Professionals Serendipity 
The quirkily named Why Hello There is the latest store on Gallery Walk to have its journey jumpstarted by a beginning in Tamborine Mountain’s famous markets. A new venue for the creatives who often showcase their wares in these renowned events (with a special emphasis on their personally handmade macrame), Kylie Connor and her daughter Anecia are eager to share their craft, and others’, with the walk— and with us today.
by Kyle Hitchmough
How long have you owned Why Hello There?
We’ve been doing the market run with the macrame, and the business has evolved in the last 7 years. Our favourite market was always the Tamborine Country Market up here, and I’ve always had a magnetic draw to the mountain because it’s so beautiful. I’ve been looking for about two years to have a business up here on Gallery Walk, and we finally made it happen 8 weeks ago.
For those who might not be familiar, could you explain what it is you offer here?
We’re a collective of creatives. I’ve met many creative people doing the market run over the years, so it’s a collaboration of those coming together. It’s a bohemian vibe of creativity. It’s enabling them to have a platform to sell from within a shop rather than just doing the market run, so it’s another avenue of sales for them.
What kinds of items do you stock here?
We have an eclectic range of macramé. I like to call it “knots, pots and rocks”. We’ve pulled in together so many bits and pieces, but it’s mostly homewares and energy-related crystals. All the macrame in here is handmade by me, and my daughter makes her own items as well. We’ve got everything from plant hangers to macra weaves to toilet roll holders and hat hangers, which are insanely popular! We collect our branches from local beaches, taking a piece of natural earth and then create it into our art. We want to give thanks back to the native people of the land. The range will change over time because there’s short leasing opportunities for a lot of creatives. I want the artists who come in here to make and create, that’s the point of difference.
What was the inspiration for the name?
‘Why Hello There’ came to me in a yoga session. It’s a little bit cheeky, a little bit welcoming, and it’s just enticing people in and down the driveway, because it’s a bit of a difficult location to drag people in.
Do you have any notably popular or bestselling items?
No! The pots could be the biggest seller on one particular day, and on the next it’s the rocks. They all cohesively work together because I didn’t stock pots until I needed to find a range that would go within my macrame. That’s where we came up with the wooden pots, and it’s just become part of our brand, so to speak, very natural, earthy elements.
What goes into the average day here for you?
My average day would be setting up this beautiful patio each morning— and pulling it in every night! Just meeting the most amazing tourists and locals and asking them where they’re from, where they’ve been… I also didn’t realise I was going to become a tourist operator, giving them advice on the local area and what to do while they’re up here! And giving advice on earthly mindfulness as well, because it’s about taking time for yourself, self-nurturing. You’re making your home beautiful, you’re making your space beautiful, and therefore it creates a beautiful mind.
Have you noticed any particular trends in your clientele?
No, it’s such an eclectic taste. You’ve got a lot of nostalgia coming from the older generations, with macrame having been done in the 1970s and making its comeback but the younger generation coming through really embrace that earthiness into their home as well.
Are you a local? What’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
I’m from Yarrabilba. The community is fantastic! There’s been a lot of change here in recent times from what I’ve learned, so we’ve got a lovely new fresh energy coming in. We’ve got a few new businesses on the street here that are really giving it a beautiful, positive vibe. I think after COVID we’ve got that natural comeback and the tourists are rolling back in again. It’s so supportive, and I love the earthiness. Anybody who moves to the mountain has the want to make this place a beautiful community. It’s brilliant. I’d love to live up here.
Do you have any personal favourite things to do on the mountain?
Waterfalls, for sure! How lucky are we to live twenty minutes away from such beautiful scenery, bushland, and natural habitat? The waterfall chase, and the bushwalk, and I love the Tamborine Country Market! The market vibes that you get up here, it’s just a relaxing weekend. It’s got to be on your to-do list.
What do you think Why Hello There really provides to the area?
It’s a place where local creatives can showcase their talent, because we have a lot of hidden local talent, and we don’t often have a space where we can come and see them and immerse ourselves in that creativity. The wow factor that people experience when they walk into my store has been enough to think “I am providing something here.” Of course, we’ll be doing workshops here in the future, so it is going to create a space where people can come and learn and immerse themselves in the meditative creation of macrame.
What do you enjoy most about doing this?
Being able to create! And to meet beautiful people who appreciate local artisan-made goods.
What’s been your most memorable moment in your time here?
I’m just overwhelmed with the amount of local support. When we first opened, we thought it would be really tough just before Christmas because we don’t have too much tourist trade coming through in early December. But the locals were coming out and giving such positive feedback that it made my journey through that tough opening period really, really enjoyable and enhanced my positivity towards it.
Why Hello There
130 LONG RD, TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN QLD 4272
We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, email your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com
