Lindsey and Silas Coffelt of Graze Craze

Lindsey and Silas Coffelt met and married while working in the home construction industry. After decades in a demanding field, they were ready for something new that would allow them to build a business together in a more sustainable way. That search led them to Graze Craze, a national charcuterie board franchise.

As they started out, they faced a familiar small business challenge. Demand was growing, but limited equipment capacity, especially during peak seasons like holidays and tailgating, meant missed opportunities and mounting stress. With only a small oven and freezer, keeping up with orders while maintaining quality was a constant pressure.

With support from the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) Foundation’s Small Business Support Hub, funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Lindsey and Silas were able to participate in courses to strengthen their operations, marketing and leadership approach while expanding their network. A grant through the program allowed them to upgrade their freezer and oven space, increasing productivity and easing operational strain.

As Lindsey explained, “The SBAM Small Business Support Hub has been an invaluable resource. From guidance and education to connections and encouragement, their support reinforced that we were not building in isolation.”

“We Wanted to Try Something New”

LINDSEY: Before Graze Craze, my career was rooted in marketing, operations and leadership roles in new home construction. I spent more than two decades helping growing organizations scale thoughtfully, build systems and connect authentically with their customers.

Silas brings a complementary skill set. He has always been hands-on, operationally focused and people-driven. Opening Graze Craze gave us the opportunity to combine our strengths, strategy and execution, vision and day-to-day problem solving into one shared venture.

SILAS: We both come from the residential construction industry. Lindsey worked for a local home builder for more than two decades. I joined later and spent about 10 years there. She handled marketing, human resources, office management and wore a lot of hats. I was on the production side, starting with cleanup and working my way up to supervisor, making sure everything in each home was finished the right way.

As I got older, the physical side of the job was taking a toll. We started talking about doing something different, something that felt a little more sustainable long term. We worked with a franchise matchmaker and looked at a lot of options. Some didn’t fit, some we couldn’t afford and some just didn’t feel right. 

When we came across Graze Craze, it stood out. It felt like something Lansing didn’t really have yet. We wanted to try something new.

“Community Involvement is Core”

LINDSEY: As owners, Silas and I are deeply involved in the business. My focus is on marketing, partnerships and community engagement, while Silas leads operations, logistics and quality.

That can look like anything from working alongside our team in the kitchen to meeting with local organizations about catering or fundraising partnerships, coordinating events or supporting customers who are celebrating important moments in their lives.

Community involvement is core to how we operate. We regularly partner with nonprofits, schools, chambers and local organizations throughout the Lansing area. It is not an add-on for us; it is part of why we chose to do business here.

SILAS: Everything we do is fresh and done by hand. We make our own dips, jams and hummus in house. Produce is washed and prepped by hand. Meat is sliced by hand. There are no shortcuts. We really connected with that quality from the start. It’s simple food but done the right way.

We do a lot of orders for the Capital area. We’ve delivered to state offices, worked with Michigan State and handled events for companies, weddings, proms and graduations. Those are always fun. Our motto is, ‘Celebrate everything.’ If it’s a good moment, big or small, we want to be part of it.

“Starting a Business Humbles You Quickly”

LINDSEY: One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been seeing how people use our boards to mark meaningful moments, birthdays, weddings, memorials, business milestones or simply showing up for someone they care about.

Building our team has also been incredibly rewarding. Creating a workplace where people feel valued, trusted and supported matters to us.

At the same time, starting a business humbles you quickly. There are always challenges you cannot fully plan for, but those moments strengthen your systems, your partnerships and your confidence over time.

SILAS: We’ve been fortunate to receive some recognition along the way. We won the SBAM Michigan Celebrates Small Business award in the micro business category, and that was a great experience. There was a big event at the Breslin Center, and it really gave us a moment to step back and appreciate how far we’ve come.

And Lindsey continues to get recognized within the Graze Craze system for her marketing. That’s a big part of why we’ve been able to grow the way we have.

Looking Ahead

LINDSEY: Our goal is to continue growing in a way that stays aligned with our values. That means deepening our community partnerships, creating new experiential offerings and continuing to provide meaningful opportunities for our team.

Both Silas and I are lifelong Mid-Michigan people. I grew up in Eaton Rapids and Lansing, and Silas grew up in Okemos. This area is home to us. Looking ahead, we want Graze Craze to remain a trusted, go-to brand for celebrating life’s moments while staying rooted right here in Mid-Michigan.

Find resources for your small business to continue growing through the MEDC and its Small Business Support Hub partners. Learn More