Adel Griesel turned a negative situation into a positive one
For many people, Covid-19 changed their lives in a very bad way, but for Adel it opened the door to her dream.
Adel Griesel (42) had the choice to either sit at home and wait for possible job opportunities or to get up and do something she has always dreamt of.
She had to make this decision after she was retrenched in August after being a travel agent for about 22 years.
“When I got the news, I was in a state because what now and what is the way forward,” she said.
Her dream
One of her dreams has always been to open a coffee shop at the beach.
“So instead of opening it at the beach, my husband, Johann, came up with this brilliant idea of a coffee tuk-tuk.
“We then took my package money and bought a tuk-tuk and started planning and building.”
Adel is a coffee-lover and she said she will travel far for a good cup of coffee.
“Coffee is a cheap drug to many people,” she said.
By November, Adel was at the corner of Vermooten Street and Swartkoppies Road selling a variety of coffees and muffins.
People were literally standing in queues for her coffee.
“Covid-19 created a lot of bad experiences and life changes for many people, but for me, it opened up a door,” she said.
According to her, she likes challenges, which her retrenchment offered. She had to go on and do something because she has two children depending on her.
“My family is what kept me going; they kept me inspired,” she said.
Adelicious Coffee and Treats
“We registered the business as Adelicious Coffee and Treats, and I also got a health and safety certificate,” she explained.
According to her, when she worked at MTN a couple of years ago one of her colleagues, Thulane, always made her coffee and he always called her Adelicious.
“The name just stuck with me and it now works perfectly with what I am doing.”
Adel is parked on the premises of one of her friends, Henter Kriel, who does not charge her a cent.
“He has been so generous and supportive towards me, and I am very thankful for him.”
Adelicious Coffee and Treats is open weekly from 6.30am to 2.30pm and on weekends Adel and her family travel to markets and festivals.
“It’s like a working holiday,” Adel said.
More than just coffee
Adel told the RECORD the best part about her job is that she gets to meet so many people.
“I got to know them and their stories. I also learnt a lot from my clients. It is more than just selling good coffee, it is about those personal connections I make with them. We will stand and have a chat and later on I will already know how they drink their coffee and what they want,” she said.
During the interview, Adel’s passion for people and making the best coffee in town was noticeable. Every morning she gets up at 5am to bake muffins so that it can be ready by 6.30am.
“My husband helps me to pack the tuk-tuk and to drive it from home to Vermooten Street. My daughter enjoys baking with me, and my son loves going with when I have to buy stock. So I also spend time with my loved ones,” she added.
Unique in her own way
“I believe I am offering the community something unique. I make all my products on my menu myself and I believe in my products. As a coffee lover, I know what others would possibly want or like.”
On a personal note
Adel has been living in Brackenhurst for almost 16 years. She has been married to Johann Griesel for five years and has two children, Morné and Leigh-anka.
In her spare time, she loves to walk her three dogs and she also enjoys cycling.
“We love to do things together as a family,” she said.
Adel is inspired by people, and she is living her dream after 22 years.
“We are definitely thinking of expanding Adelicious Coffee and Treats and one day having that coffee shop at the beach,” Adel said.
