The chance chat which led to a flourishing business

Ten years ago Adele Kyle took a leap of faith when the boss of a pizza shop where she worked decided to sell on a shop he had previously bought.

It was a move which the mum-of-two says she has never looked back on despite the hard work and long hours establishing her new sandwich and catering business.

The 47-year-old now employs two members of staff to help her run Mardi Gras, based in Dean Road, South Shields.

Mrs Kyle said: “I was working in a care home and a pizza shop. The owner of the pizza place had a shop which was lying empty, then one day he decided he was going to sell it.

“I decided to take the opportunity, I just thought ‘you only have one chance in life, and I’m going to take it’.

“I’d always wanted to be my own boss. It was a lot of hard work and I still can’t believe I’m still here after 10 years.”

Mardi Gras is a sandwich bar which also offers outside catering for private functions and businesses and celebration cakes including cup cakes and wedding cakes.

Mardi Gras also offers online ordering for both breakfast and lunch delivery.

Mrs Kyle said: “There is a lot of hard work and long hours involved in running your own business but it is also rewarding – I love it.

“We do a lot of outside catering and we also have a lot of passing trade from the college, it can be quite hectic at times.

“A lot of ourcustomers are regulars who keep coming back, however, it is also nice to welcome new customers.

“A man came in the other day for the first time and he commented on how nice the place was – it was nice that someone had taken the time to notice.

“Having my own business did make it easier when I had the children as I was able to work things around them. They are all really proud.”

Mardi Gras is open Mondays to Thursdays from 8am until 4pm, Fridays and Saturdays 8am until 3pm.

The shop runs various promotions from time to time with plans to launch another in the near future.

For information, visit www.mardigrascatering.co.uk or call 07901 636 073.

For anyone wishing to place a breakfast or lunch delivery order, at least 24 hours’ notice is needed.

For outside catering quotes, email [email protected]