Shahna Smith grew up in Broken Hill, a dusty town in regional New South Wales that clings to the border of South Australia. The inland location meant childhood memories of travelling to Adelaide for holidays around Kadina and the coastal suburb of Glenelg stayed strong. So after a move to Melbourne as an adult failed to provide the lifestyle balance she was seeking, Smith looked to Adelaide.
“I just love that you’ve got the city, but [also] the option to switch off from that and go out into the suburbs or to the beach and unwind,” says Smith. “In places like Melbourne, you don’t really get that – it’s just constantly ‘Go, go, go!’ and people [are] everywhere.”
A proud Ngarrindjeri woman, Smith launched make-up business Ssmith Artistry in 2018 before going on to found her own beauty brand, Amplified Beauty. Focused primarily on waterproof and Australian-made matte lipsticks, the Amplified Beauty pop-up store is where Smith spends most of her time – juggling sales and Zoom meetings, as well as Saturday make-up applications for Ssmith Artistry. Otherwise, you might find her speaking at events, such as the recent Forbes Australia Women’s Summit in Sydney, or travelling overseas for other work-related projects. The current focus for Smith is increasing the current number of stockists and expanding the brand’s reach.
When she’s not working, Smith heads to a spot by the ocean in Port Willunga with her partner, Zain, and poodle, Zahla. And she says regular activities like shopping along The Parade in Norwood, getting out to local events such as the annual Adelaide Fringe Festival, and exploring the region’s abundant natural attractions are crucial to her work-life balance.
“We’ve got the wineries, we’ve got the water,” she says of her adopted home. “We’ve got everything, really.”
We asked Smith for a glimpse into her busy day – and the local spots that help her power through.
Morning:
Usually Smith’s day starts with a half-hour walk along Christies Beach, accompanied by Zahla. “[Christies Beach] is quite underrated, but I find that appealing,” says Smith. “Depending on what time you go, you might spot a few dolphins – especially early in the morning.”
Smith says she skips breakfast most days, opting instead for a coffee to fuel up. She’ll grab her first cappuccino with two sugars on the morning walk, followed by a second at Cibo Espresso, which is conveniently located around the corner from Amplified Beauty, overlooking the Skyline Wheel and Glenelg Jetty.
Midday:
On weekends Smith likes to stay south, hitting up the rustic Goodness Coffee Co on Aldinga’s Old Coach Road for lunch. “As you go further down [the coast], the water gets more beautiful and there’s this little hidden cafe where you can sit out the back in a beautiful garden,” she says.
When she’s at work, the commitments of running her own business mean lunch is either another coffee or a build-your-own loaded potato from Mr Potato. If there’s some downtime, Smith tries to lock in a moment of self-care. That might mean getting to her hairstylist, Yovanka Loria, in Seaton for a refresh, or having a massage at Siam Retreat in the city or North Adelaide. “It brings me back to reality,” she says.
Night:
Whether it’s a date night, dinner with friends or a post-work drink, Smith usually has one venue on her mind for dinner and drinks. “You will find me at Luciano’s,” she says simply. “Once I love somewhere, I stick to it.”
The modern Italian restaurant looks out over the ocean at Holdfast Shores Marina, making for an idyllic spot to watch the coastal sunset. You might try the bluefin-tonnato campanelle pasta, the Tuscan wild boar and venison sausage, or a pizza with slow-roasted lamb and smoked mozzarella. Smith’s go-to? A bowl of handmade pasta (she opts for a different sauce each time) and a glass of pinot noir from local producer Rileys of Eden Valley.
The pasta theme continues on nights in, with Smith’s chicken pesto pasta a quick and easy favourite. Or if it’s been a particularly hectic day at work, it’s Netflix (she’s currently bingeing Dynasty) and a hot peppercorn beef stir-fry from Christies Thai Cuisine on Beach Road. “It’s so spicy I always need a glass of milk nearby,” says Smith. “But it’s so yummy.”
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with South Australia – A New State of Mind.
