At BizCover we seek to recognise and reward small businesses owners who go above and beyond for their customers. For hospitality workers like Georgi, providing the best food and experience is their passion.
The $2000 BizGiver grant is awarded each quarter to better the lives of small business owners and facilitate growth through a product or service. Our 47th round of BizGiver Australia received almost 300 entries, making it highly difficult to select a winner. During our selection process, we provide a space for small business owners to share their story and tell us how they plan to use the grant. At BizCover, we take this grant seriously. We share all the finalists’ stories with our staff and invite everyone to vote for who they think should receive the grant.
Congratulations to Paid 4 U Café for being the latest recipient of the BizGiver grant. We interviewed business owner Georgi about the café’s mission to help vulnerable people in their community and the significance of their wish. Here is her story.
Why did you start your business?
Paid 4 U café started giving quality meals to the homeless and less fortunate families around Adelaide for free in 2021. Regular customers get a chance to pay forward their meals when they dine in. The price is very competitive; however, the quality is not compromised. Chefs from The Ghan and various other hospitality places come to cook for us. The café also acts as a place to train people to be baristas and chefs.
Paid 4 U Café is under The Mustard Seed Family Project. I saw a homeless person eating food from a trash bin in January 2019 in the city of Adelaide, which led me to wanting to do more to support the community.
Why did you enter the BizGiver competition? Why did you wish for your particular wish?
At times, we all support the homeless with some food or groceries. However, for most people this is an occasional occurrence. This is where I got an idea of purchasing a large fridge, where we can cook meals and leave them for people to take for free at the café. Take what you want and leave what you can. People who are struggling will have the chance to eat quality meals for free. In order to fulfil this, we need a commercial fridge and that’s the reason why I entered the competition.
How will winning this prize help your business?
Paid 4 U Café is all about community support and services. Every business needs money in order to function. Our cafe is supported mostly by volunteers. Winning a grant like this will help to cover our capital costs and start a new vision – the free ready-to-eat meals fridge. Winning this grant will also spread awareness of our business, and more people will come to know about our project.
Why do you love your job?
I am a hospitality professional. All my life I have been serving others, and I completely believe that’s my calling and purpose. Giving someone quality food and making others satisfied brings me joy and happiness.
Where do you see your business in 5 years’ time? What are your growth goals?
Paid 4 U Café needs to be replicated in various suburbs of Adelaide. No more poverty, no more homelessness and no more starvation!
What are the biggest challenges your business faces? Will winning the prize help?
One of our biggest challenges is that sometimes we lack volunteers and staff. Others don’t always possess the same vision or passion as me. Winning this grant really helps small business like us to fulfil dreams like a new fridge. We hope this will bring in new customers.
What have been your biggest achievements?
We have achieved a lot of great things, like 1000 food kits for families and more than 100 free quality meals for the homeless. We have seen smiles on their faces and created hope for struggling people around Adelaide.
For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/paid4u/
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