WOMEN IN BUSINESS
CORTNEY La Corte
Founder, Cheese Gal; cheesegal.com
Early Aspirations
While I didn’t set out to open a cheese and charcuterie board business/shop when I was little, I did used to pretend to be Martha Stewart. I would put on a show with “cameras” and would cook pretend food while talking to a stuffed animal audience. My godmother (also a queen of dinner parties) taught me the art of cheeseboards when I was 15, and ever since I’ve had a complete fascination with them. There’s always been this part of me that enjoyed incorporating all of these elements—hosting a great dinner party with close friends and making memories while enjoying this beautifully plated cheeseboard. So, while it wasn’t always my dream to be doing what I’m doing now, it really all makes so much sense how I landed here.
On Social Media
It’s crazy to say that Instagram is the reason I’m here, but it’s exactly why I am. Before Cheese Gal was an IG handle, I would post photos of my boards to my personal account. One thing led to another and that’s how I landed my first gig. The day I decided to start my Instagram, my friend [influencer] Shannon Ford put out some stories about me on her IG, and I literally woke up to 3,000-plus followers. From there, I strategically gifted boards to people around town in hopes that they would take pictures and post. Most all of them did and that’s how the word got out about (formerly known) Nashville Cheese Gal.
The Definition of Success
Success to me isn’t measured by finances, it’s doing anything that fulfills you, or that allows you to be your authentic self. For me, it’s making cheeseboards, yes, but it’s more about the fact that I get to do something that brings me and others true joy. That’s success to me.
The Nashville Connection
The sense of community here really is amazing. We really rally behind small businesses here, and that’s been vital to Cheese Gal’s existence. I don’t know that cheese gal would’ve taken off in any other town the way it has here. I think that the mix of the community and tourism is what has made us successful. Because of Instagram and the nationwide reach I’m fortunate to have from it, and because Nashville is one of the most visited vacation spots, it’s opened up this opportunity for people who follow me online and are visiting from out of town to order CG boards when they’re here.
Advice to Others
Don’t be afraid to jump. Even if you have no idea what you’re doing, or maybe you have small kids at home and you think, “how can I ever do this?” Believe me, you can. Last summer I was faced with having signed a two-year lease for our first store and then found out I was pregnant with our second baby just three days later. But you just do it. Take the leap!
LANDYN Hutchinson
Lifestyle Brand and Entrepreneur; livingwithlandyn.com
Making Her Way
Authentic. That word perfectly describes me and is the backbone of my brand. I guess you can say the growth and rise of it all was honestly staying true to myself and continuing to share my everyday life—the good and bad—which in turn created a community of incredible women that related to just that: real life. Each of my 44 trips around the sun gave me life experiences, like growing up with a single mom, learning to decorate on a dime and celebrate the little things, falling in love at 14, husband in the public eye, moving nine times, teaching myself to cook, finding my personal style, raising kids, and most recently, chickens. I’m not an expert at any one of these things, but one thing I can do is help us all feel good in each area of our lives.
Challenges Faced
I never set out to have a website, open a store, or host a podcast. It all just happened so organically. One woman sharing with another and then another. It’s really all so crazy when I stop to think about it, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the success that I have had so far. If there’s any one challenge, it’s finding that beautiful balance of life and work. So much, if not all of what I share is my daily life. There’s no lights at the office to turn off and leave by 5 p.m., as a matter of fact that’s when the lights turn on: It’s dinner time and I’m the friend sharing an easy weeknight recipe in hopes of giving you an idea for tomorrow night’s dinner. I guess that would be my challenge in all of it.
The Definition of Success
Success is knowing that what you are doing is helping you and others live a better, happier, healthier life. I believe success comes from being content. I believe in our culture everyone is looking for the next big thing, what to do next—we never slow down long
