Long before she became the owner of a charming boutique in the heart of Yackandandah, North East Victoria, Karen’s life looked very different.

For 15 years, she and her husband, Jed, raised their four children on a remote cattle station in the Kimberley.

Spanning more than a million acres of rugged Australian wilderness, it was a place of endless horizons, dramatic storms, relentless heat, crocodiles and, of course, snakes – more snakes than she ever imagined possible.

Living in such an isolated corner of the country had never been part of her plan. At the time, she was teaching on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula when a holiday to Darwin unexpectedly changed the course of her life. There, she met Jed, whose career in the cattle industry had taken him to some of Australia’s most remote locations, including a research station in the Northern Territory.

What began as a chance meeting soon became a completely different way of life. Drawn to the adventure, the freedom and the untamed beauty of the Top End, she embraced a world unlike anything she had ever known.

Eventually, however, family priorities shifted. As their eldest child approached high school, the limited schooling options in such a remote location made it clear that it was time for a change.

After much discussion – and, as she jokes, with a little more convincing on her part than anyone else’s – the family decided to head south in search of a new chapter.

Curiously, several unrelated people recommended the same tiny mountain town: Yackandandah. It seemed almost too perfect, offering everything they had been hoping for – beautiful mountain scenery, a vibrant arts and music scene, a strong sense of community and excellent schools nearby.

So, in their late forties, they took another leap of faith. They packed their four children, Dusty the dog and everything they could fit into a camper trailer, left their jobs behind and set off without a house or new employment waiting for them.

Although the first year brought plenty of challenges as they adjusted back to mainstream life, everything gradually fell into place. Looking back, it was a risk well worth taking.

Owning a boutique had always been one of her dreams. She initially launched an online store, but it didn’t take long to realise what she missed most was the connection with people. She wanted to create a place where customers could browse, chat and discover beautiful pieces in person.

As it turned out, fate had other plans.

While browsing a rarely opened antique shop on Yackandandah’s historic main street – a heritage-listed building full of warmth and character – she casually asked the owner, “You’re not thinking of renting this place out anytime soon, are you?” To her surprise, the answer was yes.

That chance conversation became the beginning of Vivienne Cate’s permanent home. That was a number of years ago now.