Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Johnson.
Hi Monica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2019, I began gathering small groups of friends over wine, cheese, charcuterie, and other small bites for no other reason than just because. I would bring a wood pallet out to beautiful scenic locations around San Diego, set everything up, and then drop a pin to every one of the exact location… about an hour before they were supposed to show up! We would create the charcuterie spread together, enjoying the sunsets and ocean views as we ate cheese and drank wine. This quickly became a regular monthly occurrence as we had so much fun doing these “adventure dinners.”
When August of 2020 rolled around, I was challenged to really think through what I wanted to do with my work (I was unemployed at the time because of the pandemic). I thought long and hard about the idea of turning my newfound hobby and what became a creative outlet for me into a business. I went back and forth, not sure I wanted to mix the two. I was worried that my passion and joy to create spaces just for fun would be burdened by the “job” aspect of it. But I also knew that with my personality, I wasn’t necessarily trying to find a traditional 9-5 pm office job. So the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I would never truly know how I would feel if I didn’t just try! I kept telling myself that there was no better time than now to just go for it and that life is too short to be doing the wrong thing. So there I went, amidst a global pandemic and with all the risk factors that it would potentially bring, I jumped all in!
And those “adventure dinners” as I would call them, evolved into Pallet to Palate – a unique dining experience designed around custom charcuterie and cheese boards in beautiful outdoor locations in San Diego and beyond. It’s now been a year since I started this business, and I absolutely love what I get to do. You know you’re doing the right thing when your work doesn’t feel like work… gathering people and creating beautiful spaces- what is better than that!?
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth sailing road. I have found that there always seem to be bumps along the road when doing something completely new and stepping out of your comfort zone. It feels risky and vulnerable, but in the end, it’s worth it! I’ve had one too many “rookie moves,” as I have called them, during the first year of starting this business, and at the end of the day, I just have to laugh at myself, learn from my mistakes, and move on (like that one time I had the wrong email address connected to my request forms and missed bookings for four months, or that other time I paid three months over what I was supposed to for online advertisements). Learning how to juggle everything that running a business on your own requires and wearing multiple hats at once definitely comes with its challenges, but it also keeps life interesting. I’m continuing to find healthy rhythms and manage all the pieces as we go!
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?
We’re all about the charcuterie and flowers!! Pallet to Palate creates a variety of beautiful charcuterie experiences for small intimate groups to large events and gatherings. Everything we do is personalized and custom-made just for YOU (from the food and flowers to the location and time). This really makes the whole experience completely unique and extra special and memorable. We offer a variety of charcuterie experiences that you can choose from: the “You & Me” is perfect for two… date night, anyone!? The “Pallet Party” is a fun and intimate setting and great to bring along your close friends and family. When we say “Communal Table,” we’re talking about a big sit-down family-style dinner…charcuterie & flowers down the middle as the centerpiece! Our “To Gather Spreads” comes in all sizes and allows for the yummy grazing to happen during your small or large event! And lastly, we have our “charCUTErie Kids Pallet,” which really adds the perfect touch to those kiddos birthday parties, taking the stress off those busy parents that are already doing so much!
The atmosphere, esthetics, attention to tiny details, personalization and simplicity of what we do really makes us who we are. You can just show up and know that for the next few hours, you’ll be taken care of. From setup to the cleanup, there’s not much we expect from you, except to show up with an appetite and have fun (oh and of course BYO vino!). You don’t even have to worry about taking photos because at the end of the evening we’ll airdrop you a collection of photos taken from your experience.
Any big plans?
I’m excited to see what the future brings with my business. It’s truly incredible to see what just one year has brought, so I can only imagine how awesome year two will be! As of now, I’m looking forward to some weddings we have booked in the next year, as well as continuing to develop and hone in on the experiences we currently offer. I’ve also been thinking through what it will look like to bring on a few interns as we’re continuing to grow as a business, which is super exciting too! And on the relations side of things, I just always look forward to meeting my clients, hearing a little bit about them, and seeing their reaction to the beautifully created space set before them. I’m sure there will be lots of dreaming and creating new and fun additions to Pallet to Palate this next year.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@pallettopalate.co
- Website: https://www.pallettopalate.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pallet_to_palate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pallettopalate
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pallet-to-palate-la-jolla?osq=pallet+to+palate
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/pallettopalate/_created/
