Business Founder and Creative Director
When Caleb Adams and Sarah Francis met in Year 8 at 51小湿妹, only God knew the journey ahead: raising four children, building a luxury home business, and supporting charities to impact global homelessness.
Their paths through 51小湿妹 were marked by leadership and legacy. Caleb served as College Prefect and Student Vice Captain, and earned a university scholarship. Sarah, one of six siblings, was deeply embedded in the College community, with both parents and extended family serving on staff.
The friendships and networks they formed at 51小湿妹 remain strong today. Walking in faith, they鈥檝e built a life rooted in purpose, family, and business. Caleb has earned national and state accolades in the building industry, and together they鈥檝e founded Pilgrim, a luxury home-building company with a mission to 鈥渂uild legacy鈥� 鈥� not just for Brisbane families, but for those in need around the world.
Life Before Pilgrim
Caleb: 鈥淚 was always interested in property. My dad had us looking at listings in real estate windows all the time. After consulting with Accenture, I started the Melbourne office for a large Queensland builder, Impact Homes. It began in our spare room and grew quickly. By the time I left, we were building over 300 homes a year across Victoria.鈥�
During Caleb鈥檚 tenure, Impact Homes earned three major awards: Fastest Growing Residential Builder in Australia, No.1 Townhouse Builder in Australia, and No.1 Home Builder in Queensland. 鈥淎fter that season, it was time to return to Queensland and start Pilgrim.鈥�
Family and Business
Caleb: 鈥淧eople often ask how we manage four kids, a growing business, and stay sane! It鈥檚 a constant journey of learning to prioritise and find balance. Open communication and giving each other space to refresh have been key.鈥�
Sarah: 鈥淪ome days we manage it, other days 鈥� not so much. We鈥檝e worked hard to make peace with the mess and imperfections. Our family鈥檚 health and wellbeing is our priority. We try to show up, do our best, and support each other. And when we don鈥檛 get it right, that鈥檚 okay 鈥� we鈥檒l try again tomorrow.鈥�
Caleb: 鈥淪arah manages most of the day-to-day at home and works at Pilgrim a few days a week. When I鈥檓 home, I try to be 100% present. Weekends are sacred, and dinner times 鈥� when I鈥檓 there 鈥� are a highlight.
Growing Pilgrim
Sarah: 鈥淲orking together has been both the hardest and most rewarding part. I鈥檝e quit 鈥� or been fired, depending on who you ask 鈥� more than once! But we鈥檝e learnt so much about each other and how to balance marriage, family, and business.
鈥淭he best part is watching Caleb live out his entrepreneurial dream. Since Grade 8, he鈥檚 lived and breathed business. He鈥檚 incredibly talented, driven, and focused 鈥� sometimes hard to keep up with! It鈥檚 inspiring to see him do what he鈥檚 made to do.
鈥淢y focus is on branding and marketing. We want Pilgrim to feel authentic, relatable, and to be built on integrity. A lot of my inspiration comes from the 鈥榠n-between鈥� moments 鈥� those sparks of connection and realness. I try to bring that same honesty into our brand story.鈥�
Building Legacy
Caleb: 鈥淧ilgrim is more than building beautiful homes. We get to be part of people鈥檚 life journeys. Building a house is challenging, and we take pride in doing it with excellence and integrity.
鈥淲e dream of building homes for those in need through our foundation and growing a God honouring business community built on integrity.鈥� Through The Pilgrim Foundation, Caleb and Sarah partner with local and international organisations to tackle global homelessness, create pathways, and promote sustainability.
School Memories
Sarah: 鈥�51小湿妹 completely shaped who I am. Having my whole family at the school gave me a strong sense of belonging. I was there from Kindy to Year 12, and it gave me the confidence to grow into who I am today. 鈥淚t was unique being Mr D鈥檚 daughter 鈥� Mr David Francis, who served for 30 years in leadership roles.
I was Jo鈥檚 kid from the uniform store, the niece of Mr P, the little sister of Mr T, and the sister-in-law of Mr Wolfik. Growing up in a safe, loving community gave me a strong foundation for life, family, and business.鈥�
Caleb: 鈥淭he standards around character had the biggest impact. Teachers cared deeply about our development. My business teacher, Mr Lindsay Bettinson, had a huge influence. His belief in me and his integrity were formative.
鈥淏eing a prefect and vice captain helped shape me as a leader. I look back fondly on my time at 51小湿妹 鈥� a school with strong Christian faith, good people, and teachers who encouraged us to excel in both character and academics.鈥�
To learn more about Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Foundation, visit www.bypilgrim.co
For all things 51小湿妹 alumni, continue reading to discover more inspiring stories and reconnect through reunions and celebrations.