Heart, Hustle & Getting Things Dunn Right

With Whitsunday Businesswoman Lisa Dunn

Lisa Dunn has mastered the art of balancing business and family.

Alongside her husband Sean, Lisa plays an integral role across three local businesses: Irrigear Whitsundays, Dunnrite Plumbing Services, and The Organised Life Whitsundays. Add two young children into the mix, and life is rarely quiet — even though Lisa would happily take a quiet moment when she can get one.

The Dunns’ business journey began with Dunnrite Plumbing Services, launched in 2020. Sean drove the business strategy, while Lisa stepped in alongside him, balancing young children, learning as she went, and navigating the early days of a growing family business. Her focus naturally centred on people, relationships, and culture. It was during this time that she developed her strong belief that staff and customers are the ones who truly drive a business.

“When people feel valued, supported and cared for, everything else follows,” Lisa says.

As the Dunns’ businesses grew and evolved, this people-first mindset remained at the heart of Lisa’s approach.

In 2022, Lisa co-founded The Organised Life Whitsundays with her close friend Alia, inspired by her own experience of how overwhelming modern life can feel. The goal was simple — to help others regain a sense of calm and control in their homes and schedules.

Taking over Irrigear Whitsundays in 2025 marked the next bold step for the Dunns. Lisa refers to this as a career highlight, expressing her gratitude to have inherited an experienced and capable team, who took the transition in their stride.

“Honestly, they make my job easier,” Lisa laughs, “some days they make me look far more organised than I actually am.”

Over the years, the businesses have grown not only in size, but in confidence, systems and culture. One of Lisa’s greatest joys has been watching staff step into new roles, take ownership of their work, and flourish.

“I’m incredibly lucky to work alongside people who are talented, kind and often far more organised than I am,” she says.

“Leading is much easier when you’re surrounded by a great team.”

Lisa’s resilience and adaptability was shaped long before she entered the business world. Born in Zimbabwe, she later lived in the UK before eventually settling in Australia to be close to family here. The presence of old friends drew Lisa to the Whitsundays, but the laidback lifestyle, strong community and family feel, caused her to stay.

Now, with three businesses and two young children, life is rarely quiet. Sharing her home with Sean’s sister and her children, two dogs, a cat, a guinea pig named Cinnamon, and a few fish, the house is basically organised chaos.

“It’s busy both at home and in business,” Lisa explains, “fuelled by lots and lots of coffee — but it’s also full of love and laughter.”

At the core of everything Lisa’s belief is that businesses only succeed because of the people behind them.

“It’s our staff and our customers who truly drive our businesses forward.” Lisa says.

“At the end of the day, I’m just doing my best to juggle motherhood, business, and life, and I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by people who make that possible.”

Describe yourself in three words

Caring. Grounded. Juggling-it-all.

What are your hobbies, passions or interests? What do you do on the weekend?

Outside of work, I’m in full mum mode, trying to slow life down a little, and tackling the never-ending laundry pile. If the house is vaguely tidy and everyone’s fed, I consider it a successful weekend.

irrigearwhitsundays.com

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