Hi, I’m Karolina!
I was born in Poland, but Sydney has been my home for over 20 years now. Moving to Australia was the most challenging yet rewarding decision I’ve ever made, giving me the chance to build a life here and offer my daughter the opportunity to grow up in a country full of possibilities.
For the last three years, I’ve dedicated my life to our family, cherishing those precious early moments with my little daughter Milla while supporting my husband in running his business. It’s been a journey full of challenges, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
This year, I took a leap to empower myself and start my own independent business – Welcome Home Finance. I’m passionate about guiding families on their property journey, whether it’s purchasing their first home or expanding their investment portfolio. Every journey is unique, and I take pride in creating personalised solutions to help people reach their goals and make life a little easier.
Helping others and making people happy has always been my biggest motivation – nothing feels better than hearing a heartfelt thank you. I’m excited to now share my knowledge and support families in achieving their goals.
Where and how long have you lived in Sydney’s east?
I’ve spent most of my time in Sydney living in the Eastern Suburbs, with some of my fondest memories from our time in Little Bay. It’s where we expanded our family to five, including my beautiful stepson and our rescue dog Shaggy.
Three words that describe what it’s like to live in the eastern suburbs?
diverse, vibrant, coastal
How many children?
I have a wonderful stepson, who I’ve been lucky to know since he was three and is now 11, my cheeky three-year-old daughter Milla, and our rescue dog Shaggy.
Favourite Park?
We love Sydney Park for its kids’ bike park, playground, and dog-friendly atmosphere, plus a dog-friendly cafe—it’s the perfect spot for the whole family to enjoy together. Centennial Park is also a favourite of ours for bike rides and outdoor fun.
Favourite Beach?
I love Congwong Beach for its calm, shallow waters — perfect for little ones. Little Bay and Malabar are also beautiful spots to enjoy with the family.
Favourite kids friendly cafe?
I don’t have one favourite place since we love exploring different spots in the area. However, some of our go-to spots include Boatshed in La Perouse, which is near the beach and a playground where the kids can run around, Centennial Homestead with its spacious grassy areas and nearby playground, and seasonally, Grounds of Alexandria, known for its beautiful decor.
Favourite Coffee Spot?
My favourite coffee spot is at home in the early morning hours when everyone else is still sleeping. I enjoy making it myself and savouring a quiet moment of “me time” before the world wakes up.
Favourite date night place?
With our busy lives balancing both businesses and kids, our favourite date night now is ordering takeout and enjoying it at home while the kids sleep. Before we had kids, we lived in Bellevue Hill and loved strolling to Bondi Beach, where we’d randomly pick a restaurant to dine at. I’m a huge fan of Japanese food, but nothing beats a delicious plate of Italian pasta.
Where in the east have you yet to explore and would like to go?
I’d love to explore more nature walks around the Eastern Suburbs, like the Rose Bay to Watsons Bay walk and the Henry Head walking track near La Perouse.
What would you like to see improve in the eastern suburbs?
I’d love to see more free parking and dog-friendly nature walks or off-leash beaches. It’s wonderful to be outdoors, but I always feel guilty when I can’t include my furry baby in family activities.
Favourite Local Shop?
Our favourite spot is Acai D.Bowls in Bondi Beach—their acai bowls with peanut butter are the best!
Favourite wet weather location?
On rainy days, we like to plan a shopping trip—you can’t go wrong with that! Alternatively, we enjoy bowling or visiting an indoor playground like Vitaland in Alexandria.
Favourite Local family Weekend Activity?
Our favourite family weekend activity is driving to Bondi Beach for our go-to Acai D.Bowls, followed by a stroll through the Bondi local markets. We might sneak in a bike ride at Centennial Park, depending on our fitness levels for the day. Then we head to Sushi Train in Maroubra for lunch or an early dinner, and finish the day with a cozy movie night at home.
Work or SAHM?
I dedicated myself to being a stay-at-home mum when my daughter was young, and I truly cherished that time with her. I then continued to care for our family full-time while helping my husband run his business. Since the beginning of this year, I felt ready to pursue something for myself. I now balance family life and business while carving out time to focus on what I love. It feels really rewarding to focus on both my family and my clients
Motherly advice?
Life is too short—enjoy every moment and focus on what truly matters to you. Everyone will have their opinions on what kind of mother you are and what you’re doing, but if it feels right for you, trust your instincts. There’s no one better for your children than you. Finding time for myself was something I struggled with, so my advice is to prioritize your own needs too. The better you feel, the better your family will feel. We can be the best moms to our kids while still making time for our little “me time.”
For more local mum interviews visit: www.easternsuburbsmums.com.au
