For Jason Katzenback, building Roots to Table wasn’t about starting another business… It was about starting over.
In 2018, Jason and his family faced the devastating loss of their oldest daughter to cancer. A year later, his wife Charlene was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. And just as they began navigating that storm, the world shut down with COVID.
“Life had been moving too fast,” Jason said. “It was time to stop, breathe, and focus on what truly matters.”
In June 2020, he sold his ownership in the company he had co-founded in Austin, Texas, and stepped away. After years of constant movement, he realized he needed space to think - to refocus and rebuild.
That reset brought him home to Sault Ste. Marie with his entrepreneurial drive still burning. By September 2021, the idea that would become Roots to Table had taken shape - a way to combine his background in manufacturing and marketing with a deeper purpose: creating something meaningful and lasting.
But it wasn’t instant. Jason spent the next few years learning the equipment, testing products, and refining every process. “It took a lot of trial and error,” he said. “I wanted to build something we could be proud of - something our customers would want to show off and would last a lifetime.”
Building from the Ground Up
Jason wasn’t exactly starting from scratch. He studied manufacturing in school and spent a decade in the industry while at the same time launching his first company in 1997. That early venture eventually closed, but the experience lit a spark. In 2004, he started another company - one that quickly took off - giving him the freedom to step away from his job in 2005 and build something of his own.
Over time, that success allowed him to combine his two worlds of hands-on craftsmanship and digital marketing.
“Now I get to bring both sides together,” he said. “Roots to Table is where manufacturing and storytelling finally meet.”
The inspiration came naturally. Jason and Charlene have always loved to travel - both for business and pleasure - and everywhere they went, they noticed how mealtime was the center of connection. “No matter the country, the table was always where people opened up,” he said. That same feeling carried into their home, where they loved entertaining friends and family. “It was that passion for bringing people together that really sparked the idea,” Jason said. “I wanted to create something that would help others do the same.”
From Garage to Growth
By October 2024, the dream became tangible. Roots to Table moved from Jason’s garage into a full-scale workshop, and soon after, the first listings went live on Etsy.
The response was immediate.
“Absolutely beautiful. The board exceeded my expectations - beautifully packaged and shipped in record time,” wrote Melissa, one of many five-star reviewers.
“I had it custom engraved for a wedding gift and it turned out absolutely perfect,” shared Jessica. “The engraving looked refined and intentional… the board feels like a piece of usable art.”
Sales took off quickly, led by the live-edge charcuterie boards, followed by another handmade creation, their custom live edge cribbage boards. Handcrafted from the same premium walnut and maple, they instantly stood out as thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts - each piece engraved and finished to create something meaningful for families and friends to share over time.
“The cribbage board is so beautiful - I love it,” wrote Sharon in a verified review. “I’ve already ordered another one.”
Today, both the charcuterie and cribbage boards are among the top sellers on Etsy in Canada and the United States, loved by customers who want gifts that carry real emotion and craftsmanship.
“That was the moment we knew we had something special,” Jason said. “The reviews showed us people weren’t just looking for products - they were looking for something personal to give, something that would be remembered.”
Craftsmanship Rooted in Care
Every board at Roots to Table begins with locally sourced Canadian wood that the team sawmills and kiln-dries themselves to ensure quality from start to finish.
For cutting boards, it’s sugar maple - prized for durability and its natural antibacterial properties (kills 99.9% of bacteria in three minutes). “Sugar maple is number one,” Jason said. “It’s the best cutting board material there is - tough on bacteria, gentle on knives, and grown right here in Algoma.”
For serving and presentation pieces, it’s walnut - a rich, dark wood sourced from Southern Ontario. “Walnut has depth and warmth that draws people in.” Jason said.
The result is a line of handcrafted maple and walnut pieces that balance function and beauty - cutting boards, charcuterie boards, crib boards, and more on the way (yes, tables too) - all made with purpose and precision.
“Absolutely stunning quality,” wrote Travis in a recent review. “I felt special opening it… it was packaged like a luxury item.”
Designing With Community
From the beginning, Roots to Table has been about connection… not just in what they make, but how they make it.
Through their Facebook page and a private “Test Kitchen” group, customers are invited to weigh in on prototypes, designs, and new ideas. “It’s really fun to engage with our customers, they have so much feedback.” Jason said. “Our customers help us shape what we create.”
It’s that same community focus that fuels their philosophy of giving back. Every board sold one tree is planted - a commitment to sustainability that mirrors the company’s belief in creating more than it takes.
Beyond the Product
Now with nearly 3,000 products sold worldwide and hundreds of verified five-star reviews, Roots to Table has earned its reputation for craftsmanship and heart. About 95% of customers buy their products as gifts - personalized with engraved names, handwritten recipes, or heartfelt messages that turn each board into a keepsake.
“They worked with me on a handwritten recipe from my late grandmother,” wrote Darlene. “Tears were flowing when my friends opened it. Top quality and delivered within days.”
Jason says, “That moment - when someone first opens the box - is one of the key things that keeps me focused on every step of the experience, from ordering to unboxing. When they finally open it and run their hands across the board, I want it to feel positive from start to finish.”
The Heart of It All
Roots to Table is working hard to become a Sault Ste. Marie success story, and Jason says the mission remains simple: to create happy customers through meaningful experiences.
“It’s not just about building something,” he said. “It’s about giving people something real. Something that connects them to others. We live in a world that’s loud and fast - I want what we make to help people slow down, share stories, and feel like they belong.”
That’s what Roots to Table is built on - craftsmanship, connection, and care.
And it’s a story still being written… one board at a time.