Another side of…

Steve Dillon,

The Wooden Spoon

What interests/hobbies do you have outside of work? Talk to us about the work you do and your business?

Along with food and coffee of course, reading has always been a great passion. Since my teens I’ve been putting together a book collection of Irish fiction and modern first editions. I’ve built a home library to display them and I have both my sons’ names engraved in the shelves so I’m hoping that both the bookcases and the collection will be passed down from this generation to future generations. Our family business is The Wooden Spoon Cafe in Blackrock village in South Dublin, run by myself, my twin sister Kate and our mother Mary. As we are obsessed with food and coffee, our aim hasn’t changed in over a decade, to take the best Irish and local ingredients and bring happiness to people through our food, baking and speciality coffee. We’re so lucky to have so many lovely customers in the neighbourhood and beyond who have made a visit to us a big part of their daily lives.

Why does reading interest you?

I got my love of reading as a kid from my Dad, and always wanted my own collection of favourite books in a home library to read and share. I was lucky enough to have a very enjoyable career as a bookseller in Melbourne and Dublin before entering the family business, The Wooden Spoon Cafe in Blackrock, so I had access to great books and authors.

Do you have an interesting story about reading?

Once I was sitting outside a Dublin pub reading a book by a world-class Irish author when another Booker award winning Irish author walked past, saw it and shouted “I love that book, I just bumped into him around the corner.” I think Dublin might be only city in the world where that could happen!

What other hobbies do you have? How has the last 12 months been for you and how have you coped?

Undoubtedly the COVID situation has presented many obstacles this year but we’ve been fortunate to remain open for take-out food and coffee throughout all restriction levels, and our customers have been so loyal to us throughout all the disruption to their own lives

How important do you think it is to have an interest outside work and how do you think it can benefit your business?

It’s vitally important to have interests outside of work as you draw on these things for inspiration, and they can affect your decision making in your business in such a positive way. Your hobbies also help you switch off and recharge which I find so important to ensure you’re coming back to work fresh and focused.

Soccer is the other big passion in my life. I’ve played for U.C.D. F.C. in the Leinster Senior League since I was 18. It’s a great challenge for me to play at that level as the standard is very high and we’ve had some great league and national title wins over the years. I’m 36 now so hoping to stay fit and play for another few seasons so my sons can come and see me play.

Are there any hobbies or challenges you would you like to try?

I would really love to drive the entire coastline of Ireland with my wife and two boys someday, just to show the kids what a truly special place they are from and pass on our love of sea swimming to the next generation. How important is work life balance to you? Do you think this balance is something individuals and particularly employers need in their life to have a successful business?

That balance is something all business owners strive for but don’t necessarily always achieve. But family time is of the utmost importance to me, to spend quality time with my two young sons and my wife. I really think that making finding a work/life balance a priority, forces you to work much smarter, manage your time better and be very focused. Ultimately these are factors which should improve your business, not hinder it.