Community Highlights: Meet Kirsten Stannis of Saugatuck On Board

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Stannis. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always had a love of entertaining and hospitality. After deciding to leave my all-consuming teaching job, my husband and I began to brainstorm potential opportunities where my skills and the needs in our charming resort town would intersect. We had already been hosting formal wine and cheese pairing events in our home, so tailoring this model to a different venue was highly attractive. Saugatuck-Douglas has amazing restaurants, but it is often hard to find a table during the busy season. My original idea was that I would bring charcuterie boxes to docked boats so people wouldn’t have to disembark and search for open tables or takeout. While I have delivered boxes to a number of boats, my business has grown well beyond that, delivering boxes locally for date nights, birthday parties, corporate events, and wineries. 

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?
I have two fundamental challenges. One is the classic dilemma of all new business… connecting with the right clients. I have customers that rely on my service month after month- they appreciate and value my curation skills, attention to detail, and reliable service. My challenge is to expand this network of enthusiastic supporters! 

My second business challenge is even more daunting… It’s a significant obstacle to distinguish the mission, vision, and values of Saugatuck On Board from other providers who buy high-volume products from grocery stores. At Saugatuck On Board, we strive to create Culinary Adventures of the highest level. We are not motivated to “feed” people, rather, we strive to “inspire people” with a journey of aromas, flavors, textures, and pairings that don’t just satisfy the stomach, but delight all the senses. I spend large amounts of time traveling, tasting, and refining our offerings and spend three to five times the cost on materials because I have such reverence for high-quality products. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We offer a unique approach to our arrangements. We are all about the curation and the experience. Cheeses from around the world are carefully chosen, so there are a variety of milk types, textures, flavors, and styles. These unique cheeses are not available in grocery stores! Clients are asked questions about their palettes, and then cheese and charcuterie are specifically tailored to their experience level. Every custom culinary journey includes a description of each cheese and the order in which it should be enjoyed. New cheeses are continually sampled and added to the growing list of favorites. When an order is placed, a customer is ordering curation, knowledge, experience, and art in the form of an exquisite culinary journey! From the sturdy, reusable, handmade wooden boxes by a small local craftsman to the unbleached parchment paper and the wooden utensils, every item has been thoughtfully selected for environmental impact and highest quality. We also raise bees, so our own honey often finds its way onto my boards, as well as our own fresh herbs and flowers!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned is the value of networking. Because I am not selling a commodity, clients who understand and appreciate what I provide know other people who will understand and appreciate it also. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.saugatuckonboard.com
• Instagram: @saugatuckonboard
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saugatuckonboard
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-stannis