Bellevue students operate a small business: C&O Charcuteries

Bellevue’s halls have been buzzing after discovering that Bellevue's very own juniors, Olivia Anderson and Chloe Coogan, have successfully created a small business. Anderson and Coogan’s new venture, C&O Charcuteries, is a business focused on creating handmade, intricate, and elegant food platters. Serving as the gold standard for any food arrangement, they have truly mastered the art of table centerpieces. 

Anderson and Coogan's inspiration for starting a small business began with their shared need for money. Both being 13 at the time, having a real job was out of the question. As the holiday party season neared, they saw an opportunity. The holidays always bring in festive parties and events, all of which tend to feature a mix of catered foods.

“We thought of what was super popular on social media at the time, and charcuteries were most definitely in.” Coogan said.

Finding the business idea was easy for them, the struggle started with logistics.

“It took us awhile to find proper retailers to source our foods, but once we did, we created a surefire business model that has worked for us since!” Andersen said.

Together, Anderson and Coogan turned a simple need into a creative opportunity, combining brilliant timing with a growing food trend. What began as a seasonal idea quickly evolved into a promising business built on initiative, originality, and determination.

While starting a business may seem easy, Coogan and Anderson faced countless challenges before it was smooth sailing.

“Trying to place all of the foods on the board and making it look presentable was a real struggle at the start. After a lot of practice, we found what works best for us and made a board design we’ve stuck to.” Anderson said. 

Overcoming initial quality setbacks and refining their craft propelled the team toward greater success. As C&O Charcuteries’ reputation grew in Bellevue, businesses began requesting them for large-scale events, with one client consistently ordering 30 boards three years in a row. 

What started as a small, holiday-inspired idea between two middle schoolers has grown into a respected local business with returning clients and increasing demand. Through creativity, persistence, and a willingness to learn from early challenges, Anderson and Coogan have proven that age is no barrier to entrepreneurship. As C&O Charcuteries continues to grow, Anderson and Coogan remain a testament to what creativity and determination can achieve at any age. For those planning an upcoming event, their handmade boards bring both elegance and quality. Choosing C&O Charcuteries is a way to support local creativity, one board at a time.