Meet The Team behind Wollondilly's Only coworking space
Join us for a chat with Kate, the founder of WorkLife Picton, and her team, Romany and Rachel. Discover why Kate chose Picton as the location for her third WorkLife coworking space and how they’ve created a vibrant community hub designed to boost productivity and foster meaningful connections.
Tell us about yourself?
Kate: I'm a community-focused entrepreneur, a passionate advocate for regional living, an art lover, a festival tragic, a horse rider and a chronic YES - sayer. I'm a mum to three teenagers and a pretty neglectful wife to a delightful easy-going builder husband, who somehow keeps the whole ship afloat. Originally I worked in arts management and fundraising and my passion for community building brought me to create spaces where people can thrive together. I also serve as President of the Berry Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of Flexible Workspace Australia, which advocates for the flexible workspace industry. My work in Wollondilly feels like a natural extension of my commitment to fostering vibrant regional communities.
Tell us about your business?
Kate: WorkLife is more than a workspace; it’s a place where ideas, collaboration, and community come alive. With locations in three regional towns now; Picton, Berry, and Coledale, we aim to support local business, provide a hub for remote workers, and offer flexible meeting spaces for community groups. Our model lets us adapt to our members' unique needs, and we’re deeply invested in each town’s cultural and economic vitality.
Who has been a great influence for you or the business?
Kate: I’m constantly inspired by people who lead with vision and purpose, those that say YES to good things, meaningful things and fun things. I have benefited enormously over the years from some generous mentors in the arts who showed me how creating spaces for connection and creativity can profoundly impact communities; people like gallerist Michael Reid, TEDxSydney Founder Remo Giuffre, Bundanon Trust CEO Deborah Ely and philanthropist and uber connector Louise Walsh. These days my influence comes from my contemporaries; community organisers and advocates like Jess Miller, Councillor at City of Sydney. Locally, I draw energy from other longstanding passionate placemaking business owners like Kim at Hippy Luxe, or our amazing members including Nicole from Iconix Salon and Lachlan from Peters Lawyers. I also draw energy from the collaborative connectors at Wollondilly Women in Business and people like Pania Gregson, the new President of Wollondilly Chamber of Commerce, who work tirelessly to make Wollondilly a thriving, inclusive region.
Why did you choose Wollondilly?
Kate: Wollondilly is special, it has a strong sense of heritage, beautiful landscapes, and a tight-knit community who are up for new things. Our Picton location in the historic Old Post Office Building is a perfect blend of WorkLife’s commitment to innovation whilst celebrating what makes our regional towns’ so special. It’s also incredibly rewarding to help create a space for Wollondilly’s growing community of remote workers, entrepreneurs, and creatives.
What makes your business successful?
Kate: Our success stems from our commitment to each town we serve. By understanding local needs, fostering partnerships, and providing flexible, accessible workspaces, we create genuine value for our members and communities. The ability to create places where people feel they belong is what makes WorkLife work. That and a healthy dose of grit and patience, which is what has been needed to get through the last few years that have been so challenging for so many small businesses.
Romany: It’s the people who make the business - our members, and the WorkLife team!
Rachel: Our community! Our members are the reason we have such a welcoming atmosphere. It’s so interesting getting to know each business, the people and inspiration behind them all. The best part is finding a way to help these businesses through WorkLife in a way that cultivates growth. Sometimes that means they grow too big for us and we love seeing them evolve and become something more than they could imagine.
Are there any other interesting facts about you or your business you would like to share?
Kate: Our brand colour is a sunny egg-yellow and ever since I launched WorkLife I have chosen to dress in yellow every day, it’s not quite a uniform but it is definitely an efficient way for people to recognise you and connect you with your business. I love the colour and now I am known for it; strangers sometimes leave me yellow ceramics or clothes anonymously! It’s such a lovely way to connect with people and the business over a sunny optimistic colour that subliminally communicates so much of what we are here to do.
Proudest Accomplishment?
Kate: I’m sure you are supposed to say raising your three children here, right? But bringing WorkLife Picton to life has been incredibly rewarding, seeing it evolve into a place that supports local people and businesses is a very proud moment for me.
Romany: Without a doubt it was working on the award winning film Lion. I was assistant to the producer, and worked on it for 3 years. We filmed in India, Melbourne and Hobart for 7 months! It was the highest of highs, I couldn't believe the calibre of the people I was working with and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity.
Rachel:
Do you have any new plans for your business you would like to share?
Kate: We’re exploring ways to deepen our community impact, such as expanding our pro bono offerings for not-for-profits and adding programs for education, social impact, and sustainable business practices. My dream is for WorkLife to become a central resource for regional entrepreneurs and communities across NSW. We have an expression of interest in at the moment to become a Regional Study Hub that I’m super hopeful for. On the fun side of things, we have recently applied for a liquor licence, so when the Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre is humming next year we can extend our hospitality and event offerings and bring the building to life on the weekends when the work crowd goes home.
Romany: I’m passionate about creative arts, and with the addition of the new arts centre I'm excited to see how we can grow the arts in the shire.
Rachel: We have some great plans for implementing a calendar of workshops for our community run by local artists. So keep your eye out for fun events like “paint and sip” and so many other options!
Other than your own business, which Dilly business is your favourite?
Kate: I’m a fan of The Hip Joint, our go-to coffee shop right next door. They serve up great coffee, always with a side of good vibes. Their light-filled courtyard is the perfect spot to soak up some sunshine and recharge during a busy day. We’re lucky to have them just a step away from our doors.
Romany: I love Hippy Luxe. Kim is my go-to for gifts, I always find exactly what I need at the last minute and Mowbray Park Produce, Grace is so lovely, makes me feel very much part of the community.
Rachel:
What is a must-see or do in Wollondilly and why?
Kate: I could say the bush walking trails in Picton, but really it’s the adrenaline rushes that I love; Skydiving over Picton is an incredible experience that I cannot wait to repeat with my teenagers. At the moment they are very happy to come to Picton with me to go go-karting at Picton Karting and I LOVE the community events that the Council produces, including Illuminate Festival of Art & Light and BLOOM Garden Expo, which bring the streets to life and give you a real sense of community.
