Charlie Kerbel is a kids’ garments designer primarily based in Los Angeles who has far more than 20 yrs of expertise. Throughout the pandemic, she resolved to start out her facet hustle earning customizable grazing packing containers. Her company ME’N’U Grazing LA is the sister business to ME’N’U Grazing primarily based in South Africa. The mother of 3 sat down with Jessica Abo to share her journey and her tips for anyone wondering about starting off a facet hustle.

Jessica Abo: How did you occur up with this thought for your side hustle?

Charlie Kerbel: Having a few little ones, as properly as partaking with youngsters and their moms in my day occupation, I often utilized to hear mothers chatting about the absence of party packing containers and enjoyment foods options obtainable. Quite a few prospects are often observed when you determine a problem or hole in the market place, so I took edge of this and utilised my expertise in the artistic globe and styling to produce a merchandise that youngsters and mothers would enjoy, then broke into a area of interest market place. We begun producing a range of kids’ candy containers that can also be customized and custom made, these have also developed to all ages now as the containers can also be applied as presents to convey any concept in a enjoyable, delightful and artistic way.

What was the to start with step that you took to deliver your thought to lifestyle?

So my most effective friend, Michelle lives in South Africa and she had started off a grazing board firm. We had been chatting 1 working day about elevating the grazing boards to the next level, immediately after in-depth conversations and so a great deal enthusiasm and exhilaration. We resolved let’s do it. Let us provide it to LA. And ME’N’U Grazing LA was born.

What designed you pick grazing boards?

I’m a designer. I really like food stuff and I adore giving presents, I also enjoy issues that seem very good. So people items kind of just in shape alongside one another organically. After doing a lot of research and listening to other people talking, it was very clear that not a lot of presents or charcuterie boards that you can customise or personalize at a good value level exist. We made a decision to bridge that gap and convey a thing that was distinctive and special that was at an cost-effective value point to a market that also craves benefit.

It can be very mind-boggling when you start a facet hustle to…