The positivity that radiates from Richmond barista Toni Dunn is contagious, and it is that outlook which has helped her turn a coffee cart into a growing business.
Just weeks ago, Toni took the next step in her journey, a milestone that began two and a half years ago when she took a leap of faith and started working for herself.
Named Trydunn, a mix of her own name and that of her brother Ryan, the business reflects the close support behind the venture.
While working at Raglan Roast, Toni built a loyal following. It was there an opportunity arose when the owner of the land she is now based on encouraged her to believe in herself.
‘There’s all the potential in you as a person. If someone’s going to work for themselves, you could do it.’
That conversation shifted her mindset.
“I personally struggle with a bit of mental health. I naturally think, as we all do sometimes, the negatives before the positives.”
She says losing a good friend to suicide was the push she needed to do something for herself.
“I found a cart, I saved money, got my machines and we all worked as a team to put it together.”
For two years, Toni worked six days a week from her coffee cart based at Queen St’s Tasman Autowash.
She says the initial saving was tough.
“Being strict on myself with my expenditure was hard. But I got taught the difference between my wants and my needs.
“To this day, I’ll look at something and be, like, I want that, but I don’t need that. But for the first two years, whatever I didn’t need, I didn’t buy.”
“I stopped eating takeaways. It was just a whole lifestyle change.”
The business has just taken the next step, leaving the cart behind and moving into a permanent kitted-out space on the site.
Starting her own business was the best decision she has ever made, she says.
And Toni’s ethos remains simple.
“It’s free to be kind, and it’s free to smile, because at the end of the day, when you’re in customer service, half the customers that come in here, that is one of their only social interactions within their day.
“I’d hate for someone to leave here not feeling appreciated, because I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
“And I love what I do.”
