Life & Work with Danielle Thomas of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Thomas.

Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began with a passion for bringing people together through food and memorable experiences. What started as preparing meals and hosting gatherings for family and friends gradually grew into something much bigger. During Covid, I realized that creating an exceptional experience isn’t just about serving great food—it was about helping people celebrate life’s most important moments!

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?
My path wasn’t easy. Building a business required learning new skills, overcoming challenges, and staying focused even during uncertain times. There were times when I had to wear every hat in the business such as chef, planner, marketer, accountant, event coordinator, etc. This was all while continuing to believe in the vision. Being a Black woman business owner has given me a unique perspective on leadership and entrepreneurship. Imagine walking into rooms where people assume I am an employee and are surprised I am the owner.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is Danielle Thomas, I am the owner and founder of Taste-ify LLC, a Cleveland-based catering and event services company specializing in creating memorable experiences through exceptional food, hospitality, and event execution. Depending on who you ask, we are know for AMAZING chicken salad, corned beef egg rolls and corned beef pizza. We offer a variety of different menu cuisines. We are known for flavorful, high quality food, beautiful event presentation, and great customer service.

What I am most proud of is building a business from the bottom up that has become a trusted resource within the Cleveland community. Many of my clients return year after year and refer their friends, family members, and organizations because they know they can depend on Taste-ify to deliver. There is no greater compliment than knowing my dreams are leaving a lasting impact on the people I serve.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the catering industry shifting to more AI driven tools to assist with planning, marketing, and social interactions between clients and businesses. I do hope over the next 5-10 years people continue to focus on supporting local businesses and creating community connections.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Taste-ify.com
• Instagram: @tasteify216
• Facebook: @tasteify216