Sylvia Emelda Perera
We live in a world that often celebrates big launches, overnight success and impressive beginnings. But some of the things we are most proud of in life begin very simply.
My own journey with Colombo Kitchen certainly did.
I did not begin with a restaurant empire, a large team or years of experience running restaurants. I began with something much simpler: a love of Sri Lankan food, a passion for hospitality and a belief that the food and flavours I had grown up with deserved to be shared.
I opened my first restaurant at the age of 60. At an age when many people are thinking about slowing down, I decided to begin something completely new.
There were plenty of reasons not to do it. Starting a restaurant is difficult at any age. There are financial pressures, long hours, unexpected problems and an enormous amount to learn. It would have been easy to tell myself that I had left it too late or that I should have started years earlier.
But I have always believed that it is never too late to start something you care about.
Colombo Kitchen began modestly, but my ambitions for what we could create were never small. I wanted to introduce more people to authentic Sri Lankan cooking and the dishes, spices and traditions that meant so much to me. Just as importantly, I wanted our restaurants to represent Sri Lankan hospitality: generous food, genuine warmth and the feeling that every guest is being welcomed into our home.
We built the business gradually. There was no overnight success. There were long days, mistakes, difficult periods and many lessons along the way. But there were also wonderful moments: seeing customers return, watching people discover Sri Lankan food for the first time, building a loyal team and seeing Colombo Kitchen grow beyond anything I had originally imagined.
Today, when I look at what Colombo Kitchen has become, the awards and recognition are wonderful, but they are not what make me most proud.
I am proud that something which started as a dream became a family business. I am proud of the people who work alongside us and have helped us grow. I am proud when customers tell me they feel at home in our restaurants. And I am especially proud that we have been able to share a little piece of Sri Lanka with so many people.
The journey has taught me that small beginnings should never be confused with small ambitions.
Too many people postpone their dreams because they believe they need more money, more experience, better connections or the perfect opportunity. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we are too young, too old or simply not ready.
The truth is that there may never be a perfect time.
You learn by beginning. You become stronger by facing challenges. You gain confidence by taking one step and then another.
We should also be careful not to compare the beginning of our own journey with somebody else’s success. What looks effortless from the outside may have taken years of sacrifice, setbacks and hard work to achieve.
Colombo Kitchen was not created in one moment. It was built through thousands of small decisions, long days and the determination to keep improving.
That is why I believe you do not need a big beginning to create something you are proud of. You simply need the courage to begin and the determination to continue.
Whatever your age or circumstances, never be embarrassed to start small and never believe that you have left it too late.
Dream big, start where you are and give yourself the opportunity to grow.
One day, you may look back at that small beginning and realise it was the most important step you ever took.
