Today we’d like to introduce you to Diahann Thomas
Hi Diahann, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Born in Muskegon, MI Chef Divine (Diahann) has always had a love for food. Growing up with the name “Miss Cookie,” one would think that being a pastry chef was her calling, yet the journey was definitely different.
Growing up in a small town my mother’s rule was be home for dinner before the street lights came on so that we could eat as a family.
Although having a family was on my list growing up, my initial goal was to climb the corporate ladder and become the youngest Vice President within the company I was working for. However each hour spent climbing the ladder was one less hour spent with my husband and son. After 12 years with the company and endless hours spent on the climb. I lost my job, the company was long gone, however my husband and son were still there. So many times within those 12.5 years I would say to myself; It’s ok to go home late, this will be worth the sacrifice. Those hours spent away from my family cost me valuable time I would never get back and also ended in the split of my family.
Coming to grips with a failed career, marriage and my mother having Multiple Sclerosis. I quickly realized that I wanted to help families eat well and create those nostalgic memories that are tied to dinner time. With a clear understanding of things that would have helped me along my climb, lots of prayer I ventured into the entrepreneurial space with She’s Divine Cuisine has one major goal to help dismantle the notion that women needed to be Superwomen, climb the corporate ladder, be a wife and mom by taking one of the major items off their list… dinner time with the family. Thus Divine Personal Chef Svs. Now know as She’s Divine Cuisine was created.
Over the 10 years we have giving our families 60 hours plus of their time back each week. We do that by providing meal delivery services and dinner needs which includes, customers menu creation, grocery shopping, in-home meal preparation, family cooking classes, deliveries and all of their dining needs.
I believe in using my purpose to help with causes that are close to my heart, I love working with non profit organizations and am apart of the Executive Board of Lakeshore Flavors in Muskegon Michigan, where I am able to help in the non profit sector.
I believe me helping families lead healthy lifestyles through my services not only helps with physical health it helps with families mental health.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
9 months as a entrepreneur, my business was growing, and success was showing through the reviews and feedback, I thought I was surly on the way saving and getting back on my feet. But summer time came and as a personal chef many clients went on vacation. On the verge of eviction and after trying to ask for help from social services the experience itself stripped me of my dignity and I was left hopeless yet again. Now too proud and hurt to ask for any additional assistance, I had to come up with new services that would ensure I was never in that position again. I created what is now known as She’s Divine Cuisine, a multipurpose meal preparation company geared towards the family sector. While building this business over the last 10 years from a setback in 2015, to the opportunity to start a branch of the business in my hometown Muskegon Michigan… I would say I am on my way to a comeback. In 2024 I decided to reset and go back to where I started only focusing on the personal chef side of the services here in Atalanta and in Michigan along side my younger sister.
I now take pride in helping other small businesses get through some of those hurdles with my consulting and working alongside amazing organizations such as Lakeshore Flavors in Muskegon MI.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Shes Divine Cuisine multifaceted – multi state meal solution company own and operated by African American women, aimed for our community. We provide restaurant quality meal service in several ways, providing personal chef services privacy of your home, curating private cooking classes, intimate dinners or boutique catering. And lastly by providing weekly family style door step meal delivery. We are the answer to providing great tasting, healthful, affordable safe meals delivered to the comfort of your home without the weekly planning, shopping, cooking or cleaning.
What sets me apart is that I don’t do any marketing. I’m still really grassroots, word of mouth. I love the fact that my clients share my services and their experiences with so many that I have never needed to do marketing. That makes the growth organic and simply Divine. I’ve had to allow God to provide over these years, it’s not always easy. But the life of an entrepreneur is truly dependent on your faith in a higher power and for me that is Jesus.
Brand wise I’m proud of the ability to lay my pride aside (most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do) and make new transitions for the business that also were the best personally for me. I’ve never put my well being first when operating the business. However in this new stage, that’s a very important piece. In doing so, maintaining the integrity of my service, how I operate and truly always wanting the best for my clients.
My services are truly from the heart. Every time I prepare a meal, do an event or a delivery. Just know I’m truly giving of myself I believe it’s my way of serving it’s just through food.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Covid-19 showed me that my services are more than a luxury service, or for those that are well off or have extra funds for a personal chef. It’s a necessity for families to eat well, be well and be able to spend quality time outside of meal preparation. Many of my clients have given praise for the services. My Google reviews are a testament to that.
Pricing:
- Weekly meal prep starts @$280 for families of 1-2
- Dinner parties start @650 for 2-4 people
- Personal chef or small business consulting starts @$100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shesdivinecuisine.com
- Instagram: Shesdivinecuisine
- Facebook: Shesdivinecuisine
- LinkedIn: DiahannThomas
