Sarah ZIMMERMAN Tuthill '87, Founder and Owner of ezpz gatherings
Sarah ZIMMERMAN Tuthill ’87 had always dreamed of opening her own business. So, with a love of all things food, wine, and design, she opened Gathering Boards by ezpz gatherings in 2020 as a way to bring people together.Throughout the pandemic, she offered charcuterie boxes to go and now, having just opened a brick and mortar store in Aspinwall, is offering beautifully constructed boards to the Pittsburgh area. Want to learn to make your own charcuterie board? Join us on June 15, 2021 for Ellis After Fifth Ave: Building the Perfect Charcuterie Board with Sarah ZIMMERMAN Tuthill ’87 from 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Years at Ellis | Kindergarten to Grade 12 |
Education: | B.S. Communications, Penn State University |
Location: | Pittsburgh, PA |
Occupation: | Owner, ezpz gatherings, LLC |
How did you get into your line of work?
I am the owner of Gathering Boards by ezpz gatherings. After a wonderful and successful career in corporate communications, I took a step back after having children. Not wanting to return to the corporate grind, I began freelance writing, which I still do and love, but had always dreamt of owning a business of my own so I started ezpz gatherings.
What do you like most about making gathering boards?
I’ve always loved to entertain, enjoy food and wine, and have dabbled in both interior and floral design. I started Gathering Boards in 2020 as a way to bring all these interests together in one place… on a cheese and charcuterie board!
What do you think is the biggest lesson that can be applied from your line of work to everyday life?
While my job is to make life simple for customers, It's also important to keep my life simple. Say no when you have to. And don't feel guilty about it.
What is the most important lesson you learned at Ellis?
I was a lifer. All-girls is all I knew. And it worked for me. I had the opportunity to choose a different school, but Ellis was home. So when I went to Penn State, it was literally the first time I was in a classroom with men. During a lecture in a women's studies course during freshman year, my professor quoted a study about females raising their hands in class at a far less percentage than their male counterparts. I was blown away! Why would a female NOT raise her hand?! It was then that I realized the impact my Ellis education had on me as a young woman who was never afraid to, among other things, raise her hand.
