From Gratitude to Growth: The Story of Ana Suárez and the Art of Entrepreneurship in Australia
- LatinOz QLD
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
Some stories are born from carefully laid-out plans; others bloom from small, intimate gestures filled with meaning. Ana Suárez’s story belongs to the second kind, a simple act of love that unexpectedly became the seed of a life-changing journey.
In 2016, Ana and her husband arrived in Brisbane with just $2,000 in their pockets and a suitcase full of dreams. They left behind Venezuela, their careers as systems engineers, and their own entrepreneurial projects, pushed by an economic crisis so severe it could turn $50,000 into $5,000 in the span of a week.
“We weren’t just seeking a new country — we were looking for stability, growth, and the chance to rebuild our lives.”
Ana remembers those first years as a time of learning and adaptation. Twice she tried to start a business, but the language barrier and the lack of a professional network became obstacles. And yet, each attempt carried lessons that would become vital later.
Then came 2020. The world was in lockdown, Ana had just become a mother, and life felt both fragile and full of possibilities. For her husband’s birthday, she decided to prepare a cheese board — a simple way to thank him for his unconditional support during her postpartum recovery. That thoughtful gesture awoke a creative spark she didn’t know existed.
From that moment, Catering by Ana began to take shape, a business where gastronomy meets edible art, where each grazing table is not just food, but an experience designed to delight all the senses.
The QWINBIZ connection
By 2023, Ana’s business was a year old and already validated by happy clients, but she knew it could go further. That’s when she joined QWINBIZ (Queensland Women in Business), a program created to empower migrant women entrepreneurs. This year, QWINBIZ is proudly celebrating its third anniversary, having supported dozens of women from Latin America who, like Ana, are building their futures in Queensland.
QWINBIZ is more than just a business training program. It’s a space for women to strengthen their skills, refine their strategies, connect with mentors, and find a community that understands the unique challenges of starting over in a new country. Participants gain not only technical tools, but also the confidence and support network needed to take bold steps in their entrepreneurial journey.
For Ana, the program was transformative:
“QWINBIZ helped me structure my business, understand how Australians think and invest, and improve my communication and marketing strategy. Even something as simple as learning the difference between platters and catering changed the way I positioned my brand. That insight led me to evolve from Platters by Ana to Catering by Ana and focus on the luxury weddings and private events market.”
A journey worth celebrating
Today, Ana doesn’t just create exquisite grazing tables, she curates experiences that combine flavours, textures, and emotions. Each board is a celebration of life, an expression of gratitude, and a reflection of her belief that food can carry feelings, memories, and dreams.
Her message to other women entrepreneurs is simple yet profound:
“Entrepreneurship is not always linear or easy, but if you’re passionate about your idea, it’s worth pursuing. You’re not alone. Surround yourself with people who add value, who inspire you, and dare to keep growing. Your story matters, and what you are building matters too.”
Ana’s path is just one of many inspiring stories shaped by QWINBIZ over the past three years. Her resilience, creativity, and growth reflect the spirit of a program that empowers migrant women to dream bigger, take bolder steps, and transform their ideas into thriving businesses.
Celebrating Women’s Journeys of Resilience and Success
Across Queensland, dozens of women have walked similar paths, overcoming language barriers, adapting to a new culture, and building businesses that carry both their heritage and their ambition.
It’s these stories, and the community behind them, that we come together to honour at the QWINBIZ 2025 Closing Event.
This free event will take place on Friday, 16 August, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, bringing together participants from all three editions of the program, along with community members, supporters, and guests.
Join us for a morning of inspiration, networking, and celebration, a unique opportunity to meet the women behind the businesses, hear their journeys firsthand, and be part of a vibrant community that champions migrant women entrepreneurs in Queensland.
Congratulations Ana!