Karen Hillen // Founder of Hillen PR
Karen Hillen, Founder of Hillen HR
Community and Background:
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to the Coledale community? How did you end up here and what attracted you to this community?
I’ve lived in the Northern Illawarra since 1987 (moved to the Northern Rivers/Gold Coast for a few years – but the Northern Illawarra is home), I’ve loved getting involved locally, including through the Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce. It’s a community where small business owners genuinely back each other.
Business and Entrepreneurship:
Tell us about your work. How and when did you decide to start it, and what motivated you to take the plunge into entrepreneurship or remote work?
I help small business owners look after their people. Contracts, policies, tricky conversations, and all the everyday HR questions that come with having a team. Most of the businesses I work with have between 1 and 100 people and they don’t have an HR person of their own, so I become that person for them.
I started consulting in 2012. Before that I worked in HR in the government.
Going out on my own meant I could build a business around the life I wanted. I can work from anywhere, travel, and be there for my family. That freedom has been just as big a motivator as being able to help businesses with their HR.
What does work-life balance look like for you? How do you manage the demands of work while ensuring time for family and personal life?
I’ve built my business so I can work from anywhere. That gives me the freedom to travel, enjoy life and be there for my family. Some of my favourite moments are picking up the grandkids from school and spending the afternoon with them. I plan my week around my energy, not just my calendar, so work fits around the things that matter most. And when I am working with my clients I can devote 100% of my concentration on what they need.
In your industry, what recent disruptions or transitions have had the most significant impact on your business?
Employment legislation has changed a lot in the last few years. There’s been a steady stream of reforms, from the right to disconnect to tougher rules on underpaying staff. Small business owners are expected to keep up with all of it while running their business. That’s a big part of why I do what I do. AI is the other one. It’s changing how people find HR information, but it can’t replace knowing your team and handling things fairly.
Personal Life:
Outside of work, what are your hobbies and passions? How do you like to spend your time when you’re not focused on business or family?
Spending time with family and friends is top of the list. I love heading to the beach, travelling and seeing live music whenever I can. I also sponsor the Northern Suburbs Bulldogs football team so I like to get to their games when I can.
Are there any books or podcasts you’ve found particularly inspiring or informative recently? Any recommendations for the WorkLife community?
I love Denise Duffield-Thomas’s podcast, Chill and Prosper. It’s a refreshing take on running a business without burning yourself out.
Books:
Atomic Habits – James Clear
Good to Great – Jim Collins
The Kindness Revolution – Hugh Mackay
The Let Them Theory – Mel Robbins
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – Robert Cialdini
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine – Mike Michalowicz
The Ideal Team Player: A Leadership Fable About the Three Essential Virtues – Patrick M. Lencioni
Start With Why – Simon Sinek
The E-Myth: Why Most Businesses Don’t Work and What To Do About It – Michael E. Gerber
How do you maintain boundaries between work and personal life? Any top tips?
I’m still working on this one. When you work for yourself and you’re the only one in the business, the lines can blur. But I always make time for my family. And make sure I have time out
Top tip: I put everything in my calendar – and make sure I put personal time in there too.
Home and Lifestyle:
What do you like/appreciate about the design at WorkLife? Any favourite touches or things that make you feel at home when you are at work?
The Community, and the way the space has been designed.
If you were to showcase the best of the local lifestyle to visiting friends, where would you take them and why?
Any of the beaches but Wombarra is my first choice 🙂 and there are so many great places to go to for lunch or dinner.
Productivity and Time Management:
What’s your go-to productivity hack? How do you stay organised and efficient, especially with multiple responsibilities?
I couldn’t do without my calendar to keep track of what I’m doing, and I love trying out the latest technology.
Benefits of WorkLife Membership:
Lastly, what’s been the most valuable aspect of being a member at WorkLife for you and your work?
The community and a place to go to stay focused.
