Growing up in Perth’s iconic coastal suburb of Cottesloe, Sam Kaye spent many mornings and afternoons enjoying the delicious food from his local hangout – Daisies Cottesloe.
Nestled amongst Cottesloe’s iconic pine trees, Daisies has long been a place where Perth locals and tourists alike gather and make memories over delicious sausage rolls, sandwiches and hot coffee.
But for Sam, Daisies has meant so much more.
At just 10 years old, he landed his first job stocking fridges at Daisies.
Little did he know that years later, he would become co-owner.
Although hospitality was always the dream growing up, the start of Sam’s career took a different turn.
“I always knew that I would somehow end up in hospitality, but like many young kids, I didn’t really know what I was doing,” he said.
“I’ve always been a people person, so I decided to study human resources at Curtin, which I really enjoyed.”
Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management and Management (2009), Sam started his professional career in recruitment at a mining company.
Sam said that while he was hitting career milestones with a top-tier salary, the reality of FIFO life quickly took its toll.
During a time when the industry was buckling under greater uncertainty, Sam found himself entrusted with greater responsibilities.
“My boss was laid off, so I became responsible for making redundancies,” he said.
“You could sense the environment was changing.”
Then, one night, during dinner in the dining hall, everything changed.
Sam had a massive panic attack.
“At the time, I didn’t know what it was, and I convinced myself that I was having a heart attack,” he said.
“That was the eye-opener, and it made me really start to question whether I wanted to be doing this long-term.”
Despite the uncertainty of what he’d do next, Sam decided to hang up his boots.
“I made the decision to get out. I had no plan of what to do afterwards; I just quit and booked a holiday to Bali for a month,’’ he said.
Returning home from Bali, Sam found the clarity to pursue a lifelong dream – and he took the leap into hospitality.
He started a casual job in hospitality, and when the opportunity came up to invest in his beloved childhood café he took the plunge.
“I could’ve gone back to working in the city, but when we found Daisies for sale, that was the push to get into business,’’ he said.
Now operating for more than a decade, Sam and co-owner Pia Prior have hustled to elevate Daisies into so much more than a café – it’s now an Australian experience, complete with merchandise, coffee on wheels and catering services.
But this success hasn’t come without sleepless nights.
“Comparing Daisies in 2015 to where we are now – it’s very different,” he said.
“Initially, we were working 70-hour weeks and doing everything possible to stay afloat.
“It’s only now that we have been able to hire more people.”
Now, the renowned restaurateurs are the owners of The Pantry Group, which consists of seasonal beachside kiosk Ol’ Buoy, The Other Side, Side Piece Deli and, of course, Daisies.
For Sam, succeeding in an industry where most businesses fail isn’t something you can learn in the classroom.
“I’ve always been a hustler, and it’s not a skill you can teach,” she said.
“You must be willing to get your hands dirty, because if you don’t, then how do you expect your staff to do the same?”
For Sam, receiving Western Australia’s 40under40 Awards’ prestigious People’s Choice Award this year was more than just recognition but a testament to his dedicated team who work tirelessly to keep the venues operating for the wider community.
Amongst the craziness of running four cafes, having a life outside of work is something Sam takes very seriously.
“Having a life outside of the business has been so important in its success,” Sam said.
“When I go on break, I always come back with a clearer mind and more motivated.”
Beyond coffee and delicious food, it’s the lasting impression these spaces have on people and the community that keeps Sam moving forward when times get tough.
Providing a welcoming space for the community while helping young people take the first strides in their careers has been one of the most rewarding aspects of running a café.
“When I finished my degree, I envisioned a career in the corporate world, but I’m glad my path took a different direction,” he said.
“Throughout my life, I’ve always been adaptable – I’ve learnt that if it doesn’t work out, change it, and if you don’t like it, get out, because life is too short.”
Sam Kaye, Managing Director and Co-Owner at The Pantry Group Ltd (Daisies Cottesloe, The Other Side, Side Piece Deli & The Ol’ Buoy)
Graduating from Curtin with a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management and Management (2009), Sam started his hospitality career working at Daisies Cottesloe before later becoming the owner of the very store that helped kick-start his professional career. Following a successful stint working in human resources and recruitment for various WA mining companies, Sam decided to take the plunge into hospitality. Now, he is the Co-owner & Managing Director at The Pantry Group Ltd and a recipient of the 2026 WA Business News 40Under40 People’s Choice Award.
