Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Maple.
Hi Chelsea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up surrounded by the Great Lakes, and I think that has shaped so much of who I am. There’s something about life in Michigan that makes you slow down, gather around a table, appreciate good food, and make time for the people you love. I’ve always had a deep love for food, flavor, and the way a beautiful meal can bring people together.
Gather North really began with a desire to create something that felt like an extension of that. After having my daughter, I found myself thinking a lot about what I wanted my life and my work to look like. I knew I wanted to take a chance on myself and build something of my own, but I also wanted to build something my children could one day look at and feel proud of.
Now, with my son here too, that feeling has only grown. Gather North is something I’m building alongside motherhood, and I hope that one day my kids will see not just the business, but the courage it took to start it, grow it, and believe in it.
What started as a love of charcuterie has grown into something much bigger for me. Gather North is about hospitality, connection, and creating experiences that feel special, whether that’s a beautiful board around a kitchen table, a gathering with friends, or a celebration here in Northern Michigan.
I’m still very much building and figuring it out as I go, but that’s part of what makes this chapter so meaningful. I get to create something rooted in a place I love, centered around something I’ve always loved, and hopefully show my children what can happen when you’re willing to take a chance on yourself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh there have absolutely been struggles. I decided to start Gather North shortly after losing my job, while I was pregnant with my son, and I really just went all in. I didn’t have everything figured out, and there was a lot of uncertainty in the beginning. So much of it has been learning as I go, figuring things out along the way, and trusting myself enough to keep moving forward.
But that’s also what has made it such a beautiful ride. Every challenge has taught me something, and I’m learning more about business, myself, and what I’m capable of every single day. Building something from the ground up while raising my family has certainly had its moments, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
I think sometimes you have to be willing to take the leap before you feel completely ready. That’s what I did. I didn’t know exactly where Gather North would take me when I started, and honestly, I’m still figuring that out. But I’m really proud that I was willing to take the chance and see where it could go.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Gather North is a boutique charcuterie company and Northern Michigan hospitality brand, rooted in the belief that food has a way of bringing people together.
We create elevated charcuterie and grazing experiences for everything from intimate gatherings and celebrations to weddings, vacation rentals, events, and hospitality partners. While charcuterie is where we started, the bigger vision has always been about creating an experience around the food.
To me, hospitality is in the details. It’s the feeling someone gets when they walk into a space and see something beautiful waiting for them. It’s making guests feel welcomed, making a celebration feel special, or giving people a reason to linger around the table a little longer. That is what I want Gather North to bring to every experience.
The word “boutique” is important to me because we’re intentionally small and highly curated. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every board, grazing table, and experience is thoughtfully designed around the occasion, the setting, and the people we’re serving. I care deeply about the food, styling, presentation, local touches, and the feeling all of that put together creates.
Being rooted in Northern Michigan is another huge part of our identity. I love incorporating the flavors, seasons, makers, and natural beauty of this place into what we create. There is such a strong culture of gathering and hospitality here, and I want Gather North to feel like a natural extension of that.
What I’m most proud of is how Gather North has grown beyond what I initially imagined. It has given me the opportunity to work alongside wonderful local businesses, makers, hosts, couples, and families, while building something that feels genuinely connected to the place I call home.
At the end of the day, we make and we love charcuterie, but we’re really creating experiences that invite people to gather together, and enjoy the people and moments that matter most.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve been really fortunate to have so many people in this industry and in our local community who I look up to. I don’t think mentorship always has to look like having one person who formally takes you under their wing. For me, it has been much more about building genuine relationships, asking questions, being willing to learn, and surrounding myself with people who are doing things I admire.
Networking has been a huge part of growing Gather North, and honestly, something I’m continuing to push myself to do. I’m learning to boldly walk into the rooms I want to be in. To introduce myself, start the conversation, ask the question, and put myself out there even when it feels a little uncomfortable.
I’ve found that some of the best opportunities come from simply being willing to make the connection. Supporting other local businesses, reaching out to people I admire, and being genuinely curious about what they’re building has opened doors I never could have planned for.
I think you have to be willing to believe that you belong in the room before you have proof that you do. You don’t have to have everything figured out or feel completely established to start building relationships. You just have to be brave enough to walk through the door.
That’s something I’m still learning, but it’s probably one of the biggest lessons Gather North has taught me so far.
Pricing:
- Charcuterie boards begin at $55 for an intimate board serving 1-2
- Larger boards and grazing experiences are available for gatherings, celebrations, weddings, and events with pricing based on size & scope.
- Styled charcuterie cups are $12 each with a minimum of 20 cups.
- Custom experiences and hospitality offerings are available by inquiry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gathernorthcharcuterie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gather.north/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61574920785840/
Image Credits
Peyton Campbell
Carly Lynn Visuals
