Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Robinson Sotomayor.
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In August of 2020, after months of quarantining, I desperately missed ordering cheese and charcuterie plates out at restaurants! My motto was always “Cheese for dinner,”… and months of having to plan and cook actual meals every night made me miss them even more! I figured other people might be in the same boat and decided to sell personal cheese boards. From there, The Cheese Chica was born and has turned into a fun outlet for everything from date night charcuterie boards to party platters to grazing tables, cheeseBOARDING School classes, cocktail lessons, recipes, and more!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge I think any small business owner faces is TIME. What originally started as “Maybe I’ll sell 2-3 boxes a weekend!” turned into 16-hour days REAL quick. From October to January, I would be up at 5 am prepping and making boards and boxes, then cleaning my work kitchen, then home to put my daughter to bed, then all of the shopping trips (from 7:30-11 pm) to replenish my supply, then home to send confirmation emails and invoices. The burnout was real! Learning to say “No” and set boundaries for myself and my sanity has been my BIGGEST hurdle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I truly love the creative outlet The Cheese Chica has provided me. I so enjoy inspiring others, teaching board-building classes and cocktail lessons, sharing recipes, and being a part of special events and occasions. I didn’t want to just be another cheese and charcuterie business- that’s not my passion. Yes, I LOVE cheese and I love feeding people, but I truly love the interactive element the most. My cheeseBOARDing Schools are so much fun- we sip champagne and go through tips and tricks as well as all of my bad “Dad jokes” along the way. These can be done virtually and now in-person as well and I LOVE adding on a signature cocktail lesson to “make everyone a mixologist”.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One of my hands-down favorite things about the cheese and charcuterie “community” (it’s a thing!) is the incredible support from so many amazing women! The true value of community and camaraderie over the competition is something that I believe sets this industry apart. Women like Boards by Mo, Social Spreads, Modern Brie, The Posh Plank, The Platter Girl, and Bardelli Boards were some of my first “Friends” in this community and have answered so many questions, given tips and tricks, and been a source of free therapy as we all navigate this crazy gig together. Having a network of so many other strong women who have not only paved the way for success but also help steer others on that same path is so refreshing.
Pricing:
- CheeseBOARDing School: $75/pp in person (all items included), $35/pp virtual (shopping list provided)
- Grazing tables: $15/pp
- Mixology classes: $50/pp (all items provided)
- Cheese and charcuterie boards: $65-200+
Contact Info:
- Email: lauren@thecheesechica.com
- Instagram: thecheesechica
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecheesechica
