Kirsty Dunphey

Hey there — I'm Kirsty, or KD. I kicked off my entrepreneurial life at 15, selling silver jewellery at markets while juggling soft serve shifts and filing duties at a real estate agency. Only one of those jobs came with free ice cream, so you can guess which one had my heart.

Since then it's been a three-decade adventure. I've done just about everything you can in real estate, led award-winning teams, and watched more than fifteen of my former team go on to run their own agencies — still my proudest legacy from that chapter. I co-founded Up Loans in Tasmania and became one of Australia's top brokers from an island better known for wombats than for the top 100 list.

Along the way I've picked up an MBA, spoken on stages across Australia, New Zealand and the US, sat on boards, written a few books, and exited five businesses. These days I'm focused on meaningful work, big-hearted people, and projects that spark wonder or create real impact — ideally both.

I'm also passionate about educating girls in economically disadvantaged communities, financial and functional literacy in Tasmania, and helping others back themselves.

When I'm not at work — I'm on the road. What I've learned, again and again, is that loyalty is built in the details — the way someone is welcomed, the thought behind a recommendation, the sense that someone genuinely paid attention.

These days I bring that same eye to the places I love most — boutique luxury properties around the world — through The Luxury Guest Insight Audit.