ENTREPRENEUR S P O T L I G H T DELILAH MUKES

Delilah Mukes, better known as Lilah Belle, is a highly esteemed innovator, inspiration, motivator, and leader in the business world This serial mompreneur of 3 boys is the CEO and Owner of multiple companies One is her successful catering company, Tantalizing Dining, where she is a traveling chef providing delicious meals to local and out-of-state clients. Her entrepreneurial spirit has led her to found two additional companies, Be Luscious Beauty Cosmetics™ and D Monique Shoetique™, which have also seen great success Her achievements are a testament to her exceptional leadership skills and unwavering determination

Lilah Belle generously shares her knowledge and expertise with others She has catered and assisted with community events and has volunteered her culinary skills to teach and mentor young adults and peers on the entrepreneur path Delilah’s dedication to her craft and willingness to help others succeed is a top passion alongside her businesses

She has dedicated her life to giving back and inspiring others through her vast knowledge from life and business experiences Her goal is to help grow the minds of those around her and inspire them to continue on a path toward a brighter future for themselves and their surroundings With her guidance, she believes individuals can reach their full potential and positively impact the world

Can you share a little about your upbringing? Who or what was your earliest example of entrepreneurship?

I was born on the south side of Chicago middle-class and had 5 other siblings My earliest example of entrepreneurship was being introduced to MLM companies in my late teenage years Ive met wonderful people in different companies that showcased what it meant and what it looked like to be your own boss and do things on your own time

What inspired the story of your entrepreneurial journey? Can you take us through the backstory of your very first company?

My sons are my biggest inspiration In the past, the jobs I worked showed me that I was working more for the dreams of that business owner than my own After culinary school, I worked different jobs in the culinary field and fell in love with the culinary industry I worked very hard for various companies, and after I gained enough experience, I decided I wanted to start my own company, LilahBelle’s Kitchen and Catering

You are a business-savvy boss mom How do you balance motherhood and entrepreneurship amidst your busy schedule?

I balance being a mom and entrepreneur by keeping my kids in the process They love helping me, whether with inventory for your boutique or helping you cook a 5-star meal for dinner It is also important to take time off to be with my children and take time off for self-care and reflection That is one of the greatest things I love about being a business owner I can schedule my time accordingly around my family plans Its so important to make time for myself and enjoy the fruits of my labor with those I do it for, my children

Can you share the ups and downs of running a successful catering company? Share the benefits of adding travel along chef to your offerings

Your clientele knows what to expect, and you ALWAYS deliver I make sure my food is top-tier each time, and I love seeing that become a reality! My tagline is Tantalizing Tastebuds, and I make sure I give that wonderfully made experience within every bite! However, changing food prices throughout the year and finding the right time to get fresh produce can be difficult!! Adding traveling helps me obtain a larger scale of clientele, exposing me to new ways to prepare food! Nothing’s too big for Chef Lilah Belle

You have recently branched out into having 2 additional companies Can you tell us more about those?

In 2018, I started selling lip glosses They were unique tubes with a built-in light and mirror with different flavors and unique names They became an instant hit! I was then asked to add more items like purses, jewelry, and even more makeup products to my line

Once I learned more about outsourcing and finding the proper vendors for my products, it turned into a business model on its own, and I received an Entrepreneur Of The Year award in 2020 for the rapid growth and success of my company, Be Luscious Beauty TM My third company came from my love of shoes!! I am a shoe-a-holic!! I wanted to gear this company toward making women feel their best selves when they accessorize with the right pair of shoes!! As a buyer, I know what it feels like to look for shoes that are not only stylish but affordable So I wanted to incorporate my way of buying shoes into the business model of my company D-Monique Shoetique

You are running three successful brands What does self-care look like for you?

Self-care for me is really taking time to enjoy the fruits of my labor I enjoy going to the nail salon to get a fresh set or a royal pedicure I love to listen to music, preferably oldschool R&B or AfroBeats Most importantly, I make sure to take time AWAY from anything work-related and plug into my family and friends Self-care is also checking in to see how I feel on all fronts I make sure I eat and stay hydrated, take breaks when needed, or take time off when things get too stressful or chaotic

What message do you hope your supporters take away from your platform?

I hope that supporters get from my companies that I am affordable and provide everyone with all types of services and products!!