Staphanie Ortiz October 28, 2026

Conversations with Staphanie Ortiz

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Staphanie Ortiz.

Hi Staphanie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I spent years in roles that never fit. Then I decided to stop playing small. I didn’t have a map, but I had the courage to keep moving toward what felt right, and that led me to charcuterie. When I decided to build it as a real business, I stepped away from a career that no longer fit, and I went all in. I took on every role myself and pushed through the self-doubt that had held me back for so long. I bet on myself, and I used AI as my partner to grow faster and smarter. Today I design boards for life’s celebrations, corporate events, community gatherings, and brand launches. Every step has led me closer to my purpose, and I’m still building.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve never been able to color inside the lines. Fashion, art, and doing things a little outside the box have pulled me in since I was a kid. Design in every form, from fashion to art to music, has stayed with me my whole life, and it shapes everything I do. I was working in a corporate tech company where I felt completely stuck. I wasn’t growing or thriving within the company, I had hit the glass ceiling, and I was miserable. I was craving something creative, and I was finally ready to follow my passion. For years I had been running from it, chasing jobs that didn’t align with my true self. Then charcuterie found me. Looking back, I think that’s what happens when you’re meant to do something. It finds you, even when you’ve been avoiding it. Charcuterie accounts started popping up in my algorithm, and something just clicked! I’ve always been drawn to creating beautiful things, so when I saw the chance to design gorgeous masterpieces with food, I thought, “Wait! I can do this!” I started making boards and bringing them to events like girls’ night, and the response lit me up!, but the real turning point? My dear friend/neighbor, Amanda, placed an order for a friend’s birthday and handed me the most beautiful card of encouragement with my very first dollar bill to frame. She saw something in me I hadn’t seen in myself and that was all the spark I needed. I took off with Peony+Brie before I even had a business name! Today, I’m building something entirely my own. Peony + Brie is where my vision comes to life: edible art that helps people gather, connect, and celebrate.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for designing charcuterie and graze boards for life’s celebrations, corporate events, community gatherings, and brand launches, where every board is made to turn the moment into something people remember. Peony + Brie is my own business, and every board I design is made to make someone else’s moment feel special.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me to bring their most special moments to life, a responsibility I never take lightly. It’s proof that betting on myself paid off. I walked away from a career where I felt unseen to chase something creative, and now people trust me to be part of their most meaningful moments. Nothing compares to that “WOW!” reaction on a client’s face. That moment makes it all worth it.
What sets me apart is my eye for design. I bring a background as a user experience designer in tech, along with years of working across hair, makeup, the dental industry, and motherhood. All those experiences taught me to notice details, understand people, and create experiences that feel personal. I don’t just build a board. I design the feeling people walk into. I also run the business myself and use AI as a true partner in how I operate, which lets me give every client the attention their event deserves.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I see risk as a bet on myself, and I’ve learned that the biggest risk is often staying where you feel unseen. Leaving my job to pursue this full-time was the most crucial decision I’ve made. It let me pour myself into learning everything I could and launch the right way. I treated it as a real business from day one, not a side hobby, and I embraced tools like AI early so I could grow faster and smarter. I didn’t have every answer, and I still don’t. But I know that if something doesn’t feel aligned, I can change course. For me, betting on myself was the risk that changed everything.

Contact Info:

Website: https://peonyandbrie.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peonyandbrie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583848886760

A person in a white blouse and floral skirt sits on a wooden bench beneath a large tree.

Person standing beside a small cart under a white parasol in an outdoor plaza.

Person in a white shirt beside open trays of prepared foods under a patio umbrella.

A colorful platter of sliced meats, cheeses, olives, berries, grapes, citrus, and other fruit.

A large fruit and cheese platter arranged on a kitchen island, with a stove and bowls behind it.

A large spread of cheeses, fruit, crackers, meats, and dips on a table beside a window and photo-covered board.

A large charcuterie spread with cheeses, meats, fruit, olives, and flowers on a table.

A platter arranged with sliced meats, cheeses, olives, berries, grapes, figs, and walnuts.

Overhead view of a long charcuterie spread with cheeses, meats, fruit, crackers, flowers, and a bowl of dip.

A wooden board arranged with sliced meats, cheeses, grapes, olives, nuts, fruit, and crackers.

Round charcuterie platter with sliced meats, cheeses, olives, fruit, crackers, and dips on a wooden table.

A platter arranged with sliced meats, grapes, berries, olives, cheese, and strawberries.

An oval platter of assorted fruit arranged in orange and red flower shapes on a wooden floor.

Wooden letter M filled with fruit, olives, cheese, and cured meats beside a wine bottle and rose-shaped salami.

A Christmas tree-shaped arrangement of meats, cheeses, fruit, olives, and herbs on a wooden floor.

Round platter arranged with cheeses, sliced meats, olives, grapes, fruit, and a blue ribbon on a wooden table.

An abundant platter of grapes, berries, sliced meats, cheese, nuts, and a bowl of red sauce.

A large rectangular platter filled with grapes, berries, sliced fruit, cheeses, crackers, and decorative garnishes.

A long white table covered with flowers, food, and dishes beneath colorful wall art.

A colorful spread of fruit, vegetables, cheeses, meats, bread, and flowers arranged on a table.

A table covered with grapes, berries, olives, cheeses, cured meats, pastries, and dips.

Long platter topped with grapes, berries, cheese, sliced meats, crackers, and a round decorated cookie.

A tabletop covered with colorful candies, lollipops, sweets, and a small clock.

Circular artwork made from small colorful objects arranged in rainbow bands on a wooden floor.

A rectangular platter arranged with grapes, olives, cheeses, cured meats, nuts, dried fruit, and decorative edible flowers.

A rectangular platter of grapes, cheeses, cured meats, olives, nuts, berries, and edible flowers.

A hand holds a branded cup filled with snacks outside a house, with a real estate banner nearby.

Person with dark hair wearing a sleeveless brown top, seated beside a leafy plant.

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