personal Facebook page, my friends and family loved it and encouraged me to begin making them regularly. The rest, as they say, is history. Bella Fresca came about during the most challenging time of my life and I didn’t realize how much it would mean to me.

It served as not only a hobby to keep me busy during the days of lockdown and social distancing, but it was also a way that I could bring a bit of joy to myself and those around me when many of my days were bleak and there was little hope for an end to the pandemic. Now that I and Bella Fresca have made it to a brighter chapter of life, I get to enjoy making beautiful boards for people not as an escape but as a genuine hobby.

From miniature boards for one as a lunch on the go to large boards for some of the most important events in people’s lives, my creations bring others joy and that is all I can ask for. It serves as a reminder to me of where I’ve come from and how far I can go.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been relatively smooth so far?
This road, though fun, has not always been easy. My biggest challenge has been maintaining the momentum of Bella Fresca during times of change in my own life. These include transitioning to a completely different field of nursing, getting engaged, selling my home, buying another home with my fiance, and planning the wedding of our dreams.

I did have to take a hiatus from Bella Fresca for several months while I settled nearly every other facet of my life. Now that I am established in my career and this chapter of my journey, I have the time and energy yet again to dedicate to making beautiful boards for my customers. I can truly say that I love making my creations now more than ever before.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I focus primarily on custom charcuterie boards from mini-sized boards for a personal lunch to larger grazing boards for 10+ people.

Charcuterie is something that not everyone knows by name, but we’ve all enjoyed it at one point or another. “Charcuterie” refers to the way meats were kept fresh before the days of refrigeration, such as dry-aged salami and cured pepperoni. Over time and into the modern age, this term has broadened to include aged cheeses, pickles, olives, dried fruits, nuts, and dried bread or crackers.

I use dry aged and cured meats in my boards along with the traditional aforementioned ingredients, but I also love customizing them to people’s tastes, themes, and preferences. I use a basic algorithm to decide what to include and in what proportions and build upon that to tailor each board to my customers’ specific tastes and preferences. I have made keto boards, vegetarian boards, white-meat-only boards, allergen-friendly boards, and children’s television show-themed boards.

My main goal is to use my creations to be the perfect fit for someone’s event or even just their work lunch. I also love including small touches such as hand-stamped thank you notes with every order, wrapping boards with a bow, and delivering and setting up boards that will be displayed at events to ensure that everything is perfectly placed.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love any book or podcast that promotes positivity and encourages me to be the best version of myself while also giving me permission to rest and be kind to myself. My favorite podcasts currently are “Help Me Be Me” by Sarah May, “Self Care IRL” by Ty Alexander, and “That Sounds Fun” by Annie F. Downs.

These are my go-to’s for encouragement, help when I’m seeking clarity, and assurance that any doubts or struggles that I have are universal and there is a way to work through them. My current favorite authors include Rachel Held Evans, Annie F. Downs, and Sharon Hodde Miller.

Their works are primarily faith-based, but they offer insight and advice on balancing life, work, and self-care while flourishing in all three. I also use the journal app Day One regularly. It is a huge outlet for me to express my thoughts and emotions and the daily prompts are helpful as well.

Pricing:

• Mini (serves one) – $10
• Small (serves 2-4) – $45
• Medium (serves 5-7) – $75
• Large (serves 8-10) – $100
• Specialty letter or number boards – $50/letter or number

Contact Info:

• Email: bellafrescaboards@gmail.com
• Phone: 615-604-9923
• Instagram: @bellafrescaboards
• Facebook: Bella Fresca Boards

Image Credits
Molly Mae Photography and Hayley Meeker