Heather & Savannah Hylton
Chairwomen of the Charcuterie Board
November 2024 Issue
by Lesley Kyle
Photography (top) by Lindsay Gifford
As a child, Savannah Hylton traveled to Hilton Head to attend golf school. When her mother, Heather Hylton, sensed the time was right for a fresh start, she moved Savannah and her brother to the island in 2014. “Who wouldn’t want to start over at the beach,” Heather asked. “Driving over the bridge, your blood pressure drops. It just feels like home.” Savannah graduated from high school with a golf scholarship to Furman University and played on the college team as a freshman. As COVID protocols became a day-to-day reality, college life became lonely for many students. Savannah decided to return home to be with family.
As fate would have it, she attended a bridal shower where the host presented a “grazing table” with lots of yummy things to taste. Admiring the beautiful table together, the hostess said to Savannah, “You can do this!”
Excited by the prospects this new career idea offered, Savannah presented the idea of working together to her mom. Heather had previously co-owned Subway franchises in Georgia and knew her way around the food service business. Based on her experience, she also knew their fledgling business would be better suited for deliveries. “If you can come up with a business plan, we’ll do it,” Heather told Savannah.
The mother-daughter team are part of a very self-directed, success-driven family. Over their own kitchen table, Heather and Savannah decided their new business needed a cute name. Lowcountry Board Babes was born, and the two of them giggled: How long could this last? Now, three years later, Lowcountry Board Babes is going strong and still growing.
Heather and Savannah aren’t afraid to show their fun and creative sides, but they take their work very seriously. “No two clients are alike. It’s very personal to us,” said Heather. “We want clients to see our creativity.” Themes are sometimes an important part of a client’s event, and the Lowcountry Board Babes design menus to carry out the party theme. Sometimes they’ll work with a baker who makes custom cookies for each occasion. Heather and Savannah recalled a mother-daughter client duo who were planning the daughter’s baby shower. The two struggled to agree on the vision for the event until Mom gave the Lowcountry Board Babes the green light to give the expectant mom the shower of her dreams. “To see their faces light up when we deliver an order is so rewarding for us,” said Heather.
What’s it like to be in business with your mom or your daughter? “It’s really fun to work with my mom because I have someone to lean on, and we rely on each other for a boost,” said Savannah. In fact, co-owning the business has brought this mother-daughter team closer together.
“She’s my best friend,” said Heather. “As a mom, watching her grow and transition into owning her own business at such a young age is amazing.” The Board Babes encourage aspiring mother-daughter duos to find their niche. “If starting a business was easy, everyone would do it,” said Heather. “If you’re good at it, customers will come.” While both ladies enjoy a flair for the creative side of the business, Savannah leads the organizational side of operations. When starting a new business, “Know you might fail, and that’s okay,” advised Savannah. “If you’re not doing something wrong, you won’t learn anything from it.” Heather and Savannah spoke with other charcuterie board business owners as part of their start-up process. “Learn from those who are already doing it. Know your boundaries and limits, and be known for what you’re good at,” said Savannah. The two cite their clients’ satisfaction as one of the most rewarding aspects of their business. But each client order is also part of a learning process. “Each event is an opportunity to evaluate what we can do better,” said Heather.
Savannah, in her 20s, believes she has gained more self-confidence by starting a business at such a young age. “We can stand up against other businesses in our field and hold our own,” she said. Heather feels that the business helped her to rebuild her confidence, too. “God gives us gifts, and we just need to figure out how to use them, and be thankful for them. My gift is being a mom and utilizing my creative side.” This mother-daughter teams recognizes their individual gifts and feel blessed to have discovered the opportunity to use them together, a definite formula for success.
Up Close:
Family: Savannah is the middle child of three, all serious golfers!
Moved to the Lowcountry from: Athens, Georgia
A Favorite Project Memory: The BOHO (Bohemian) baby shower with a doughnut tree, parfait cups, and chicken and waffles. Favorite Mantra: Teamwork makes the dream work!
Where To Find Them: In a kitchen—theirs or someone else’s—
or online at www.lowcountryboardbabes.com.