Today we’d like to introduce you to Keren Furaha.
Keren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Keren Furaha, and I’m the founder of Maison Furaha La Charcuterie
, a luxury mobile charcuterie cart based in Nashville, Tennessee. The name of my business is deeply personal to me. “Furaha” is actually my name, and it means “joy” in Swahili. I chose “Maison,” which means “house” in French, because French is one of the languages I speak and an important part of my background and culture. Together, Maison Furaha represents a “house of joy,” which perfectly reflects the experience I want people to feel when they encounter my brand.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I’ve always been an entrepreneur. Even as a young girl, I was always trying to create something or sell something. I remember making grilled chicken at school and selling it to my friends, and before long, everyone wanted to buy it. Looking back now, I realize that a business mindset and a passion for serving people had already begun to develop in me at a very young age.
When I moved to the United States as an international student, I worked different jobs while pursuing my education, and every experience helped shape the entrepreneur and business owner I am today. One of my first jobs was at Chipotle Mexican Grill, where I learned the importance of teamwork, efficiency, and customer service in a fast-paced environment. Later, working at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville introduced me to the world of luxury hospitality and elevated guest experiences.
Working at Four Seasons especially changed my perspective on service. I learned that luxury is not only about appearance — it is about intention, details, personalization, and how you make people feel. That experience greatly influenced how I approach Maison Furaha today. I wanted to create more than a charcuterie setup; I wanted to create an unforgettable experience where guests feel welcomed, connected, and valued.
After completing my undergraduate degree in IT Management, I went straight into pursuing my MBA at Lipscomb University while still working at Four Seasons and balancing my internship at Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. Managing graduate school, hospitality work, internships, and entrepreneurship at the same time was challenging, but it taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of believing in my vision even during busy and uncertain seasons.
During one of our assessments in school, I scored 99% in entrepreneurship, and that moment really stayed with me. It felt like confirmation of something that had already been inside of me for years. Around that same time, I truly felt that God was guiding me toward entrepreneurship and giving me the confidence to finally build something of my own.
That vision became Maison Furaha — a luxury mobile charcuterie cart experience designed for weddings, corporate events, wellness activations, and private celebrations. What makes the business unique is the interactive experience itself. Guests are served directly from the cart, creating movement, conversation, and connection during events. Every setup is thoughtfully curated with premium ingredients, refined presentation, and personalized details to match each client’s vision.
Building a business as a Black immigrant woman has come with challenges, moments of fear, and rejection, but it has also taught me resilience and faith. One thing I always want to encourage others to do is to stop waiting for the “perfect” moment to start. So many people are afraid of rejection, failure, or what others may think, but growth comes from continuing to push forward even when things feel uncertain.
Today, I’m grateful to see Maison Furaha becoming part of so many meaningful celebrations throughout Nashville. My goal is not only to continue growing the brand into a recognized luxury experience company, but also to inspire other young entrepreneurs, immigrants, and women to believe that their story, culture, and ideas are powerful enough to build something extraordinary.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape me into the person and entrepreneur I am today.
One of the biggest challenges was balancing everything at once. After completing my undergraduate degree in IT Management, I immediately started pursuing my MBA at Lipscomb University while working at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville and balancing my internship at Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. There were days when I was managing school assignments, long work shifts, internship responsibilities, networking events, and trying to build Maison Furaha all at the same time. It required a lot of discipline, sacrifice, and faith.
Another challenge was learning how to build confidence in myself as a business owner. As a Black immigrant woman starting a luxury business, there were moments where I questioned whether people would take me seriously or whether I belonged in certain spaces. Rejection and fear can easily make you want to stop before you even begin. I had to learn not to let fear control my decisions and to continue showing up even when things felt uncertain.
Starting a business also comes with financial and operational challenges that many people do not see behind the scenes. Learning permits, licensing, pricing, branding, networking, and how to grow a business while still being a student was a huge learning process. There were moments where I felt overwhelmed trying to figure everything out on my own.
Another obstacle was stepping outside of my comfort zone. I naturally had to become more confident in networking, reaching out to brands, introducing myself to people, and putting my business out there publicly. Many opportunities came because I was willing to send that email, attend that event, or introduce myself even when I was nervous.
Through all of it, my faith in God has been one of the biggest things that kept me grounded. There were many moments where I truly felt God guiding my path and opening doors at the right time. Even during difficult seasons, I always believed there was a purpose behind the journey.
Looking back, I think the challenges were necessary because they taught me resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. They also taught me that growth often happens outside of comfort zones, and that success usually starts by simply having the courage to begin.
We’ve been impressed with Maison Furaha, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Maison Furaha La Charcuterie is a luxury mobile charcuterie cart experience based in Nashville, Tennessee. More than just catering, the brand focuses on creating elevated and interactive experiences that bring people together through food, hospitality, and connection.
What makes Maison Furaha unique is the experience itself. Instead of traditional grazing tables, guests are served directly from a beautifully curated mobile cart, creating movement, conversation, and a more engaging atmosphere during events. Every experience is intentionally designed with premium ingredients, refined presentation, and personalized details that reflect each client’s vision.
The name “Maison Furaha” is deeply personal to me. “Furaha” is my name and means “joy” in Swahili, while “Maison” means “house” in French, one of the languages I speak. Together, the name represents a “house of joy,” which reflects the feeling I want every guest to experience through the brand.
Maison Furaha specializes in luxury charcuterie experiences for weddings, corporate events, wellness activations, brand collaborations, private celebrations, and social gatherings. The brand has also partnered with local businesses, influencers, and community events throughout Nashville to create memorable guest experiences.
One thing I’m especially proud of is building a business that combines my background, culture, hospitality experience, and creativity into something meaningful. My experiences working in hospitality, including at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, greatly influenced how I approach service and guest experience. I learned that luxury is about attention to detail, intentionality, and making people feel valued.
As a Black immigrant entrepreneur originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I also hope my journey encourages others to pursue their ideas fearlessly. Building a business while completing my MBA at Lipscomb University taught me resilience, faith, and perseverance. I want readers to know that Maison Furaha is not only about charcuterie — it is about creating joy, connection, and meaningful experiences while inspiring others to believe in what is possible for themselves.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with and support Maison Furaha La Charcuterie
through event bookings, brand collaborations, pop-ups, wellness activations, corporate events, weddings, and private celebrations. We love partnering with businesses, venues, planners, influencers, and creatives who value elevated and interactive guest experiences.
Support can also come through referrals, social media engagement, and sharing our work with others. As a growing small business, community support truly means a lot.
I especially enjoy connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, women, and immigrants who are building something meaningful and creative. People can connect with us and inquire about collaborations or bookings through Instagram at @maisonfuraha
.
Pricing:
- Luxury Mobile Charcuterie Cart Experiences start at approximately $32 per person with a minimum guest count required.
Contact Info:
