Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Campbell.
Hi Erica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started Campbell River Cheese & Charcuterie because I wanted a different life—one where I could step away from the corporate world, be present for my children, and have the freedom to watch them grow while building something of my own.
What began as a passion for creating beautiful experiences through food has grown into one of Tampa Bay’s most recognized charcuterie companies. Along the journey, I’ve had the honor of being voted #1 Best of the Bay by Creative Loafing in 2025, recognized as one of the 40 Women to Watch in Tampa Bay 2025, featured in Florida Women Magazine and numerous other publications, and highlighted through multiple television appearances, including News Channel 8. One of the most exciting milestones was being flown to New York to film a television pilot centered around charcuterie.
As my business grew, so did my passion for helping others succeed. Through my coaching, I’ve been able to share the knowledge and strategies I’ve learned firsthand, helping women build businesses with confidence and create financial freedom for themselves and their families.
I also have had the privilege of leading the Women’s Business League Tampa Chapter and now, I am the founder of the Vendor Network of Tampa Bay, creating communities where entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and grow together. We have donated to many organizations to give back in our community including The Children’s Dream Fund.
Today, I’m grateful that a business that started with cheese and creativity has become a platform for leadership, mentorship, and empowering other women and entrepreneurs to build lives and businesses they truly love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like many entrepreneurs, my journey hasn’t been a straight line. One of my biggest challenges was walking away from the security of a traditional career and betting on myself. Leaving behind a predictable paycheck to build a business from the ground up required faith, resilience, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
I also had to learn how to grow a business while being fully present as a mother. There were long days, late nights, and moments of self-doubt where I questioned if I could truly balance entrepreneurship and family. I had to overcome the fear of failure, learn to trust my instincts, and become comfortable taking risks.
As my business grew, I faced the challenges that come with scaling—wearing every hat, managing rapid growth, navigating burnout, and learning that I couldn’t do everything on my own. I had to create systems, ask for help, and step into leadership.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle was overcoming my own mindset. I had to stop playing small, silence the inner critic, and believe that I deserved success. Every challenge became an opportunity to grow, and every setback became a lesson that made me a stronger entrepreneur, leader, and mentor.
Today, those obstacles have shaped my mission: to show other women that it’s possible to build a successful business, create financial freedom, and design a life that allows them to be present for the moments that matter most.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in luxury grazing tables and custom charcuterie experiences for corporate events, private jets, yachts, weddings, broker opens, and upscale gatherings throughout Tampa Bay. I also host hands-on charcuterie classes that bring people together through food, creativity, and connection, creating memorable experiences for both individuals and teams. What sets us apart is our commitment to collaboration over competition. We intentionally partner with other small businesses whenever possible, incorporating products from local companies, from artisan sourdough and local honey to other unique Tampa Bay makers and vendors. Every grazing table becomes an opportunity to showcase and support fellow entrepreneurs.
We also believe in creating opportunities beyond the event itself. After many of our events, we encourage guests and clients to connect with and follow the local businesses involved, helping increase visibility and introduce small brands to new audiences. Supporting our community and helping other entrepreneurs succeed is woven into everything we do.
I’m incredibly proud that our business has become more than a charcuterie company. It’s a platform that brings people together, celebrates local businesses, and creates meaningful opportunities for others to grow.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is my ability to build genuine relationships and see opportunities where others see competition. I believe there is room for everyone to succeed, which is why collaboration has become the foundation of my business.
I don’t just create grazing tables, I create connections. Whether it’s introducing local vendors, showcasing products from fellow small businesses, or helping entrepreneurs gain visibility, I love bringing people together and watching everyone grow. I’m naturally driven, resilient, and willing to take risks, but my heart has always been in helping others win alongside me.
I believe success is even more meaningful when you can use it to lift others up, and that mindset has shaped not only my business but the community I’ve built around it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.campbellrivercheese.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbellrivercheese
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Btu2CthBQ/
