COMMUNE Waterloo
In 2016, I EXPANDED COMMUNE INTO two adjoining industrial warehouses on Bourke Street, Waterloo. THE combined 4,000m2 site with a shared lane way WAS transformed into one of Sydney’s most sought-after creative precincts.
With 12 distinct bookable spaces, the venue quickly became a destination for large-scale events, exhibitions, brand activations and commercial shoots. The client roster spanned global brands including Samsung, Nike, Adidas, Google, IKEA, Levi’s, Puma, Red Bull, Fanta, Vans and VICE, alongside major cultural partners such as Vivid and The Other Art Fair. Commercial revenue from these bookings enabled me to subsidise space for community groups, independent artists and charities, embedding a sustainable cross-subsidy model that balanced commercial success with cultural impact.
I stepped away from freelance work to focus entirely on scaling the business. I personally oversaw hundreds of bookings, managed day-to-day venue operations, led a 12-month Development Application process with City of Sydney, handled compliance, insurance and licensing requirements, built strategic partnerships, and recruited and led a team of six full-time staff. By 2019, the business was generating $1.1 million in annual turnover, achieved through lean operations and disciplined cost management.
