Saimo is the founder of Smol Beginnings, an Indigenous-owned, family-led catering business based on Thursday Island. After years working in professional kitchens, she returned home and launched the business in 2020 alongside her children, building something grounded in family, culture, and great food.
In October, Saimo and her daughters were given the chance to step inside another thriving catering company — not as observers, but as participants. Over three days in Cairns, Saimo, Rozanna, and Saisa immersed themselves in the day-to-day reality of running a busy catering business, hosted by Elsa from Eat Real Cairns.
From early starts in the kitchen to packing orders and navigating customer expectations, they experienced the full rhythm of catering life. They asked questions, tested systems, and saw first-hand how an established business manages growth, quality, and pressure. The learning was practical and immediate, and skills they could take straight back to Smol Beginnings.
Importantly, the experience was shared. Rozanna, currently building her own hospitality skills in Alice Springs, and Saisa, already deeply involved in the family business, were both able to take part. Being there together strengthened not just their skills, but their confidence as a team working in the business. New connections formed during the visit even led to the development of a refreshed logo for Smol Beginnings — a small but meaningful marker of growth.
For a remote, island-based business, simply getting to Cairns can be a major hurdle. With additional support from Esparq to cover accommodation, meals, and local transport, the focus stayed where it mattered: learning, connection, and building momentum.
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