Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Simper.
Hi Nicole, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I was born and raised in beautiful Salt Lake City. I have a Degree in the Arts that is complemented by an extreme love of food. I moved to New York City, California, and Seattle after college and found my way back to Utah in 2018 to cultivate some roots.
I have worked for many talented chefs, which has shaped my perspective and diverse knowledge of food. I have held every position possible in the restaurant industry, including working as a culinary assistant on the FYI networks cooking show called Scraps!
I am an artist at heart and I always loved styling food and creating an ambiance around eating. Life is too short to eat boring food! The idea of Maven Oak Creative was cultivated on my couch and brought to fruition in my home kitchen.
I had just returned from backpacking in South America and was trying to acclimate back to ‘regular’ life and was fighting every urge to spruce up my resume. I thought starting my own business would be easier. Jokes on me! Not easier but definitely more fulfilling. Maven Oak is the ultimate combination of my love of art, good food, and business.
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?
Absolutely not! Maven Oak has been going for three years and two of which have been during a pandemic. Nothing went how I thought it would and adapting to our ever-changing world has been a wild ride. That being said I have learned SO much and am more resilient than I ever thought. But despite it, all the business keeps growing!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Maven Oak creates small personal platters all the way up to 14 ft grazing tables and everything in between! Lots of time, energy, and thought go into each platter I create. I treat them as unique works of art and the bonus is you get to eat them!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Don’t be afraid to just put yourself out there and get involved in the community that you/your business thrives in. Make connections with your peers and also people you look up to. Have an open mind and be willing to learn and try things until you find the best fit for YOU. I am an advocate for community over competition. I truly believe that there is room for everyone to succeed, with a lot of hard work and persistence of course!
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@mavenoakcreative.com
- Website: mavenoakcreative.com
- Instagram: @mavenoakcreative
Image Credits
Maven Oak Creative
