Meet Mai Che | Mompreneur & Curator of Custom Charcuterie Experiences

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mai Che and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mai, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I worked as an events specialist, and I truly loved it. Being behind the scenes—coordinating with hotel staff, kitchen teams, sales departments, and clients—was incredibly fulfilling. There’s something special about watching an event come together from start to finish. The energy, the excitement, and the joy of people celebrating meaningful moments always inspired me.

When I transitioned into stay-at-home motherhood, I knew I still wanted to stay connected to that world. I was looking for something I was passionate about—something that could get me out of my daily routine, back into the community, and allow me to connect with people beyond my toddler’s day-to-day schedule. I wanted a creative side hustle that felt fun, energizing, and purposeful.

Over the years, I had naturally developed a love for creating charcuterie displays for my own gatherings. Friends and family often encouraged me to pursue it professionally, but it wasn’t until that season of my life that the idea truly clicked. One day, a friend sent me a video of a mobile charcuterie cart, and it sparked something immediately. I remember thinking, I could do that—and I would love doing that.

From there, Oh Happy Charcuterie was born. I designed my own cart, created the branding and logo, and built everything with my personal aesthetic and vision in mind. What started as a way to get out of the house and do something joyful quickly turned into a business that allows me to bring beauty, connection, and a little bit of wow-factor to people’s celebrations. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, community, and entrepreneurship—and I’m so grateful it grew into something more than I ever imagined.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What truly sets me apart in this industry is the heart behind the service. Oh Happy Charcuterie isn’t a large corporate catering company focused on volume or transactions—I’m personally invested in every event I’m part of. Because I genuinely love working events, I don’t just show up to serve food; I become part of the celebration. Whether I’m congratulating newlyweds, celebrating a mom-to-be, or singing happy birthday alongside guests, I feel honored to be included in some of life’s most meaningful moments. It’s never “just another order” to me. I bring my full energy, excitement, and care because I want clients and their guests to truly feel celebrated and to remember the experience long after the event ends.

Professionally, my journey has been anything but easy—but it has been incredibly rewarding. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is understanding the value I bring to the table, and that value is closely tied to time, energy, and intention. When I first started, I underpriced my services in an effort to gain experience and build momentum. I tried to fit every budget, and over time, that became draining. I realized that if I wanted to preserve my passion for events, I had to honor my worth. Once I adjusted my pricing to reflect the true value of my work, something shifted. What began as a side hustle transformed into a business that genuinely reflects my heart, creativity, and commitment.

What I’m most proud of is that Oh Happy Charcuterie is a true extension of who I am. Every cart setup, every interaction, and every detail represents the time, energy, and joy I pour into this work. My brand is about more than beautiful charcuterie—it’s about connection, presence, and creating memorable moments.

What I want the world to know is that it is possible to take a leap of faith. Starting something new is hard, and growth rarely comes without challenges. But through those challenges, we learn, evolve, and build confidence. I may not have a calendar booked years in advance, but I have something just as valuable: belief in myself, pride in my work, and a business built with intention, gratitude, and heart.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting the area for a week, I’d want to give them a mix of family-friendly fun, great food, and memorable local experiences.

For friends visiting with young kids, I’d definitely start with some of our favorite play spots near home in Ontario. My little one loves LOL Kids Club and Kids Empire in Ontario—they’re great places for kids to burn energy and share big laughs. We’re also big fans of outdoor time, so playground stops at Celebration Park North and Centennial Park in Ontario, as well as Founders Park in Chino, would absolutely be on the list.

We’re a big Disney family, so at least one Disneyland day in Anaheim is a must. Beyond the rides, some of our favorite treats include the classic Disney churros, pineapple spears, and oversized pickles. A personal favorite is the mac and cheese with chili served in a bread bowl from Refreshment Corner—comfort food at its best.

For a late-night treat, I’d make a special stop at M & M Donuts in Anaheim. Their blueberry donuts—served hot and fresh starting at 9:00 p.m.—are absolutely worth the wait. There’s usually a line, but it’s part of the experience.

When it comes to food, we love an all-you-can-eat experience, and U-Grill Korean BBQ in Rancho Cucamonga is our go-to spot. It’s a fun, social way to enjoy a meal and spend time together.

To round out the week, I’d plan an evening in Los Angeles catching a live performance or musical. We love the energy of live theater and recently saw Ben Platt live at the Ahmanson Theatre, which was an unforgettable experience. Ending the week with music or a show feels like the perfect way to experience the creative heartbeat of Southern California.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are truly so many people who deserve credit in my story. First and foremost, my mom. She was an entrepreneur who always said she never wanted to work for anyone but herself. As a single mother, she built and ran her own small businesses with incredible determination. Watching her work so hard instilled in me a strong work ethic and showed me what dedication and resilience really look like.

I also owe so much to my husband, Andrew, my sister, Kim, and my best friends, Cathy and Fadila. They’ve been part of my lifelong dream of working in the events world and have supported me through every job change, creative idea, setback, and success. They patiently listened as I debriefed, brainstormed, and sometimes completely overwhelmed myself with ideas. Their encouragement and belief in me—often more than I had in myself—played a huge role in bringing Oh Happy Charcuterie to life.

Lastly, my brother-in-law, Ryan, deserves a special shoutout. He was essentially my build supervisor, teaching me how to use power tools and helping me think through the cart’s dimensions, materials, functionality, and overall design. His guidance helped turn a vision into something tangible.

Oh Happy Charcuterie is truly a reflection of the love, support, and encouragement of my village, and I’m endlessly grateful for each person who helped shape this journey.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohhappycharcuterie

Yelp: https://yelp.to/p9GLxCNLYm