Daily Inspiration: Meet Tiahna Buss

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiahna Buss

Tiahna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always loved both art and food, and charcuterie has become the perfect blend of the two. A few years ago I made a 25-person charcuterie board for my family’s Christmas party. I received a lot of compliments, but at the time, I didn’t think much of it. From then on, every holiday and hosted event became an opportunity to create something new–a charcuter-tree here and a charcuterie turkey there–and I started pushing my imagination even further.
The idea to start this business came to me while I was working at a job I loved, interestingly enough. But after getting laid off I found myself in back to back jobs that I didn’t love. Those experiences led me to the realization: no other business was ever going to value me as much as my own business would. Most of my career has been in administration, business operations, and people management, where I partnered with founders and business leaders and saw firsthand what worked (and what didn’t.) But in the end, they made the choices–and I wanted the chance to make my own. So, building CharcuterTee has not only been a creative outlet, but also a fulfilling business endeavor where I get to lead and innovate on my own terms.
Getting to where I am today has shown me the power of community. My husband is a great sounding board for business ideas, my sister always shares tips for entrepreneurship, my parents cheer me on even for the smallest achievements, and my friends have been some of my first customers. The more I connect with local businesses and fellow entrepreneurs, the stronger my network has become. Gemini Imprints in Arvada helped create my business cards and the Wheat Ridge Business Association has introduced me to a wider network of professionals. Every connection reinforces my passion for creating and sharing charcuterie in a way that’s not just about food, but about bringing people together.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building a business from scratch–without knowing exactly how successful it will be–comes with plenty of obstacles. Fortunately, my career has allowed me to wear many hats, so working on the administrative, financial, and marketing tasks have felt familiar. However, getting a commercial kitchen was actually the hardest task thus far! My original kitchen fell through, and I reached out to dozens of churches and restaurants in the Arvada & Wheat Ridge area. Not a single one could make an arrangement work. Eventually, I was able to find a kitchen through Peerbrands that is a great fit for where I am on this journey, and I am extremely grateful.
There are a lot of directions I can see for this business, and choosing the most practical ones to focus on at this time can be daunting. Writing out all of my ideas and looking at the resources needed to make certain areas of the business evolve allows me to start smaller so I can focus on reinvesting money to grow rather than losing money as I scale.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create charcuterie boards with a strong focus on creativity in flavor exploration and presentation. My speciality lies in crafting the unexpected yet delicious pairings, combining the best tastes and textures to create the perfect bite, and thinking outside of the box with how to present these boards. One way I bring this creativity to life is through my Valentine’s Day boards, which include a mix of conventionally styled beer, wine, and dessert boards featuring unconventional ingredients, as well as charcuterie flower bouquets, blending artistry with more traditional flavors for a unique and visually stunning gift. Beyond that, I create fully custom boards, so if someone wants distinctive ingredients arranged in a one-of-a-kind way, I can make it happen.
Another key element of my business is interactive experiences. I lead workshops, tastings, and bring a mobile charcuterie cart to events, transforming charcuterie into an experience rather than just a product. Research shows that spending money on experiences leads to more happiness than buying possessions, and I’ve seen that firsthand—so incorporating an interactive component into my business is something I deeply value.
What I’m most proud of is the ability to partner with local vendors and get involved with the local community. Supporting other small businesses and showcasing high-quality, locally sourced ingredients allows me to connect with the community, create unique offerings, and elevate the charcuterie experience even further.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are so many ways to support and collaborate with me!
If you are a Restaurant, Club, or Organization – I offer charcuterie workshops that bring a fun, interactive experience to your space. If you are a bar or event venue, I can prepare prepackaged charcuterie boards for hungry patrons or a custom platter for an event, and create options that fit your menu and clientele. If you are a cheese maker, charcutier, or food artisans – I love featuring local and specialty products on my boards! If you create something delicious, let’s collaborate. If you are an event planner or host – Whether you need a beautifully crafted charcuterie spread or want to turn your gathering into an interactive tasting experience, I can help make your event unforgettable. Finally, you can support CharcuterTee on social media by following @CharcuterTee on Instagram! If you share a charcuterie board of your own, tag me and use #IfYouBoardItTheyWillCome to join the charcuterie-loving community!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://charcutertee.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/charcuter_tee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569336245418
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tiahnajoanne