Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Snyder.
Hi Melissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
That Board Mom really started as a little side project that grew into something much bigger than I ever expected.
After spending nearly two decades working in advertising and marketing, I found myself at a point where I was ready for something different. I had always loved entertaining, bringing people together, and—let’s be honest—putting together a really good cheese board. In many ways, charcuterie has been part of my life long before it became a business: living room floor picnics when my husband and I were dating, snack-plate dinners with my two girls, and a general love of hosting that made everyday moments feel a little more special. What started as making boards for friends and family slowly turned into orders, then events, and eventually a business.
As I was navigating a career transition, my husband was the one that pushed me to take a chance on myself. I launched That Board Mom with the idea that charcuterie could be more than just a pretty board—it could be an experience that brings people together.
Since then, the business has grown from individual boards into grazing tables, grazing spreads, charcuterie cups, and our mobile charcuterie cart, which has become one of my favorite ways to serve people. We’ve catered everything from weddings and corporate events to birthday celebrations, showers, wineries, and backyard gatherings throughout the Portland Metro and Willamette Valley.
What I love most is that I get to combine so many things I’ve always enjoyed—creativity, hospitality, connecting with people, and making something beautiful—with the opportunity to build something of my own. I’m still amazed that something that started in my kitchen has turned into a business that allows me to celebrate so many of life’s special moments.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! I think one of the biggest misconceptions about starting a business is that once you decide to go for it, everything just falls into place. It doesn’t.
The biggest struggle for me was learning to be comfortable with uncertainty. I had spent nearly 20 years in advertising and marketing, where I understood the business, knew how to navigate a client relationship, and had a pretty clear idea of what I was doing. Starting That Board Mom meant suddenly being the person responsible for everything—from pricing and purchasing to marketing, bookkeeping, logistics, and figuring out how to get food safely from my kitchen to an event. There was a lot of learning as I went.
Early on, I adopted a bit of a personal mantra that really helped me move through that uncertainty: say yes, then figure it out. If an opportunity came up, or someone asked for something I hadn’t done before, I tried not to overthink it or talk myself out of it. I would say yes, and then trust myself to figure out the rest. That mindset pushed me to grow faster than I probably would have if I waited until I felt “ready.”
There were also plenty of moments when I questioned whether I was making the right decision. Building a business takes time, and it can be especially challenging when you’re also trying to be present for your family and all of the things that come with being a mom.
But ultimately, all of the challenges I’ve faced have made me a better business owner. I’ve learned to trust myself, ask for help when I need it, and be willing to try something, learn from it, and adjust. Most importantly, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t always look the way you expect it to.
Some of the hardest parts of this journey have also been the most rewarding. There’s something pretty special about building something from scratch and realizing, “Wow, I actually did this.”
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
That Board Mom is a charcuterie catering business based in Tigard, Oregon, serving the Portland Metro and Willamette Valley. We create custom charcuterie boards, grazing tables and spreads, charcuterie cups, and our mobile charcuterie cart for everything from intimate gatherings to large weddings and corporate events.
But I think what people should really know about That Board Mom is that we’re not just in the business of putting cheese on a board. We’re in the business of bringing people together.
Food has always been a huge part of how I connect with people, and I want that feeling to come through in everything we create. I want our food to be beautiful and memorable, but I also want it to feel approachable, abundant, and fun. Whether it’s a board delivered to someone’s home or a full grazing table at a wedding, my goal is always to create something that makes people want to gather around it.
Our mobile charcuterie cart has become a particularly special part of the business. It turns charcuterie into an experience rather than simply something sitting on a table. Guests choose from a menu of meats, cheeses, fruits, spreads, crackers, and other accompaniments while we build their board right in front of them. It’s interactive, social, and it naturally gets people talking. I love watching a group of guests who may not know each other well end up standing around the cart together, comparing their choices and discovering new things.
What sets us apart is probably a combination of the food, the presentation, and the personality behind the brand. I never wanted That Board Mom to feel overly formal or precious. There’s a lot of intention behind what we do, but there’s also a lot of fun. The name itself is a pretty good reflection of that—I’m a mom, I love to feed people, and I take my cheese very seriously.
From a brand perspective, I’m probably most proud that That Board Mom has developed a personality of its own. It feels warm, playful, welcoming, and distinctly me. I want people to see our work and immediately recognize it as That Board Mom.
And while I’m incredibly proud of the beautiful boards and events we create, I think what makes me proudest is the fact that people invite us into some of their most important moments—weddings, birthdays, celebrations, showers, corporate milestones, and simple gatherings with friends. Getting to be a small part of those moments is what makes this business so meaningful to me.
What’s next?
I’m excited about what’s ahead for That Board Mom, but I’m also trying to be intentional about how we grow. I’ve learned that bigger isn’t always better, and I want to build a business that continues to feel personal while reaching more people.
One of the biggest areas I’m excited to grow is our mobile charcuterie cart. It has become such a fun and unique part of the business, and I’d love to see it at more Oregon weddings, wineries, corporate events, and celebrations. There’s something really special about taking what we do off the table and turning it into an interactive experience.
I’m also looking forward to continuing to build relationships with local venues, event planners, wineries, and other small businesses throughout Oregon. I love collaborating with other local businesses, and I think there are so many opportunities to create memorable experiences together.
Beyond that, I’m always dreaming up new offerings and ways to make That Board Mom more than just a catering company. I’d love to continue exploring workshops, pop-up experiences, collaborations, and other ways to bring people together around food.
Ultimately, my goal is to keep growing without losing the personality and heart that made me fall in love with this business in the first place. I want That Board Mom to be a brand people recognize, trust, and—most importantly—want to gather around.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thatboardmom.com
- Instagram: @thatboardmom
