Adela Dorsey is a woodworker/carpenter. She has always been very handy, helping around her family’s houses and yards. She went to art school for many years, so during the Pandemic, Adela sort of “merged” all of those skills to start making wooden art pieces and refurbishing furniture. She worked on many projects over the years, from different custom art pieces (like the one in the designated desk area at Cowork), to custom canvas frames, to making furniture and outdoor seating. Mainly she builds and rents Marquee letters for events like weddings, baby showers, and other events.
But what makes her “her”, is that she is forever a curious kid-at-heart, with an old soul – she loves learning, and makes a point to learn something new every day. She looks for deeper meaning in almost everything – numbers, occurrence of random animals in dreams, etc., and sees the patterns as a sign or a message from higher power. She craves connection and honesty/transparency with people, she doesn’t like to pretend to be somebody or something that she’s not.
Extracurriculars
When Adela isn’t working on custom projects or coordinating the Rides for Good program, she keeps quite a busy schedule! She has always wanted to be a therapist; she has a M.Sc. in Social Work and is considering going back to school for another master’s degree so she can do Social Work in the US. A few fun tidbits: Adela learned English by watching English TV shows (Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Sex and the City), which she still loves. She is also a huge foodie, loves documentaries, drives stick, and is afraid of worms and slugs.
Why we love Adela
Adela is one of those people that walks into a room and everyone wants to connect with her. She is such a kind, thoughtful person – always checking on others, asking them about themselves, and genuinely listening when they answer. It really seems like there’s nothing she can’t do. At one point this summer, she was designing a large project for the downtown partnership, coordinating the Rides for Good program, prepping for a long trip out of the country, and still popping in and out of Cowork with energy and enthusiasm! It’s not the number of plates that she spins that is impressive (ok, that too!), it’s the way that she makes time for the people in her life – us included! Whether she’s joking about late afternoon cups of coffee, or sweeping the poker table at the Whisper Party, her light is infectious. She makes you feel seen.
Q&A with Adela
We Cowork Frederick members are rebels in our own way. We approach work or life (or both) a little differently. Thinking about how you approach your life or career, what makes you unique?
I don’t separate “work” from “life” as much as I would like to. I am a problem solver; if a problem is presented to me, I’m wired to look for solutions and ways to get to the bottom of it. If something doesn’t align with my values, I’m not afraid to pivot. I used to think that I worked well in my own chaos, but I realized that it was just an excuse,that I needed structure to be productive. When life gets overwhelming, I must deep clean and organize my house, followed by deep cleaning and organizing my thoughts – slow down to breathe. Recently I learned that less is more.
What is something someone wanting to enter the same line of work/business can do to help ensure success?
I certainly didn’t do it the right way, because I am still figuring it out. If I were to call myself out on something it would probably be, “just do it.” I tend to plan and try to align everything perfectly and wait for the right time, which never happens. So, I’d recommend gaining as much exposure as you can, putting yourself out there as much as possible. I’ll emphasize “learning” again. I learned everything that I know from observing family members as a child, but now I learn from things like Instagram and my own research. I don’t follow celebrities – I follow real people that do what I want to do, and I learn from them. I never really had any formal teachers or coaches when it comes to woodworking
Which of the guiding values defined by Cowork Frederick members speaks to you?
It is very hard for me to only pick one … It will have to be Authenticity. I’ve rebuilt myself more than once – from moving to a new country, to pivoting in my career, to healing personal wounds. Authenticity, for me, isn’t loud or showy. It’s more a quiet decision to be who I truly am – even when it’s uncomfortable for some.
Who/What inspires you and keeps you going?
I’m motivated by the idea that we’re all here to learn – about ourselves, about each other, and about how to live with more meaning/purpose. Education, in all its forms, inspires me: formal learning, spiritual growth, the lessons in our relationships, even the quiet self-reflection that happens when no one’s watching. I believe we’re meant to evolve, to peel back the layers, and to become more of who we truly are. What drives me forward is the desire to connect with others and maybe even be the tool that will help them grow too (either from the position of a friend, or even a therapist at some point).
Why Cowork Frederick?
I love Cowork Frederick because it’s a reminder that it’s okay to do it differently – to take the unique path, build your own thing, and define success on your terms. Working solo can sometimes feel lonely or even discouraging, especially when you compare it to the structure of a traditional 9-to-5. Coworking fills that gap. It gives me a sense of community that I didn’t even realize I was missing. And our Cowork people are just the best!
For those who want to learn more, how can you be reached?