We recently had the chance to connect with Kathy DeFrancisco and have shared our conversation below.
Kathy, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I am a runner! Outside of work, I spend my time logging miles in the running community I live in. I completed my first full marathon in May of this year and will be running The Columbus Half Marathon next week. Running your own business and trying to find the time to train can prove challenging, but the way the community and our clients got behind me with support, well wishes, and all of the encouragement, made it 100% worth it. Do I run in the small town I love in with a Sharecuterie shirt on, of course I do!!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello friends, My name is Kathy DeFrancisco. I am the proud owner and president of Sharecuterie Inc. Sharecuterie was started as a passion project right at the beginning of Covid and has turned into a lifestyle brand and full time operation in just 5 short years. Our passion for charcuterie, cheese pairings, and just making the every day extraordinary is what keeps us going.
My favorite part of the job is giant Grazing Table Wedding set ups. There’s just something special about being a part of someones special moment, that really makes what we do worth while.
Recently, we had a call for a prearranged funeral. The gentleman, who’s funeral it will be, said the only thing he wanted to make sure of when he passed away was that there was a giant grazing spread full of amazing cheeses for his friends and family to enjoy! That has to make you feel something.
Moving into the new year we are working on expanding our menu offerings, as well as offering more pairing events and special occasion charcuterie options.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
When I was 9 years old, a family friend owned a catering business. I would help watch her kids while she prepped food and dishes at a local church. One day she asked me to help arrange the veggie and cheese trays…..and the rest is history.
I reflect back to that moment often, just the feeling of bringing joy through the fabulous arrangement of food. It is a true art form.
To this day our crudités platter is one of our best sellers, and takes me back to my beginning of arranging veggies in such a way that people WANT to eat them!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say to “Younger Kathy” just go for it, stop overthinking everything and do what makes you happy!! I needed a lot of pushing and encouragement from my husband and family to make the full-time jump into running my own business full time. I even took a contracting position to bridge the gap because I wasn’t sure of jumping in full-time.
Honestly, I wish I would have believed in myself and my business more and done it sooner. Running my own business is one of the best, most challenging things I have ever done. Not everyone is made for a cookie cutter life plan, sometimes its the strangest ideas and concepts that bring the most joy.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see, is what you get. I am 100% authentic. We live in a town of about 14,000 people. I refer to it as a big small town. The lovely part about our community is they are big believers in supporting local, supporting women owned businesses, and championing for the small business.
Everyone in town knows me as “the Sharecuterie lady” which on reflection on what I said above. I have had people honk and yell “Sharecuterie Lady” as I drive my company branded car down the highway. I feel as close to a local celebrity as you can get.
The real me is just that, someone who wants to help, make a difference, and be known as a positive influence in my community. Check that off the bucket list.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Maybe not exactly a story people will share, but my running joke is that at my funeral there will be a clear top casket, and my team will be responsible for arranging a giant charcuterie on top of it, as people being to eat more of the food, they will reveal me….. Obviously a joke but I don’t think the idea is lost. I live and breath my business.
When I am gone… I think, hope every time my friends and family are enjoying their version of a charcuterie they think of me. That would be an ultimate nod to my legacy and the joy I brought through food.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sharecuterie.com
- Instagram: @sharecuterieco
- Facebook: Sharecuterie
- Other: Tik Tok Sharecuterie
Image Credits
Rob Mueller
