Lured across Bass Strait by bush and beach in equal measure, a natural creative has found her happy place in mid-town Hobart.

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Where did you grow up and how did you end up here, at the bottom of the world?

I grew up in Wollongong, 90 minutes south of Sydney, where I spent a lot of time on the golden sands of North Beach. My grandmother Dot taught me to crochet when I was about eight years old – a lifelong pastime that is now a cornerstone of my gift store and class program. The lure of Tasmania was about living in a small city that had both the bush and the beach on its doorstep. Twenty years later, I consider myself a local, though I’m uncertain of the criteria!

You opened your beautiful gift shop Lily & Dot almost a decade ago. What were you doing before that?

I graduated from the University of Sydney, where I studied art history and later worked in art museum marketing. With a background in PR and sales, and an almost compulsive creative urge, it was a natural progression to open a gift store that celebrates handmade, and builds community through our strong repeat customer base. Becoming my own boss was also refreshing after working in bureaucracy in various events and communications roles in local, state and federal government throughout my career.

What inspired the founding of Lily & Dot?

Lily & Dot is named after my late grandmothers, who taught me embroidery and crochet – traditional “lady crafts” that have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. The concept is that you can buy a baby gift, as well as something for the mum (and something for yourself). We also leveraged the visitor boom with a strong Tasmania-made focus. Friends were asking me to teach them to crochet and, with the market growth for customer experiences, we opened with an in-store class program that has been continuously sold-out for more than nine years.

As a small business owner-operator, what makes doing business in Tasmania so special?

Community. The community-building that arises around our many repeat customers and precinct neighbours is almost organic in a small place like Tasmania. We have watched our customers’ children grow – and welcomed new ones – and shared in their joys and milestones over the course of almost a decade. Friendships have been forged with customers and neighbours who share news of hatches, matches and dispatches over the counter. We often remark that our customer interactions over time are a bit like those you might have at the hairdresser (just without the head massage!)

You're also a real advocate for the Midtown Hobart precinct. Why is this part of lutruwita/Hobart so important to you?

Coining the term ‘Midtown’ was initially rather tongue-in-cheek and happened over a few drinks at a neighbouring bar (we tossed out ‘MidHo’ and ‘Lower NoHo’), but quickly gained traction as a place branding strategy, so potential customers could locate us midway between the CBD and North Hobart. When government and real estate agents started using the term in their advertising, we knew it had stuck! It never ceases to bring me joy when I see it used ‘in the wild’.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

A day in the life of a small business owner is never dull! I’m simultaneously a customer service manager, buyer, visual merchandiser, social media strategist, HR manager, IT consultant and accountant (okay, that last one is a stretch – I engage a professional who does a much better job than I ever could!). Living and working in a smaller city is wonderful, because I can walk to work and be bushwalking before dusk.

What are three must-dos for every visitor to Hobart?

Go off Broadway. Hobart is so much more than just Salamanca. Head to Midtown, where the locals shop, wine and dine. My current favourite Midtown haunt is the cosy Molto Wine Bar on Melville St.
Go bush. I love the myriad of bushwalks we have within a stone’s throw of the city, such as Knocklofty Reserve, the Hobart Rivulet and The Springs (en route to kunanyi / Mt Wellington), where I can immerse myself in nature’s sights, sounds and scents. So good for the soul.
Treat yourself. A luxe stay-cay at The Tasman is hard to beat, with unparalleled service and the best restaurant breakfast I’ve ever had.

Where are your favourite haunts for eats and drinks, either in Hobart or elsewhere in Tassie?

Trophy Room or Ogee, both in North Hobart, for lunch or dinner. Come for the food, stay for the service.
On sunny days, a knock-off drink on the upstairs deck at The Crescent Hotel in North Hobart is my favourite wind-down.
Bicheno’s Governörs for a local tipple and the best cheeseburgers in Tasmania, and the nearby Le Coq, a French-inspired bistro with a dynamic menu using local produce.
Overland Brewers and Distillers, North Hobart’s newest craft brewery and whisky bar.
Tinka, Launceston, for breakfast when we’re visiting the tropical north.

Where do you get away to for a Tasmanian staycation?

Sunny Bicheno, just over 2 hours’ drive from Hobart via the glorious east coast. I’ll never tire of that vista opening up as you drive north – looking across the water to The Hazards and Wineglass Bay. Having grown up on the beach, retreating to ‘the shack’ is my restorative, energising, happy place.

Describe your perfect Sunday in Tassie.

Waking up on the east coast to the sound of waves, having a leisurely brunch on the deck and poring over the weekend papers before a beach stroll.

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Q&A: Katinka Dineen