David Mondragon Lopez & Charlotte Mondragon shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
David & Charlotte, 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 do you think is misunderstood about your business?
We think one of the biggest misunderstandings about the charcuterie business is that it’s just about putting together pretty meat and cheese boards. While presentation is definitely important, there’s a lot more thought, skill, and planning involved, especially when it comes to sourcing quality ingredients, balancing flavors, and meeting different dietary needs or event styles.
People often see the final product and think it’s simple, but behind the scenes there’s logistics, food safety, inventory management, and a strong understanding of customer preferences through solid & thorough communication. For us, the business is really about creating an experience, not just a product and that part is easy to overlook until you’re the one making it happen.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Our names are David & Charlotte, and we’re the founders/owners of Pueblo Charcuterie. We have specialized in creating custom charcuterie boards and grazing tables that turn any event into something unforgettable since 2020. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a large celebration, we focus on curating the perfect combination of high-quality meats, cheeses, and fresh, seasonal ingredients to give our clients a unique experience.
What makes us special is the attention to detail and creativity we put into every board. We don’t just want it to taste good, we want it to look amazing and tell a story.
We started the business because we’ve always had a passion for food and design, and we both love bringing people together around a shared love of great flavors. Right now, we’re working on expanding our offerings to include more customizable options for special diets, like vegan or gluten-free, to make sure everyone can enjoy the experience. As well as expanding our menu and venturing to new options to better serve our community.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think the things that break bonds between people are often misunderstandings, a lack of communication, or when trust gets damaged. When people stop listening to each other or take each other for granted, that’s when distance starts to form. In a business context, it could be a misalignment of values or goals, or even just not taking the time to really understand someone else’s perspective. It’s easy to drift apart when there’s no effort to nurture the relationship.
What restores bonds is genuine effort, honesty, vulnerability, and a willingness to communicate openly. It’s about acknowledging the hurt, rebuilding trust, and finding common ground again. When people take the time to really hear each other, and there’s a shared commitment to moving forward together, that’s when relationships start to heal and grow stronger.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Throughout my life, ever since I can remember, my biggest fear has always been to fail. That feeling of possible failure is what has always held me back from unleashing my full and absolute potential. However, building this business from the ground up and witnessing the relationships and connections it has established, has truly changed my perspective of my own abilities. I have came to a realization that failure is okay as long as you learn from it. Risk is good and if you do not take that risk, you will never know if you are going to terribly fail or absolutely succeed. Today, I am so grateful that my wife followed along in this venture that could’ve failed horribly, but is on the way to be a long lasting success.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Without a doubt a value that I protect at all costs is hard work. This is not just a cultural value but an essential practice in life. You can’t have anything without hard work. Hard work builds and edifies, hard work takes you to places you can only dream of, hard work will put you above the competition. You will not get anywhere without hard work and dedication. The moment you get out of bed and decide to do something productive with your life is the moment you choose to succeed.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about us both is that we genuinely cared about our work, the people around us, and making a positive difference. That we were the kind of people who built strong connections, whether it was with our team, our clients, or our loved ones. We want to be remembered for being authentic, for following our passion, and for always striving to bring people together, whether it’s through food, shared experiences, or meaningful conversations.
Most of all, we hope people remember that we lived with purpose and kindness, and that we left behind something that made their lives a little bit better, even if it was just through a good meal or a thoughtful gesture.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Pueblocharcuterie.com
- Instagram: Pueblo Charcuterie
- Facebook: Pueblo Charcuterie
Image Credits
Lepik Photography
Cassidy Henderson Visuals
