PALOMA Profiles: Lia Townsend
Lia Townsend, is a woman after our own hearts. She does it all, with such grace, and her signature is in creating beauty. Read with us on PALOMA Profiles of this woman who is a mother, employed in her day-job, also building a flourishing business that is growing on the side, that will lure you with its beauty and spruik a delectable appetite.
A special gift for you, just in time for Father’s Day, as you continue to read this interview, where Lia shares with PALOMA her delectable Italian Breakfast Cake. You can thank us later… enjoy!
Stories to Gather is such a beautiful, connection-evoking and aesthetic driven business that appeals to the senses. Congratulations on the early success. Can you share more with us where this business vision started, how you created a community offering that has attracted community engagement and what your purpose is with the vision of this business?
Thank you! It has been four years since I started on this journey which was really inspired by my love for food and bringing people together. Fortunately, I have a family that encouraged me to follow my passion which ultimately led me to create Stories to Gather. Designing hampers and grazing tables that are specific to individual clients and celebrations is at the core of my business. It can be a deeply personal process and I think that level of personalisation, combined with my own signature creative vision, has helped me find success and build a community. My purpose has always been using food to bring people together; what I create often becomes part of my client’s most treasured memories and I feel honoured that Stories to Gather allows me to do that everyday.
As an entrepreneur and business owner, how has the journey of initiation been for you in bringing this business to life? What words of wisdom would you share to any other business owner at the earlier stages of their business journey, or someone with an aspiring vision they want to bring to the world?
Don’t let YOU get in your own way. I was the one holding myself back for the fear of failure. Give it a go! You grow and learn and it’s all the learnings that shape you and your lens on the world.
At PALOMA, the idea of ‘SELF’ is a core pillar to our brand, our service, and our community. What does ‘Self Care’ mean to you? How do you take care of yourself, and what are your ‘Self-Love’ practices and rituals? Particularly in managing the balance of being self-initiated in running your own business?
Since becoming a mother and balancing a corporate career, building Stories to Gather has become the ultimate form of self-care for me. Stories to Gather is my creative outlet and has allowed me to focus on something that I’m truly passionate about.
Juggling all three is not easy! But being fortunate enough to have a space of my own to create, to collaborate and to connect with people has been amazing and incredibly fulfilling. Smaller rituals that I practice include having chamomile tea with Pearl superpowder (from Par Olive) before a face cleanse and a shower in the evening. Between a toddler, my day-job and building a business, I find appreciating those moments of quiet and taking pleasure in the simple things always help to make me feel good.
Beyond a hair salon, PALOMA is a ‘Wellbeing Destination’ - we believe by investing and taking care of yourself - your wellbeing, you create the space to be the best version of yourself. What does ‘Wellbeing’ mean to you? How do you cultivate this state within your life?
Wellbeing to me is the balance of how my body, mind, and soul are feeling. I try to make sure I do something every day to look after each element, like taking the first 10 or so minutes each day to hug, hold and listen to my son. Having the confidence to follow my passion every day has had such a positive impact on my personal wellbeing, particularly as I navigate my sense of self as a woman and a mother.
How would you describe yourself and who you are, what you stand for, what you value in life, outside of your business, so we can share your authentic self with the PALOMA community?
My name is Lia, and I am the heart and hands of Stories to Gather, a boutique events, grazing and hamper brand, that brings together passionate artisans in carefully curated and luxurious offerings.
Inclusivity is a huge pillar of the PALOMA brand - from a societal perspective, what does ‘Inclusivity’ mean to you? What hopes and wishes do you have for the future to invite a more inclusive society?
My biggest passion is celebrating occasions that bring people together to create shared moments and memories. I was inspired to create Stories to Gather because of the way I have seen how food can create connections. I love that food is a universal language, and hope that as a society we can continue to use it to help learn from and understand each other.
We love Mother Earth, and as a salon, are activists for ‘Sustainability’. What is your personal connection to ‘Mother Nature’? What does ‘Sustainability’ mean to you, and what practices do you incorporate in your life (or your business) to support this cause?
Operating a business that is environmentally sustainable is really important to me and I’ve always tried to be as conscious as possible when it comes to shopping. I like to shop vintage or natural materials, particularly homewares and items that I use to style grazing tables. I recently opened Casa di Stories to Gather, a private event space that can be rented for intimate events and most of the furnishings are mid-century/vintage pieces that I’ve been able to give a new home to. Being in the food industry, I also always try to support local producers and artisans. I’m a firm believer in appreciating seasonality and understanding where our food comes from.
Lastly, of course we have to ask. Who does your hair at PALOMA Salon, what do you get done, and what hair products do you use?
I have been seeing Paloma for around 8 years for my haircuts and we have gone through many iterations from fringes to bobs. Her advice, care and insights (not just with my hair but a whole range of life issues) has always been invaluable to me. Josh adds some depth to my colour with some natural chocolate brown baby lights.
I have been using a lot of Oribe products. Including their Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil and the Moisture & Control Shampoo and Conditioner. The perfect combination for healthy hair! I also love the PEARL Marine Collagen Superpowder by Par Olive. It helps keep my hair and skin in great condition.
Whilst you have the attention of our beautiful community, is there any message you would like to share - personally or professionally? We would love to hear!
Be kinder to yourself.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights, wisdom and self with us!
Love the PALOMA Community.
Follow us on @paloma_salon for behind the scenes and other PALOMA Profiles to come.
Keep in touch and follow Lia’s Journey @stories_to_gather
Lia’s favourite products:
Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
This luxuriously light oil absorbs instantly to restore hair to its prime. Infused with a rich blend of jasmine, edelweiss flower, lychee, sandalwood, cassis, bergamot and argan extracts, each protective drop penetrates the hair to deeply condition, strengthen and smooth—imparting intense nourishment and incredible shine. Works wonders on dry, damaged and color-treated hair.
Oribe’s Moisture & Control Shampoo and Conditioner
A double-working treatment that deeply conditions and smooths hair all at once. Give your bouncing curls the nourishing treatment they deserve with this Moisture & Control shampoo from Oribe. Saturating your hair and scalp with repairing moisture, the cleansing formula is enriched with the brand’s amino acid complex which replicates the proteins found in coarse and thick hair to strengthen and soften cuticles for a polished finish.
Pearl Marine Collagen Superpowder by Par Olive
Experience firm skin, thick hair and strong nails with PEARL Marine Collagen. Our formula is Dermatologist developed, Australian made, MSC Sustainably sourced and hydrolysed down to the lowest molecule weight for maximum absorption (clinically proven achieve over 90% absorption - so your body can actually use it) and stimulate fresh collagen production. Developed to seamlessly integrate into your everyday beauty routine to improve skin elasticity and firmness, reduce fine lines, strengthen nails and support new hair growth.
Available at Paloma Salon.
Credits
Photography: Jay Patel from The 10th Letter | @10thletterau
Makeup: Kim K Pham
Outfits: Lia wears Oroton & Matteau
Italian Breakfast Cake Recipe
Think Italian hotel breakfast, served with espresso.
INGREDIENTS
300g sugar
Zest 2 lemons & 1 orange (you can vary the proportions to taste and substitute for other citrus you have on hand)
3 eggs, at room temperature
250g ricotta
120g greek yogurt
100ml extra virgin olive oil (delicate to medium in taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract
190g plain flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
Oil to grease the tin (spray oil, vegetable oil or softened butter will all work)
Icing sugar for garnish (optional)
MAKE THE CAKE
Preheat the oven to 170°C (fan-forced) and grease/line your baking tin.
In a large bowl, rub the sugar and zest together with your fingers to release citrus oils.
Add the eggs, ricotta, greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil & vanilla extract in the bowl and whisk to combine.
Gently whisk or fold in the flour and baking powder until it is incorporated. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin. Bake until the cake is golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, approximately 45-60 mins.
Once it has cooled slightly, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, place on a serving stand and finish the cake with a dusting of icing sugar. Enjoy!
Notes: cooking time will vary depending on your oven and the type of tin used. I have used a 7 inch bundt tin, but you can also use a loaf tin, an 8 inch round tin, or bake it as muffins and adjust the cooking time.