Building My Charcuterie Board of Directors: Strategy with Style

Before you rush to launch your business, here’s one key detail often overlooked: your board of directors.

Not every company requires a board, but if your business model calls for one, don’t treat it as an afterthought. A board should be a powerhouse of expertise, strategic insight, and proven leadership that aligns with your company’s long-term goals.

Personally, I like to think of mine as a charcuterie board of directors: a little of this, a little of that— carefully selected, thoughtfully arranged, and designed to compliment each other. The right mix can elevate your company’s vision into something truly worth serving.

For fun, here’s my dream board consideration lineup:

Jeanie Buss, Melinda French Gates, Bill McDermott, Melissa Grady Dias, Byron Allen, Pamela Murphy, Doug Tabish, Santi Subotovsky, Jamie Salter, Pierre Berber, Craig Anthony Williams, Peter Thomas Killalea, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson and Gilbert “Berner” Anthony Milan Jr.

And of course, you always reserve a few seats for people you trust without hesitation. Trust is the glue of any great board.

Whether or not your business structure requires a formal board, it’s still smart to have a mental “reference board”— a personal advisory group made up of professionals who’ve dominated in their space. Study them. Learn from them. Consider how their knowledge can shape your journey.

A well-curated board, real or imagined, is more than a status symbol. It’s a blueprint for sustainable growth.