Meet Deanna Voss | Owner & Full Time Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deanna Voss and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deanna, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
The first full year of business was busier than we ever imagined. It was incredible! With that said, we didn’t focus on balance very well. We said yes to every event and every board even when we knew a few no’s along the way would have better served us and our business. Earlier this year, we sat and wrote out a detailed plan for the year. We both have huge goals for Full Board but most importantly, we want this to be sustainable. We want to create something that adds an experience to every clients board or event, take a little risk, and watch it multiply. In order to do this, we have to find balance in all things and we have to be good stewards, not only with money but with balance. For Deanna’s family it’s Friday night family night each week. Missing out on a lot of those last year took a big toll on my family and my personal well being. This year, I am trying not to miss any family nights or at least not attend events until after my kids are in bed. Leigh and her husband have four kids. As her children are getting older it has placed a new perspective on just how fast time flies and not missing those special moments. We are both moms who often joke about how fun starting a business would be all the time. While that is true 99% of the time, we now realize how important professional boundaries are when growing a business. It’s way too easy not to focus on ourselves and serve everyone else in our families and community. For us personally, we are ensuring we take time at a local coffee shop each week for self care, lunch with friends from time to time, and visiting our local spa for a quarterly soak. It keeps us in check and sustains us throughout the year. We also made the hard choice to scale back on weddings and large events to offer a box of the month subscription plan that rolls out in April and obtain more corporate accounts this year. This will allow us to continue business growth while enjoying more time with our loved ones.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Full Board Charcuterie delivers an artistry to our boards and grazing tables. We spend days prepping and delivering beautifully styled food. It is our passion to bring an experience to remember, conversation around the table, and have you/your guest breath taken. We strive for an organic referral system based solely on the art we display with food and the customer service our staff provides. We are excited about every event and passionate about serving our community! Full Board is currently the only full service charcuterie company in El Paso County and one of the only few in the state who hold a health department license. We want all of our clients to know we follow protocols set out by the Health Department. Full Board has been blessed by so many customers, clients, and partnerships who believe in us and have helped us grow in many ways. It hasn’t always been easy but we can both say it’s been worth it. One big lesson we learned is how much more space we need. There are usually 3-4 of us prepping and space is important. We just moved into a new commissary kitchen and it’s massive. It is exciting having more potential to grow Full Board Charcuterie. Another lesson was becoming so busy, so quickly. It sounds like a good problem. For the most part it is but we weren’t able to dive deep into local businesses. We do use local products but we love intentional relationships. This year we have committed to providing lunch to businesses around town who have supported us and believe in Full Board. Our name some say is unique and ask how we came up with it. A friend was helping me find a name and she said, “you really need something that describes you. When you commit to something or someone you go all in, you go full board.” We looked at each other and laughed. It was instantly the name of our business, Full Board Charcuterie.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best from Texas has visited us and we took them to several places. If they came back we would go to Garden of the Gods for a hike, lunch at Molica’s Deli or Red Leg, followed by a drink at Distillery 291 on the way home. Another day, we would go to Cave of the Winds and eat at La Baguette in OCC then back to the Cave for the laser show at night. I like a good rest day in the middle so maybe our pool in the neighborhood and hit some food trucks. Now this is tricky because I have several favorites. We could hunt down Miggy’s Meltdown, Young Family’s Texas BBQ, and Thyme to Dine. All are incredible! One day it would be a mom’s day out started at Pulpit Rock for a hike, then to SunWater Spa followed by lunch at Crystal’s Cantina or a coin flip for Garden of the Gods Market and Cafe. A good family day would be a hike at Palmer Trail or a new adventure from our scratch off book. We could then eat at Till one night or maybe COATI if there is a salsa night we are in…dragging the husbands of course. Oh wait, does anyone have a babysitter?! We love wine so maybe we hang at Scheel’s one afternoon then eat at UVA Wine Bar after. After all, I love a good charcuterie board!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Both of our families have been incredible! They have listened to our ideas, heard our struggles, and stuck by us in the good times and in the hard. We have people in our lives like Kelsi Cole, founder of Foreknown Ministries, who continues to encourage us each step along the way. She is an incredible mentor and friend. Meagan Thomas from Springs Native is a pillar for this community! She is such a great mentor, business woman, and marketing beast. If you need someone for marketing or PR contact her.

Website: www.fullboardcos.com

Instagram: full.boardcharcuterue

Facebook: Full Board Charcuterie

Image Credits
We take most photos but Kristy Logan Photography takes most of our workshop and team pictures.