Meet Sally Patti: Photographer / Graphic designer / Restaurant Owner ~ Lilium

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sally Patti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sally, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process with my business Lilium was and still is incredibly complex, a journey of trying to overcome doubt and risk with knowledge that what I was trying to accomplish was right and was my path. My business partner and I wanted to create something that purely represents ourself all the while hoping others would resonate with it. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art for years jumped from photography to graphic design, retail, print design, cooking, catering, buying and selling vintage… I had my energy dispersed into so many genres from fashion to music to food but I was always seeking more knowledge more skills. I always thought maybe my career was a mess, a jack of all trades master of none kind of chaos, until I started Lilium. Lilium is a cafe / general store and we just opened our natural wine cellar and we have our own brand out. it’s an embodiment of everything I do and love. It’s been the biggest challenge and the greatest reward. At times I walk into lilium so run down, feeling like I’m going to collapse from exhaustion, trying to hold it together and be there for my staff, grease all over me from being in the kitchen for days, overwhelmed with stress and legitimately cursing myself for taking all of this on. Then all of a sudden a customer will come to me, with love and joy in their eyes and express how much they love Lilium, how it’s helped them and inspired them. That feeling of negativity goes away and I am filled with gratefulness. Knowing that I have touched someone with my work is what pushes me to continue and to expand.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would say some hinterland waterfalls, then Lilium for lunch followed by eltham pub. The rest is a secret.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my business partner Rose, @scorpionwitch_ always beside me, always on the same vision.

Website: Liliumlove.com
Instagram: @sallypatti
Other: My personal site Sally patti.com Lilium instagram @liliumandlove