Editor’s note: This month’s Business Beacon is a spotlight on 30A Cartcuterie, an interactive charcuterie experience that brings the boards to you. Owner Lora Asbury talks to us about front porch brainstorming, stress-free hostessing and that delicious mini brie with mango jam.
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1. How did you get the idea or concept for your business?
LA: Sometimes, the best business ideas aren’t found in a boardroom, but on a porch. That’s precisely where my venture sparked to life. My bestie and I were deep in a brainstorming session, enjoying a casual chat on the porch. It was an instant breakthrough moment — the kind that truly gets the entrepreneurial spirit buzzing. And in true porch-meeting fashion, we immediately toasted to the promising beginning of what felt like a truly innovative path forward for me and our area.
2. Let’s discuss numbers: What year did you open? How many locations do you have? How many people do you employ?
LA: May 2025 is when the starting began — or rather, started rolling the wheels — on my new venture. While it’s a solo effort for now, I’m excited about the potential for growth and how this flexible model will allow us to serve a wide range of customers. [We’ll be] adding new cart themes and selections soon.
3. What do you sell or what service do you provide? What’s your best seller?
LA: The Charcuterie Experience, Reimagined. I offer an unforgettable interactive charcuterie experience that transforms any event. Our charming coastal cart comes directly to you, inviting guests to personalize their own gourmet charcuterie boards from a delightful selection of meats, artisanal cheeses, and accoutrements. While the interactive element is our “best seller,” guests consistently rave about our mini brie with mango jam and vinegar-based olives.
4. What’s unique about what you do or offer?
LA: What truly makes us sparkle is bringing an interactive, bespoke charcuterie experience right to your doorstep. Forget those tired, pre-made platters! My charming coastal cart is a delightful invitation for guests to play chef, crafting their own dream charcuterie boards from a treasure of fine meats, specialty cheeses, and delightful accoutrements.
This isn’t just about food; it’s a personalized culinary adventure that gets everyone mingling and sparks easy conversation. Guests love the adorable boards and picturesque cart, which make for great photo ops. For hosts, it’s pure magic — no more stress, just effortless elegance. With flexible self-service or our highly requested attended option, I don’t just cater; I deliver an engaging, beautiful, and utterly convenient centerpiece that turns any gathering into an unforgettable celebration.
5. How would you describe your business to a potential customer?
LA: Imagine treating your guests to an interactive charcuterie experience they’ll simply adore! I whisk my beautiful coastal cart right to your celebration, turning it into a delightful culinary adventure. Your guests won’t just nibble; they’ll become the day’s culinary artists, hand-picking their absolute favorites to create their perfect board. It’s a marvelous way to spark laughter, encourage easy mingling, and ensure everyone savors precisely what makes their taste buds sing.
For you, the host, it’s pure bliss and absolute peace of mind. Kick back, relax, and truly soak in your party while I lovingly handle all the tasty preparations and serving.
And for a truly unforgettable touch, surprise your loved ones with custom laser-engraved boards, etched with your special message, logo, or event details. Let me infuse your next gathering with that distinctive coastal charm and a dash of delicious customization.
6. What do you love most about your line of work?
LA: What I truly adore about this work is the sheer joy and surprise I bring to events. It’s incredibly special to watch guests light up as they personally craft their perfect board, find new flavors and effortlessly mingle. Those “aha!” moments are truly adorable.
I also love the peace of mind I provide to hosts. Knowing I’ve lifted a significant burden, allowing them to fully relax and enjoy their own celebration, makes every moment worthwhile. Ultimately, I cherish being a part of their special memories, adding a unique touch that makes their gathering stand out.
7. What sorts of trends are you seeing in your industry?
LA: We’re seeing a strong shift towards experiential and interactive food offerings — guests crave discovery. There’s also high demand for hyper-personalization and customization, allowing every guest to tailor their experience.
Clients are seeking diverse and flexible catering options, which our additional carts for s’mores, candy, popcorn, and mocktails perfectly fulfill.
Finally, hosts continually seek convenience and distinctive flair that stands out from traditional catering. My charming mobile carts directly align with all these flourishing trends, offering quality, visual appeal, and effortless service.
8. Tell me in just a sentence or two what you feel sets you apart from your competitors.
LA: What truly sets me apart is being the very first to roll this unique, personalized charcuterie cart concept to the area, all beautifully wrapped in charm and coastal design. Pair that with my delightful, friendly service and an unwavering focus on bringing your event visions to life, and you’ll have an unparalleled, truly memorable experience that simply won’t be found anywhere else!
9. Who or what inspires you? This could be a family member or celebrity, a particular quote or even a book/movie/podcast. The sky’s the limit!
LA: My deepest inspiration comes from two incredible sources in my life: God and my beloved husband and son. Their love, support, and the joy they sprinkle into my everyday truly fuel my passion and drive, reminding me of the beautiful purpose behind every delightful event I help create. They are my cart designers, taste testers, and my greatest cheerleaders.
10. What’s the best thing about being a part of the Emerald Coast, personally and/or professionally?
LA: Being on the Emerald Coast is a dream come true, both personally and professionally. The breathtaking scenery, pristine beaches, and vibrant ocean life here are a constant inspiration. The natural beauty is complemented by the genuine Southern hospitality and wonderful small-town feel. It’s a perfect blend that enriches both my life and my business, making every day feel special.
11. Are you/your business involved in the community in any way? Volunteering or giving back? If so, how?
LA: While my business is still in its exciting early stages, giving back to the community, especially focusing on the children of the area, has always been incredibly important and deeply personal to me. It’s a value my family and I have always prioritized, finding many ways to contribute. As my business grows, I’m absolutely committed to integrating this passion for giving back into its operations, ensuring we find meaningful ways to support and uplift the children here and around the world.
12. What does a typical day in your business look like? (Pretend it’s Monday (or Friday!) and take me through the highlights of your day.)
LA: My days now are a wonderfully delightful whirlwind, a far cry from my 9-to-5 accounting career! Whether it’s a bustling Monday or a FriYay, it all begins with the best kind of morning ritual: snuggling my puppies and savoring that first, perfect cup of coffee. That quiet moment is the calm before the exciting storm!
From there, the day quickly accelerates. My hours are filled with calls, connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and potential clients, managing a steady stream of emails, and engaging on social media. And, of course, there’s plenty of “momming” woven throughout.
A highlight of my professional day involves the delicious task of tasting, ordering, and meticulously preparing exciting new meats, cheeses, and accoutrements for my hosts. It’s a creative process that keeps things fresh and exciting!
As the afternoon winds down, I cherish those precious moments with my teenager, often catching him between school, work, and friends. Then, it’s time for the pups to enjoy some sunshine outdoors before the day concludes. Evenings are reserved for dinner, quality time with my husband, and a final check-in on any new emails, bookings, and social media requests, ensuring everything is aligned for the next day’s adventures. It’s a busy life, but it’s one filled with passion, flavor, and love!
13. What’s your best “insider tip?” (This could be a community tip for vacationers or homeowners or even a tip for customers related to your business.)
LA: My best insider tip is to embrace the magic of our area to nurture your soul, spirit, and health. Visitors seek us out for peace and solitude, and we should do the same in our daily lives as locals. Whether your home is a bayside haven, a gulf-view retreat, or a vibrant family street, remember how lucky you are and carve out time to enjoy it.
14. How do you recharge or relax when the day is done?
LA: My absolute favorite way to recharge is by simply being outdoors with my cherished puppies, husband, and son. There’s nothing quite like the salty air of beach walks, the colors as the sun sets, or quiet moments of porch sitting to soak in the breeze. It’s in these moments, immersed in nature and surrounded by my favorite people, that I truly find my calm and gather all the sparkle for the next day’s adventures.
15. Just the deets, please! Where are you located? Business hours? Social media profiles and/or website links we need to know about? (Please feel free to add social media handles or direct links!)
LA: Locations: Destin to Panama City Beach and all the charming towns in between!
Business Hours: Our services are primarily by appointment, with flexible hours to accommodate your event needs. We’re available for bookings seven days a week!
Connect With Us: Call or text 850.898.2005 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
16. One final question: If there was just one thing you wish the public knew about your business, what would it be?
LA: If there’s just one thing I wish the public knew about my business, it’s that this isn’t simply a business for me — it’s a true passion project fueled by immense excitement and joy! Every personalized charcuterie experience I lovingly create is a labor of love, and knowing that each booking helps me build this dream is incredibly fulfilling. Your support directly enables me to continue sharing this unique culinary delight.
