Today we’d like to introduce you to Neraka Taylor.
Hi Neraka, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Lady Hibachi was born from my passion for food, people, and creating unforgettable experiences. I’ve been an executive chef for over 23 years, and throughout my career I’ve worked in healthcare and food service leadership, learning every aspect of the industry—from cooking and menu development to leadership, operations, and customer service. Those experiences gave me the confidence and foundation to build something of my own.
About six years ago, I took a leap of faith and started Lady Hibachi. It definitely wasn’t easy. Building a business from the ground up came with long hours, financial challenges, learning experiences, and plenty of moments where I questioned myself. I had to earn trust, build a reputation, and wear every hat imaginable—chef, owner, marketer, event planner, and sometimes even my own delivery team. Every event became an opportunity to improve, connect with people, and grow the brand.
What makes Lady Hibachi different is that we don’t just serve food—we create an experience. We bring people together through live hibachi cooking, entertainment, audience participation, games, and memorable moments that families, friends, and coworkers talk about long after the event is over.
My career has also continued to grow professionally. Today, I serve as a Director of Food and Nutrition in healthcare, where I lead teams dedicated to serving patients with excellence. Balancing a leadership career while growing Lady Hibachi has required discipline, sacrifice, and faith, but it’s shown me that you don’t have to limit yourself to one dream.
Losing both of my parents has also shaped who I am. Their lives and the lessons they taught me continue to motivate me to work hard, stay humble, and build something meaningful that makes them proud.
Looking back, the journey hasn’t been easy, but it has absolutely been worth it. Every obstacle has helped shape Lady Hibachi into what it is today. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I’m even more excited about where we’re headed. My goal is to continue growing the brand, giving back to the community, creating opportunities for others, and showing people that with passion, persistence, and faith, it’s possible to turn a dream into a successful business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest obstacles I’ve faced as a small business owner has been realizing that running a business takes much more than being good at what you do. Cooking is my passion, but building and sustaining a business requires leadership, financial discipline, marketing, customer service, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt every single day.
Finding reliable, dedicated employees has been one of my greatest challenges. It’s not always easy to find people who share the same work ethic, take pride in their work, and genuinely care about providing an exceptional experience for every customer. Building a team that represents my brand with the same level of professionalism and passion has taken time.
Like many small business owners, I’ve also faced financial obstacles. There are constant expenses—equipment, supplies, insurance, permits, marketing, payroll, transportation, and unexpected costs. There have been times when I’ve had to reinvest every dollar back into the business instead of paying myself because I believed in the long-term vision.
Another challenge is balancing multiple responsibilities. In addition to owning Lady Hibachi, I also have a demanding career in healthcare food service leadership. Learning how to manage my time, stay organized, and give my best to both roles has required discipline and sacrifice.
Despite those challenges, every obstacle has made me stronger. I’ve learned to be resourceful, patient, and resilient. Each setback has taught me valuable lessons that helped me improve my business and become a better leader. Running a small business isn’t easy, but seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces, creating memorable experiences, and watching Lady Hibachi continue to grow makes every challenge worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve always been a creative entrepreneur. Years ago, I owned a boutique where I enjoyed helping people express themselves through fashion and custom pieces. That experience sparked my passion for creating unique, handcrafted items, which continues today through my love of crafting.
I specialize in custom resin work, creating everything from personalized gifts and home décor to keepsakes and one-of-a-kind pieces. I also enjoy alterations and bringing new life to items that people already own. Creativity has always been a big part of who I am, and I love turning ideas into something meaningful that people can cherish.
In addition to my creative work, I’m the owner of Lady Hibachi, where I create memorable live hibachi dining experiences. Whether I’m cooking for guests or creating custom crafts, my goal is always the same—to make people smile and give them something they’ll remember.
If time allows in the future, I’d love to expand my skills into decorative epoxy flooring. It’s another creative outlet that has always interested me, and I enjoy learning new trades that challenge me artistically.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to wear many hats while staying true to who I am. Whether I’m leading teams in healthcare food service, growing Lady Hibachi, creating handcrafted resin pieces, or helping someone with a custom project, I put my whole heart into everything I do.
I believe what sets me apart is my versatility, creativity, and genuine passion for helping others. I don’t just focus on building businesses—I focus on building relationships, creating memorable experiences, and using my talents to bring value to the people and communities I serve.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about my city is the sense of community. People genuinely support one another, and there’s a strong culture of small businesses, local events, and entrepreneurs working hard to make a difference. It’s a place full of talent, resilience, and opportunity, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
I’d love to see continued improvements in public safety and cleaner neighborhoods so everyone can enjoy the city even more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Ladyhibachi.com
- Instagram: Lady Hibachi
- Facebook: Lady Hibachi
