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Suburban Woman Magazine

Congratulations to Delilah Matos 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year!

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A Beautiful Fighter Who Won’t Back Down.

Pairing self-confidence, social good, a fighting spirit and entrepreneurship, Delilah supports women in developing and sustaining their inner confidence. Being an example herself, she reminds women to make time to better themselves for a better world while providing her healthy aging services for over the past decade. Delilah understands the fight. She worked hard to build her business, often working two or three jobs in the process of raising a son. Her journey had her experience firsthand what the “fight” of life is. Reflecting on her journey, she began thinking about others who are out there fighting, too. “My journey wasn’t easy, but no one’s is. We must “fight” to get where we want to be. If you want to achieve your dreams, you must overcome challenges. Sometimes they are challenges that are outside our control, sometimes they’re challenges that we bring upon ourselves by mistakes and the journey of life,” says Delilah.

Delilah started beauty school while a teenager and started working in salons as soon as she was licensed. Over the years she discovered her niche and moved into product research and branding, while servicing her clients. Delilah expresses an endless creativity for thinking outside the box, branding, and the ability to identify formulas that produce the best products for her customers. She now collaborates with cosmetic companies who consult her for branding ideas and conjuring up sway product names. Beautiful Fighter® is where she now focuses most of her time. This is a company you need to know about. Beautiful Fighter® is a line of skin care, cosmetics and much more. Believing everyone has the power to fight for what they believe in, Delilah has packaged her vision into an impactful, empowering product line that delivers a difference. “I didn’t create Fighter to be just another skin care or cosmetic company, it is created with the intention of delivering products with IMPACT, one that will touch people’s lives, a message that empowers and yes of course keeps us all looking and feeling our best.” Delilah says.

Delilah works in conjunction with Northwestern Medicine, where she administers Oncology Facials, extending her Beautiful Fighter® message to those facing cancer. Due to the versatile nature of the product line, Beautiful Fighter® products are utilized at the cancer resource center and are a proven great match for patients undergoing cancer treatments. Her treatments and products have enhanced the quality of life of many patients. In the past year, boxing has become a big part of Delilah’s life, she has seen her personal life and business grow alongside her love for boxing. She started boxing just a little over a year ago and has blossomed into a Beautiful Fighter® herself. She also competed as a finalist in her first boxing match at the Chicago Golden Gloves. As she thinks of women who must fight throughout their lives for various reasons, she shares that it made her realize that the fight is not just in the ring, but it is even more so outside the ropes.

“The fight is every day, each day we ALL wake up and face something. I see it when I work with my clients at the cancer center. Or women and children of domestic violence. When it comes to boxing or sports in general, I began to think of athletes that must fight through their own personal challenges to get to where they are today, that is why I had to take Beautiful Fighter and go straight to the USA Boxing Olympic Organization.” Delilah says.
Recently, Delilah met with the USA Olympic Boxing Organization in Colorado Springs. She now is in partnership with the Organization and is an Official Sponsor for the USA Boxing Team, providing top athletes with Beautiful Fighter products.

In partnership with the YWCA, Beautiful Fighter® products are available through the nonprofits online store with a portion of all sales going back to support their anti-domestic violence program. A similar program is in place
with Chicago’s largest nonprofit anti-domestic organization, WINGS. She is also a longtime supporter of Project HELP of DuPage, whose mission is to empower parents, nurture families and strengthen communities. Delilah desires women, children and teens to experience the strength to face their fight beautifully and is on a relentless mission to deliver her message.

When asked about advice for other entrepreneurs, Delilah says, “Don’t compete with one another, compete with yourself, don’t focus on what others think, people are going to think you’re crazy anyway. Fight for what you know is calling you and believe in. Keep fighting and don’t back down. Don’t try to be perfect, always be yourself.” Delilah also shares “Determine what matters to you most, ask yourself, what does success mean to you? If your focus is only money, you’ll miss the mission of your work and the magic that happens along the way. Feeling wealthy is not about money, it’s about serving others, improving the lives around you, money will come. God feeds all the birds so try not to worry too much.”

Also, on Delilah’s agenda is another mission trip overseas. “I do a lot for our local communities here first, but / also love to help women and children in need from other parts of the world.” she says. This time, she wants to go
back sharing boxing and Beautiful Fighter with women, young adults and children. “I want to bring a bin of boxing gloves and red lipstick for all the women and mini boxing gloves for all the children. Being able to share an entire week of boxing with a village that maybe has never had the opportunity to put on a pair of gloves and experience boxing would be like a dream come true.”

In asking Delilah why she picked boxing as her outlet, she had this to share: “Boxing has changed my body, the way I experience being fit inside and out. It pushes me physically, mentally and emotionally. There is always room to grow and learn. Find an activity that makes you tick, and challenges you. If we’re not pushing outside our comfort zones we will get too comfortable where we’re at, don’t settle, keep pushing for your best.” Delilah’s making her goals and dreams come true, and she’s learned to fight for it. “With faith all things are possible, but even with faith you still must face the day and fight for what you believe in. Faith without work is nothing. Believe in yourself, and keep fighting”

Visit www.beautifulfighter.com and stay connected to the first company if its kind. Congratulations Delilah! 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year. A recognition well deserved

Helping Girls and Women Find Their Value, Identity and Power

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Meet Leah Tatina:

The world doesn’t know what a girl or woman should be!

Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey. How did you come to own a business?

I’ve had a deep concern for girls and women probably since my first job as a middle school teacher. Everyday, I witnessed girls struggling to discover who they are in this very challenging culture, taking their cues from the world. But the problem is, the world doesn’t know what a girl or woman should be! One minute we’re told “Be who you are…” and the next moment told, “… just don’t be like this.” It’s confusing and frustrating, to say the least.

As the years have passed and I now have my own daughter, I see it’s only getting more difficult for girls and women to embrace who God created us to be. As a Christian, this moves my heart because I believe God has created each girl and woman for a very specific purpose and for great, lasting, and supernatural impact. God doesn’t make “manufacturer defects”. But the lies from the world just keep coming. So what could I do? Well, I began praying, “God, take who you made me to be and do what you want. Maximize me.” He answered. About two years ago, I felt a very strong calling to create resources for girls and women that would help them embrace who they are in Jesus Christ: made uniquely, cherished deeply so they can be maximized completely. That’s the purpose of my business, Made Matchless. Today, I create meaningful resources & products, lead mother-daughter events, and am developing a girls curriculum, all with that vision in mind.

Have you ever found yourself “in over your head”? How did you get through that? How did you grow?

I’m pretty sure I feel like this everyday. I home school my daughter and son, so working, teaching, and living at home frequently blurs together. It’s difficult to keep everything straight and to stay focused. I also teach a Made Matchless class for girls once a week. On top of that, I like to feel in-control and feel like I’m moving forward, but life in this season frequently challenges

that. But I’ve discovered that feeling “in over my head” forces me to turn to God and ask him to give me what I need for today. I have to remind myself this season is exactly where I’m supposed to be and all the things I’d love to accomplish with Made Matchless ultimately need to pass through the hands of God first. I have to trust he’ll allow me to accomplish today only what he desires. He sees my longings and will bless them in his time.

The picture in many people’s mind is that business ownership is smooth sailing, lavish vacation homes, big expense accounts and more. Am I describing your life?

No! We are actually in a season of sacrifice. Homeschooling children means my work with Made Matchless is part time. It’s hard when you see a vision, but know you can only do so much with the time you have. But I’m encouraged because every week, I hear moms and women say to me, “What you’re doing is so needed.” They all use that same exact phrase: “so needed”. One day, I realized something: I can’t expect Made Matchless to be all I dreamed today. I’m building something new, creating fresh, relevant, and meaningful resources and curriculum, so that girls and women can go out and be who God made them to be. That isn’t done overnight. It’s done intentionally, carefully, and in my case, slowly. It’s tempting to compare myself to other women in business, but I know that the work I’m doing is so much greater a treasure than lavish houses and nice vacations. I’m doing the work for God’s treasures: girls and women.

Business ownership can be a lonely road. Who do you go to for guidance and help in your business and life?

I regularly go to my Christian Advisory Board at Christian Business Fellowship for guidance in business matters. They’ve been so helpful and have given me so many fantastic insights and encouragement! I’m a visionary and a creative, so there are lots of business management practices that simply aren’t in my God-given toolbox. I’m so thankful for my CAB to run business concerns and questions by. I also have a very supportive husband who encourages me when I want to give up!

What advice would you have for business owners out there or those who would like to be a business owner someday?

Don’t look to be the next, better version of someone else or some other company. Bring yourself, your unique perspective and experiences, your unique passions and who God created you to be. Then create something uniquely YOU. Listen to what others are saying, what others are needing, what they wish was available to make life more rich and rewarding. Then bring it!

Give yourself the grace and patience to learn. Most of my business is what it is today because I sought out to learn everything I could. I still have a long way to go and, someday, I’d love to hire a team of people to do what I’m simply not designed to do. But in the meantime, embrace this season, learn and apply all you can, and just take one more step forward in faith each day.

What motivates you every day to do what you do?

My vision for Made Matchless is to help girls and women, in a very challenging and confusing culture, to find their value, identity, and power in Jesus Christ so they can live with supernatural purpose and impact, just as God made them.

The girls I teach each week are the next generation of women. They motivate me. My daughter is in the next generation of women. She motivates me. The women I talk to tell me that they still struggle to believe the truths that I teach to girls. They motivate me. My vision to see all these precious girls and women make a supernatural impact is what keeps me going. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do through Made Matchless in the years to come.

connect@madematchless.com • 815-260-1144 • MadeMatchless.com

Are you ready for a New Style for the New Year?

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New Location in Crystal Lake

We are thrilled to announce we are offering all of the comfort, care, and excellence you’ve come to expect from the Bii team…now at 2 locations!

At both Biis, we provide hair and products that you can feel good about, using only products that are high performing, ethically sourced, and formulated with eco-friendly ingredients.

At Bii, we are dedicated to a beautiful present and a healthy future.

The new Bii Natural Salon & Shop is right off of Northwest Highway, across from Mariano’s. The address is 12 Crystal Lake Plaza, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Give a Healthy Gift!

This holiday season, treat your friends and family to naturally derived and eco-friendly products, including deodorants, facial cleaners, body washes, lotions, and home essentials. Our Bii Lifestyle Market provides products that are hardworking while remaining gentle on the earth, and they safely break down in the environment, too.

If you are looking for natural, non-toxic products and want to support companies committed to 100% renewable energy and water offsets, visit Bii Lifestyle Market.

We Discount Your Upkeep

Whether you are interested in Balayage Hair Color for a sun kissed, dimensional feel or a Precision Cut with exact and elegant angles, we understand the importance of keeping an on-point look. Our Bii Three Visit Offer is a way to save money while maintaining your signature style.

  • 50% off — 1st visit

  • 25% off — 2nd visit

  • 15% off — 3rd visit

At both Bii locations, you’ll find Hair Artists who listen and produce quality results. That’s why the Bii Hair Salon Happiness Guarantee is in effect wherever you see the Bii name.

Are you ready for a New Style for the New Year?

Call bii Hair Salon at 847.428.8821 now or book your appointment online at www.biihairsalon.com

Roll Out the Barrel

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Lynfred Winery

What is it about a wine barrel that evokes a sense of lust for wine lovers? Guests to the winery always want to see one thing, the barrel room. Maybe it’s because the barrels hold our precious libation before it is released into the world; they coddled it and loved it when it was young. Maybe it’s because it gives so much of itself to wine in such a delicate matter. Whatever it is, we love wine barrels.

The wine barrel serves three functions:

  1. The wood used to make the barrel flavors the wine.
  2. The barrel allows for clarification of the wine; particles in the wine drop to the bottom of the barrel.
  3. The barrel serves as a vessel for aging.

A typical wine barrel holds 60 gallons of wine which translates to 25 cases of wine, which is 300 bottles and turns out to be about 1,187 glasses of wine (give or take a glass or two). Due to evaporation, which contributes to the concentration of flavors, the barrels are topped off about every other week. This helps prevent oxidation.

A new French barrel costs about $900 to $1000 and has a life span of about 4 to 6 years. During its prime, it gives wine a toasty vanilla flavor and will have a great effect on the mouth feel and texture of the wine. An American barrel costs $500 to $600 and contributes an intense, spicy flavor and often notes of coconut. Some winemakers in the states have also started using Hungarian oak. At a cost of approximately $600 per barrel, it is expected to contribute many of the same characteristics as the more expensive French barrels.

Something to keep in mind, not all wines are aged in wine barrels. Granted, the majority of red wines are aged in oak, but many white wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. A winemaker uses oak as a chef uses seasonings and spices. Just as a chef can over (or under) season a dish, a winemaker can with oak as well. Oak is meant to be an enhancement to the beauty of the grape and its juice.

Next time you open a bottle of red, or an oaked bottle of white, raise a toast to the ‘seasoning’ of its life, the wine barrel.

Christina Anderson-Heller is the Marketing Director for Lynfred Winery.  Lynfred Winery, located in Roselle, with tasting room locations in Wheaton, Wheeling and Naperville, is Illinois’ oldest and largest, continually-operating family winery.  All the wines mentioned in this column can be found at Lynfred. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @lynfredwinery.