Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Fandino. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Belliss’ Boards (pronounced bay-ease) is a team effort between my mother Evelia Garcia, my father, Jose Luis Fandino, and myself, Alex Fandino. We started Belliss’ Boards in March 2022. We had been selling food locally from home in our hometown of Delta Utah for a few months prior with surprising success.
Naturally, this leads to the brainstorming of ways to expand the business and conceptualize new ideas. That’s when my mother, Evelia Garcia, had the lightbulb moment. We were obsessed with charcuterie boards beforehand as a hobby/interest but never considered it a business possibility until she had the thought.
It was one of those ideas that as soon as we reached it, we somehow knew was the path to go and focus on. Sometimes the thing one searches for is right in front of them. I came up with the name Belliss’ Boards as a way to honor my mother. “Belliss” is a life-long nickname of hers derived from her name and is also a shortened form of the Spanish and Italian word “Bellissimo/Bellissima” which means beautiful.
We quickly fell into our roles for the business. My father handles finances and inventory, my mother handles the design and most of the construction of the boards, and I handle business relations, communications, and orders. We started selling out of our home. Soon we were doing boards and grazing tables for events.
I have other business ventures as well that helped build experience and pave a road toward Belliss’ Boards. I sell art (commissions, prints), and record/produce music under the moniker “CHONCHO”. I also use my graphic design degree experience to design logos for businesses (including our own logo).
The arts have always fascinated me. I started drawing when I was four and picked up my first musical instrument when I was about ten. I am fortunate to have a business that allows me to carry over those cumulated passions and get creative with the design process using those developed skills.
More than any other contributing factor. I am most grateful for my parents. It would be impossible for anyone to not feel inspired to pursue their ambitions if they witnessed how hard they have worked all my life. They moved to my hometown of Delta, Utah from Mexico when I was very young to follow the American dream and give my brother and me the best life possible.
Proud of how far we’ve come as a business and proud to be the son of immigrants. We are very excited to see what the future holds for Belliss’ Boards.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road. Starting a business during a worldwide pandemic would probably be advised against by most. Especially when dealing with food items. Covid-19 continues to affect every aspect of the business. from the cost of items, dealing with understandably stricter rules with food handling, to how we handle pickups, drop-offs, and events.
It took a lot of trial and error to get to a system that works for us. But the drive outweighs the setbacks. We have a vision and will maneuver and adjust in any way possible to maintain on course for that vision. Our biggest uphill hurdle was figuring out how we can stand out.
We soon realized the best path for this is charging comparably affordable prices within the charcuterie market, giving more room for flexible customization, and using techniques and items that establish our own signature look and feel.
As you know, we’re big fans of Belliss’ Boards. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We make Charcuterie Boards using premium/high-quality meats, cheeses, fresh fruits, dried fruits, veggies, nuts, treats, and other items. We can customize it to fit any theme, occasion, or craving. Products and services come at different sizes/prices.
Ranging from single-serve items too large grazing tables. Whether you’re feeding 1 or 100 people. We are here to fit any charcuterie needs! Customers also get to keep the boards which can be re-used for a cheaper price. What sets us apart is our affordable prices in the charcuterie board market and our flexibility with customization.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I want to reiterate that Belliss’ Board is very much a team effort. The business and I wouldn’t exist or be anywhere near where we are today if it wasn’t for my parents. Also have to credit our loyal customers/clients, as well as the supportive community of our hometown, Delta Utah. The Belliss’ Boards family is grateful for any support!
Pricing:
- Small Standard Board – $50 – (14.57L×10.2W×2.56H in)- Feeds up to 4
- Large Standard Board – $60 – (16.5L×12.2W×2.56H in) – Feeds up to 6
- XL Board or Grazing Table – Starting at $80 – For anything larger than our standard sizes (board or table). The prize is determined by the size and amount of items used.
- Single Serve Plate – $25
- Single Serve Glass – $15 – Come in a 10.7 Oz (318mL) glass
Contact Info:
- Email: bellissboards@outlook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellissboards/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellissBoards
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCucmbqgFL140b_aH2B7jozg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/chonchofandino
