Another day, another rain storm!
That did not deter us from our exciting day planned, as we had a wonderful picnic with Tierra Thorne, a Pitt Business Executive in Residence, Licensed Social Worker, and Founder & C.E.O. of Blanket & Board. Tierra curated elegant charcuterie boards for our picnic, leading us through her journey of starting her business during the pandemic. Upholding the importance of community, she sought to fill the gap of connection and socialization through everyone’s love language- food. From starting with small picnics to bridge the social distancing gap, her business kicked off, and alongside running a one-woman operation for her media content, Tierra now also caters to weddings, social gatherings, and holiday celebrations.
What I thought was especially interesting is that Tierra does not extensively use high end marketing tools, rather, she chooses to employ creativity with advertising herself through inexpensive social media ads and word of mouth. Through this, she broadcasts herself to a niche market- one which will actively seek her services. Not only is her strategy manageable, but it presents a realistic outlook to small businesses. What piqued my interest was that Blanket & Board was one of 200 businesses selected to support the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, showcasing the growth of the business and its impact on the community. I quite frankly think that Tierra is a remarkable woman and entrepreneur, who does more than working with non profits and running a successful business. Tierra also works with youth centers to help teach practical skills and trauma-coping methods. Her passion for people and the community is one of her biggest strengths, and it is one which has led her to a road of creating opportunities and worthwhile change in the community around her.
What I took away from Tierra was that her success with catering to a niche audience serves as a relevant model for our projects in Ireland. Throughout our picnic, I discussed with her marketing strategies and how we could employ them to benefit Carrigart, bouncing ideas back and forth. What she pointed out to me is that there is a market for everything. As part of the marketing team, I have to dive deep and find the strengths of the town, and bring them to fruition in a way which will have folks stalling to hear more about. We discussed the possibility of creating a town website for Carrigart, something which can remain feasible as long as we utilize efficient platforms. But that is just one step. Cultivating strong, long-lasting relationships is another. Tierra connected with her community, providing opportunities to students, families, and children through her various courses of work, which strengthened her market and her business. This encourages me to think, how can Carrigart forge relationships which will, in the long-run, allow them to thrive? This is something I am now encouraged to research once I reach Ireland!
Tierra’s story helped me understand that you are more than your resume. Her deeper meaning behind her company, community centric ideals, and unwavering dedication to see the environment around her prosper inspires me to create rich connections, where I can plant my roots and see them grow. I hope to take some inspiration from her, and drive myself harder to help create a positive impact in the lives of those around me.
