Meet Judy Nowak

Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Nowak.

Hi Judy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
How I got started… I started cooking at a very young age. My mother was a single mom who worked full time and I had 4 younger brothers and sisters to cook for. We were a family of (7) brothers and sisters. I grew up watching my mother cook and kind of just took it from there. As I grew older, I learned to experiment with seasonings and different ingredients. I used to watch Julia Child all the time on TV.

When I had my own children, they also grew up knowing what a sit-down dinner was and not a lot of “fast food.” To this day I still tend to overcook sometimes thinking I am feeding a family! Home cooking tastes so much better because it’s cooked with love, passion, and some creativity when it comes to me!

In the last few years, Charcuterie has really taken off for me because there is so much creativity involved. It is beautiful, colorful, tasteful, and something food-wise for everyone. Julia Child said it best: People who Love to Eat are always the Best People. I love what I do because food brings people together!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There are always challenges and obstacles when you are trying to operate a small business.

I started mine in Texas a few years back, right when Covid was happening, it started with a neighbor! I made gift boxes for a few of the neighbors on the block. With homemade muffins and chocolate-covered strawberries, it was really starting to go strong. I was making Teacher Appreciation gift boxes for their children to bring to school, then I was making platters for their parties!

Then I up and moved to Nashville and had to start all over from the ground up (what I call Ground Zero) not knowing anyone or the town very well. Especially not knowing what competition or similar services were out there.

That’s when I really had to start getting creative and get myself out there first by meeting new people!

I relocated to Nashville in June of 2021.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work a full-time job and my small business during my off hours. I like to say, an office worker by Day and an Entrepreneur by Night! I have been in the accounting field for over 20 years. I have always had a side job that I love doing along the way.

I’ve dabbled in the music business and the food business. I’m most proud of the fact I live by the saying, you never work a day in your life if you are doing something you love! And I stay true to myself and that all my customers are happy. I strive for that. What sets me apart from the others is that when people request a Charcuterie box or board mine are more known as getting a box or board full of surprises! My customer feedback has always been just that!

When I do boxes, you can just keep eating and digging, and you still find more hidden items! My boards, I tend to personalize. I find a center and work around it.

By that I mean, I did the Nashville Honey Festival last year and was in the VIP tent. I had this BIG bumble bee that I used as my centerpiece and worked around it. If it is a wedding table or board, I will ask the couple a few questions, rather it is their color scheme, last initial, or food they are serving, and I will throw in a few surprises and work around their menu. I can’t give all my secrets away!

We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define my success by ALL my clients/customers being happy, that they highly recommend me, and repeat customers!

Pricing:

• $10.00 (1 person box)
• $40.00 (2-4 person box)
• $75.00 (serves up to 10-person box)
• $200.00 (board serves 30+)
• $400.00 (starts a 4′ table)

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.charcuterieandmorebyjudy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CharcuterieAndMoreByJudy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharcuterieAndMoreByJudy 

Image Credits
Charcuterie and More by Judy