During May’s Small Business Month, we were proud to feature local entrepreneurs who are reshaping our region’s economy with creativity, resilience, and heart. One such story came from Rockhampton’s own Kirsty Carvey — the passionate force behind Galactic Donuts.

Originally launched as Pizza Guardians in 2020, Kirsty and her mentor Tom Potter found themselves re-evaluating their model during the peak of COVID-19. Faced with rising costs and shrinking margins, the pair made a bold pivot — transforming their pizzeria into a donut shop in just six days. The result? A sweet success. Galactic Donuts sold 20,000 donuts in their first week and turned a struggling business into a local sensation.

But the journey wasn’t without challenges. In late 2024, Galactic faced a steep downturn — a 60% drop in sales — that tested Kirsty’s resolve. She credits her comeback to sound mentorship, staying true to her mission, and reconnecting with the business community, including the Chamber.

What sets Galactic Donuts apart is not just the product, but the purpose behind it. Kirsty has donated over $100,000 worth of player-of-the-match donuts to local sports and raised $22,500 for Dolly’s Dream. Her new initiatives include custom event donuts and expanding into wholesale – keeping the business agile and visible.

Kirsty’s story is a reminder that small business isn’t just about what you sell, but the community you build along the way. We’re proud to have her as part of Rockhampton’s small business fabric.