Meet Desiree Gonzales | Charcuterie Board Artist & Food Stylist

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

Hi Desiree, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Increasing the number of long weekends out of town has really helped that work life balance for me, especially the last 6 months or so! I have a sister that lives outside of Phoenix and I try to get there as often as I can, not just for visiting my sweet nephews, but also in the simple fact I’m away from my desk, computer and all work in general. When I’m in town, I find it harder to take the time from the things I need to do to doing the the ones I want to do. I’ve also recently found myself looking into herbal medicines and teas which have helped my focus and overall health, making everyday tasks easier and done quicker so I can take more time to do the things that soothe the mind and soul. We’re also coming into some warmer weather and the ability to spend more time in the sunshine and away from electronics also lends an incredible hand to that balance. I’m also extremely luck that I find what I do, a great therapy dupe! From the shopping to the final board or table, it really is a therapeutic experience for me and makes it less ‘work’ and more ‘play’.

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?
The Brie’s Knees Denver has been so much fun to start and we are extra excited about our future. The business itself kind of fell in my lap, there was no plan to start a business, I work a 9-5 in the Non Profit world, and really just started making charcuterie boards for myself as a therapy dupe and a way to have something I could just snack on all day. When my social media inboxes started filling up with requests for boards, I figured I would give it a go and see if anyone was really actually interested in my bougie snacks and they were! We have done a good handful of holiday boards, themed boards, Vegan boards, DOG boards, and grazing tables for parties! I love being a part of parties and watching reactions of my creations and people taking pictures of them, it’s a happy feeling. I find that with my other jobs, time is a barrier in the simple fact that there just isn’t enough of it and that hurdle is a current one under observation for the future and what things need to be prioritized. I’ve learned that it is absolutely ok to ask for help! That is not my nature and has been one of the biggest lessons in this journey, something I’ve always had an issue with so having people around me asking if I need help has really been a life saver for me in that regard. One of the things I was not prepared for is that when you start doing something you love as a business, you have to remind yourself sometimes that it is a business and not just for fun, that becomes a little more difficult once it becomes something monetary, so I’ve had to relearn boundaries. All in all, every lesson, every challenge, every success I’ve experienced has been welcomed!

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.
When I have a friend come to town, I generally try to take them to non touristy places, and things that you won’t find being promoted by influencers. We have some really great international markets and bakeries that we could spend a good few days just roaming them and snacking. Red Rocks is a must whether there is a concert or not, a sunrise there can be just as an amazing experience! I’m a thrifter and South Broadway is a great place to walk, shop and people watch with some great little restaurants sprinkled up and down the street too. A trip up to Idaho springs for the hot springs and handful of restaurants along Main st would probably be on the agenda as well, with a side stop to the Argo Gold Mine. Summer is a great time to grab some cheap tickets to see the Rockies and wander that area for a few hours.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Honestly, there are so many people I could shoutout, I have such great people around me it’s tough to narrow that down! I couldn’t be anywhere in this life without my family first off! My parents, my siblings (whole, half and step) are always so encouraging, as well as my cousin Germaine, who not only supplies an endless amount of love and support, but goes above and beyond when recommending me to her friends and family and is such an inspiration for the many things she does. I also have some amazing in-laws, who have been my taste testers, my extra hands and a great source of motivation. From my Grandma-in-law, Mother-in-law, sister-in-law to cousins-in law, I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing group of women…, truly! Finally, my other half who has put up with me endlessly as I talk about meats and cheeses and boards more than he ever thought he would hear in a lifetime, Dominic is always there when i need help or a touch of reality and takes care of our four-legged child, Lucy, when I am busy being cheesy. We’ve become a team sport and I couldn’t love him more for it and am so grateful for him in every way as I navigate this most recent journey! He’s the Bees Knees to my Brie’s Knees I guess you could say.

Website: https://www.thebrieskneesdenver.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_bries_knees_denver/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBriesKneesDenver/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_bries_knees_denver

Image Credits
Iman Woods