Meet Bella Messmer of Overland Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bella Messmer.

Hi Bella, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Back in the 1970s, my mom’s parents were wealthy socialites who threw lavish parties for Miami’s elite, upper-class citizens and celebrities that, included Sylvester Stallone, Don King, and Susan Anton. My grandmother insisted on catering her own parties, and her charcuterie boards were the talk of the town. My mom, being too young to attend, was sequestered in her room but would sneak out unseen and go downstairs to appropriate the prosciutto, the “stinky” cheeses, and as much caviar as she could stack on her plate.

Fast-forward to 2022, and unknowing of this story, I came up with the idea to bring a charcuterie board to a friend’s party. Everyone loved it, and so I continued to bring a board to any event I was invited to. Friends and family would tell me that I should sell my boards. Highly skeptical about maintaining a business at the age of 17, my mother advised me to make a few boxes, and she would deliver them to local businesses and hospitals in the area. Subsequently, the idea and premise took off. We posted on Facebook and Instagram. However, most of our business came from word-of-mouth. In retrospect, I firmly believe charcuterie runs in our blood. We have a passion for it and love what we do. Nothing pleases me more than seeing the look on people’s faces when they see our boards and grazing tables upon delivery or completion.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
Some of our struggles have been mostly technological. At first, social media marketing was getting us nowhere. We had no clue as to how to market our products or post them to look professional. Also finding a quality yet affordable website designer was also a challenge. However, after numerous phone calls to different companies, we received a call one day from Stratton Terrace Marketing (based in California), and he was willing to help us out. He had our website up and running in the blink of an eye.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a senior in high school, I work two jobs, but this charcuterie board business has become my pride and joy. We make to-go boxes, lunch boxes & boards for any event. We also do grazing tables packed with items such as meats, artisanal cheeses, crackers, fruits, veggies, and an assortment of delectable sweets. I do my best to put as much passion and love into each one of our boards and grazing tables as I possibly can. We are known for our friendly and warm-hearted services as we approach our customer’s homes or event spaces. I am most proud of the creativity and devotion we embed into our work. I think what sets us apart is the fact that we are able to adjust to people’s needs and accommodate any order to our customer’s satisfaction.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Persistence is key. There have been times when I doubted myself. Doubts, such as, “I don’t think this business will work.” or “There’s too much competition, and no one will call me.” However, my mom was always there to tell me not to give up and to hang on just a little longer. We got on all of our social media outlets and researched other charcuterie companies all over the U.S. to see what made them stand out. We contacted them and asked questions. Surprisingly, yet appreciatively, all of the companies we spoke to were extremely gracious and helpful. We received advice and support from all of them and soon realized the charcuterie community is as one, and I’m not alone in my struggles. We are all here to help each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bubbasandbellasboards.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubbasandbellasboardskc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bubbasandbellasboards