Today we’d like to introduce you to Maringelly Montanez.
Hi Maringelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in family, faith, culture, and the belief that food is one of the most meaningful ways to show love and care for others.
Growing up in Puerto Rico, I was inspired by my great-grandmother, Celestina. She had a beautiful way of expressing love through food and hospitality. Whether it was family, friends, or someone in need, she welcomed people with kindness, generosity, and a warm meal. Watching her serve others taught me that food is much more than nourishment—it is a way to bring people together, create connection, and make others feel cared for.
After earning a degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting, I built a successful career in finance and accounting. While I enjoyed the challenges and opportunities of my profession, I always dreamed of creating something of my own—something that would allow me to combine creativity, purpose, and connection.
That dream became M Gelly Luxe Boards.
What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a passion-driven business focused on creating memorable experiences through luxury charcuterie. To me, charcuterie is much more than arranging food on a board. It is an art form that requires time, study, creativity, and attention to detail. Every ingredient is intentionally selected, every pairing carefully considered, and every board thoughtfully designed to create a unique experience that makes the recipient feel valued and appreciated.
One of the things that makes M Gelly Luxe Boards special is my commitment to personalization. I offer customized touches at no additional cost because I believe every client deserves an experience that feels personal and meaningful. Every board is designed with the recipient and occasion in mind, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that goes beyond the food itself.
I also wanted to incorporate a Puerto Rican touch into my business—not only because Puerto Rico is my home, but because of the values that define our culture. The sense of community, unity, generosity, and helping one another are qualities I experienced throughout my life. Those values became especially evident after Hurricane Maria, when neighbors came together to support each other during one of the most difficult times in our island’s history. Witnessing that spirit of resilience and compassion left a lasting impact on me and continues to inspire the way I serve my clients and community today.
My faith plays a significant role in how I approach both life and business. I believe in treating people with respect, compassion, and genuine care. While my great-grandmother Celestina was a woman of faith whose kindness inspired me greatly, my own spiritual values have shaped my commitment to serving others and finding purpose in the work I do.
One experience that deeply touched me happened recently when one of my charcuterie boards was given as a gift to someone who had just lost a family member. When the recipient saw the board, they became emotional and began to cry. What struck me was not the food itself, but what it represented in that moment—a thoughtful gesture, a reminder that someone cared, and a small ray of light during a very difficult time.
That moment reinforced why I do what I do. My motivation goes far beyond creating beautiful boards. I love knowing that something I carefully crafted can bring comfort, connection, encouragement, or joy to someone when they need it most. Whether it is expressing gratitude, welcoming someone, supporting a friend, or simply reminding a person that they are loved and appreciated, every board is created with that purpose in mind.
Today, from my home base in Leander, just north of Austin, Texas, I continue building M Gelly Luxe Boards with the same values that guide my life: faith, excellence, service, and love for others. My hope is that every board I create leaves people feeling seen, valued, and special—because sometimes a simple act of kindness can mean more than we realize.
At its heart, M Gelly Luxe Boards is not just about charcuterie. It is about creating meaningful moments, celebrating human connection, and sharing a little piece of my culture, my faith, and my heart with every board I create.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a completely smooth road, but every challenge has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
One of the biggest challenges has been building M Gelly Luxe Boards while maintaining a full-time career in finance and accounting. I continue to work full-time because it allows me to support my business responsibly, cover expenses, and grow at a sustainable pace without taking on debt or business loans. Balancing both responsibilities requires discipline, patience, and many evenings and weekends dedicated to growing my business.
Another challenge has been building a business away from my family. After moving from Puerto Rico to Texas, I no longer had the large support system I grew up with. While I miss having my family nearby, I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my beloved husband and my mother, who have encouraged me every step of the way.
Like many entrepreneurs, I have also had to step outside of my comfort zone to build brand awareness, network within the community, and learn new skills beyond my professional background. As a perfectionist, I have learned that growth requires balancing excellence with flexibility and trusting the process.
Despite the challenges, moments with my clients remind me why I started this journey. Recently, one of my boards was gifted to someone who had just lost a family member. When they received it, they became emotional and began to cry. In that moment, it was not about the food—it was about feeling seen, supported, and cared for during a difficult time.
Experiences like that remind me that M Gelly Luxe Boards is about much more than charcuterie. It is about creating meaningful moments, showing appreciation, bringing comfort, and helping people connect with one another. Knowing that something I created could bring even a small ray of light to someone’s day is what continues to inspire me to keep growing and moving forward.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently work full-time in finance and accounting, where I specialize in accounts payable, expense management, vendor relations, financial reconciliations, and process improvement. My career has given me a deep appreciation for the relationships that make businesses successful, from clients and vendors to the teams working behind the scenes to keep operations running smoothly.
Working closely with business owners and vendors has also helped me better understand the sacrifices, risks, and dedication required to build and sustain a business. It has given me valuable insight into the importance of trust, communication, and delivering value in every professional relationship.
At the same time, I am the founder of M Gelly Luxe Boards. What I am most proud of is building a business from the ground up while maintaining a full-time career. My background in accounting has allowed me to approach entrepreneurship with a strategic mindset, make informed decisions, and grow responsibly and sustainably.
I believe what sets me apart is my attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and genuine desire to create exceptional experiences. Whether I am working with financial processes or creating a custom charcuterie board, I strive to bring the same level of care, professionalism, and dedication to everything I do.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If there is one thing I would like readers to take away from my story, it is that it is never too late to pursue a dream. You do not need perfect circumstances, unlimited resources, or a detailed roadmap to begin. Sometimes all you need is faith, determination, and the willingness to take the first step.
As a small business owner, I am incredibly grateful for every client who chooses to support local businesses. Behind every order is a person, a family, and a dream being built one step at a time.
My hope is that M Gelly Luxe Boards continues to be more than a charcuterie business. I want it to be a reminder that meaningful connections matter, that thoughtful gestures have the power to brighten someone’s day, and that sharing food can still bring people together in a world that often moves too fast.
Thank you to everyone who has supported my journey so far. The best is yet to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mgluxeboards.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mgellyluxeboards?igsh=YnFva3pxMjhwMGlr&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Be4ay8hnJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maringelly-montanez-capm-97645839
