THE basis of Kombi for a Cause is simple, provide hot drinks to those in need.<\/p>\n
After purchasing the distinctive blue van 12 months ago, owner Kyllie Garrett said the business has become a way for her to give back.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea behind the concept is that about 18 months ago I went to Russia and had stem cell treatment for MS,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI paid for a lot of that through crowd funding, a lot of people were just really generous and giving me money for my own health.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to do something to give back to the community and other people.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to providing quality coffee and hot drinks to her customers, Ms Garrett frequently donates a portion of her profits to charitable causes.<\/p>\n
Trying to focus on local causes predominantly, she said there\u2019s always people in need of a helping hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, we recently donated to someone\u2019s Go Fund Me for their dad who was diagnosed with cancer,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce COVID started, I started doing the cups of gratitude where people would pay it forward with a cup of coffee and I would match it with another one and bank them up then go around and make a heap of coffees for free at schools or at the hospital or wherever.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try to put out nominations and I get the occasional nomination where someone is grateful to someone about something they have done for them, or someone who is having a hard time.\u201d<\/p>\n
When she\u2019s not making coffees and donating to charities, Ms Garrett is also a single mother to her young children.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really enjoy what I do and I can show my kids how to give back and have gratitude,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I\u2019m a single parent, I find that it\u2019s super flexible so I can drop the kids off at school and go and do a coffee run, or they can come with me.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven with COVID, I\u2019ve been able to just go with the flow and manage my day between making a little bit of money and making some memories as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the lockdown period inhibited a lot of businesses around the city, that\u2019s not the case for Ms Garrett.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been really busy, so I do a lot of schools and different businesses, even street stops,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring COVID, I opened up in my garage and in lockdown people would come and grab a coffee when they were out exercising.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I started doing street stops for people who were working from home and wanted a coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having only operated the van for a year, Ms Garrett said she\u2019s both thankful for all the support she\u2019s received so far and is excited for what the future of the business has in store.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also do a mobile bar for weddings and events as well which I\u2019m excited to be kicking off,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot long ago, I purchased another van so I\u2019m looking to put someone else on and this summer I\u2019ll be out at Salt restaurant doing picnics and at the sunflower and lavender fields.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been so well received in the community and it\u2019s all thanks to word of mouth, that\u2019s basically 100 per cent of my business is people just passing it on.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE basis of Kombi for a Cause is simple, provide hot drinks to those in need. After purchasing the distinctive blue van 12 months ago, owner Kyllie Garrett said the business has become a way for her to give back. \u201cThe idea behind the concept is that about 18 months ago I went to Russia […]<\/p>\n