Feature Friday: Theresia Muller
Theresia Muller of Bonamia Restuarant
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So yes, Tess went from waitress, to owner. How cool is that?!
After marrying the love of her life, 3 years ago, in a shotgun wedding – just kidding, in a beautiful purple butterfly themed wedding – the Mullers moved to East London were they faced what Tess calls ‘a season in the wilderness’. “God taught us a lot in our wilderness and we soon got to a point where we both felt called for more!” She shared with me.
Becoming a business owner was always something Tess had trusted God for, but, as with all dreams that He plants in our hearts, it seemed really, really big! A year later, after finding out that her previous boss was planning to sell Bonamia, she mentioned to Justin that the place was available for purchase. He spontaneously decided that they should attempt to buy it. “We were the least qualified in all spheres of the process but we were pursuing purpose and covered in favour!”
The Mullers won the bid to buy the restaurant and somehow finances came in and they were able to put money down for it. They moved back to Port Elizabeth to pursue their new vocation as restaurateurs and their business has been steadily growing ever since. “It has been growing so much that we were crazy enough to purchase our second one this year and it will probably not be the last!”
There are currently 2 Bonamia branches in Port Elizabeth – The initial restaurant in Walker Drive and the newest edition in Walmer. Both feature a homely but elegant setting with an ABCDlicious menu (that is ever evolving!) and really friendly staff that are willing to accommodate you and your functions.
Being a restaurateur is not all fun and games and the Mullers’ are always hard at work, striving to give their customers’ the best dining experience that they can. So couple that with the added energy of 1 year old Joshua (who has a thing for shaking his booty!), and you will understand why Tess lists “sleep” as one of her hobbies! A worshiper at heart, Tess also squeezes in a movie or 2 where she can and loves to socialize on her days off.
She shares that being a good steward when she was “just a waitress” played a big role in the doors that were opened for her and Justin when they decided to purchase the restaurant. “When I was a waitress I treated Bonamia as it was my own (good stewarding). I loved it. I had been in the industry before but fell in love with the place because of all the regular faces I had gotten to know.” She explained.
I love Theresia’s testimony! It is proof that when you dream big with God, then He will make your dreams a reality!
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