Learning From Enterprises Creating Impact On The Brisbane Social Enterprise Tour
Today’s times demand collaboration over competition, connected communities and new ways of thinking which create systemic change. Spread around Brisbane is a growing movement of social enterprises using business to tackle social, environmental and cultural issues. So What is social enterprise? Why is growth of the ecosystem important and what's happening on the ground in Brisbane?
Recently, Impact Boom and the Yunus Centre (Griffith University) got together 75+ people for the Brisbane Social Enterprise Tour for a jam-packed day exploring some of Brisbane's social enterprises. We sought to answer some of the above questions, learn from the teams on the ground, share stories, foster connections and spark interest to see the ecosystem develop further.
This event is in association with the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) being held in Brisbane, Australia in September 2022! SEWF is the flagship event for the global social enterprise community, providing space for purpose-led people, policymakers, philanthropists, intermediaries and entrepreneurs to connect, learn and be inspired. You'll hear from Tom Allen of Impact Boom and the Social Enterprise World Forum Advisory Board as he reflects on his experiences and learnings from the growth of the social enterprise environment in Queensland.
9:00am - Meet at the Foodprint Experience Cafe (111 Franklin St, Adelaide) to grab a coffee, honour our traditional owners and hear from the founder, Melissa Rayner about her sustainable cafe.
Stop 1 - Meet the team behind One Culture who will share how they create inclusive opportunities for people of multicultural backgrounds and those with disabilities.
Stop 2 - Meet three social enterprises that are part of SA Group Enterprises - Blend Creative, Electronic Recycling Australia and Bounce Back to learn how they create meaningful employment for people with disabilities and diverting waste from landfill.
Stop 3 - Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Healthy Living Precinct, hear from Rapid Enterprise Development (RED) founder Guy Turnbull and wander around a pop-up marketplace of social enterprises.
Stop 4 - APY Art Collective in Thebarton is the final destination on our bus tour, recently moved we are fortunate to be visiting the studio space and learn more about the artists of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.
With change comes opportunity. Let’s back our local businesses, and particularly those whose primary mission is to create a better world for all. Here are the social enterprises we visited and how the Tour unfolded…
The day began at Griffith University, Southbank, where the enthusiastic group mingled before packing the tour bus to capacity. Aboard the bus were 35 social entrepreneurs and a variety of business owners, academia, local and state government representatives from relevant departments, investors and board members from some of the Social Enterprise Networks.
As the bus headed towards our first stop of the day at the White Box Enterprises led social enterprise district at Mt Gravatt Tafe, we met those in the seats around us and Impact Boom provided an update on key activities happening in the local ecosystem, presented some key goals moving forward and what to expect for the day.
On arrival to Mt Gravatt Tafe, we were welcomed by Luke Terry, Co-Founder and CEO at White Box Enterprises. Luke explained how White Box exist to:
build market led large-scale employment-focused social enterprises, that can employ more than 50 disadvantaged people.
support innovative ideas and social enterprises with the resources they need to create more jobs for disadvantaged Australians.
The social enterprise district is coming alive quickly, with Elevate+ alumni Mantua Sewing Studio recently setting up their studio there.
Co-Founder Kim Rollason-Nokes provided insights into the set up and some of the key challenges they’ve faced to date. Mantua is a social enterprise which is bringing to life ethical, Australian-based sewing manufacturing through the under-utilised, but highly-skilled sewing expertise of women from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Next up, the group got a tour through the soon to be opened Jigsaw space, a social enterprise that trains and transitions people with disability into award wage employment. Jigsaw believes people prepare best for work, through work. The Brisbane office is due to employ at least 50 people in the coming months and will soon be up there as one of Australia’s largest employment-focussed social enterprises.
The group then assembled in the theatre where we were joined by the various directors, including White Box Co-Founder Lisa Siganto, Jigsaw Hub Expansion Manager Tim Sprey and Hotel Housekeeping General Manager Shannon Price. We heard further news and updates and it’s exciting to hear of the strong ambition amongst the social enterprises stationed at the district.
We jumped back on the bus to head for morning tea. Throughout the day between different bus stops, the current Elevate+ cohort of 14 social enterprises, as well as other social entrepreneurs aboard the bus, had a couple of minutes to share their work with the rest of the bus. It was a great way to get some insights into what’s happening in the city.
Upon arrival to The LoveWell Project Cafe at Mt Gravatt, we were welcomed with great coffee and a variety of freshly baked goods. Cafe Manager Jill Walker and Director Annie-Louise Stonehouse provided further information about the history of this social enterprise. The cafe is attached to the Hope Foundation which provides opportunities for women wanting life change from addictions and/or the sex industry with the core message – YOU are loved, valued and created with a purpose.
The LoveWell Project is a place for the woman to be retrained and reskilled in a safe, kind and loving environment.
It was time to move on, and we made our way to the suburb of Salisbury, where Robert Pekin of Food Connect Brisbane provided a warm welcome, before sharing their story, a year on from the successful equity crowdfunding campaign which raised over $2m to buy the warehouse that they’d rented for over 12 years.
They now have Australia's first community-owned local food hub, the Food Connect Shed, and Robert is currently on Impact Boom’s Elevate+ Accelerator. The Shed aims to provide the infrastructure to create a stable market for their farmers, completely divorced from market forces, and to create a home to many ethical food entrepreneurs.
Robert and the team are committed to their vision of creating a fairer food system, while earning a living wage and playing an integral part of transforming the food system.
It was time for lunch, which was provided by social enterprise, Hope Street Cafe. Whilst grazing away, a panel conversation around Food and Sustainability in social enterprise took place. Panelists included Gaala Watson (UQ), Jack Stone (Bee One Third), Marion Glover (Vessel Nundah) and Kylie Newberry (Our Food System) in a conversation facilitated by Tom Allen (Impact Boom).
With full stomachs, we made our way across town to HELP Enterprises. During the bus ride, Alex Hannant, Co-Director of the Yunus Centre, Griffith University, gave a great overview of existing activity in the social enterprise space, as well as providing commentary on some of the activities currently happening to build the impact economy.
Once at HELP, we were welcomed by Chairman Gary Butler, CEO Denver Fresser, Zachary Wright and other staff. Before a tour of facilities, the group hear from the HELP team, with some great insights and tips provided. The staff described how HELP delivers market-leading products and services that add value for our customers, while creating vital employment opportunities and support for people with disability, and other disadvantaged groups. They are an organisation committed to enhancing people’s lives.
On leaving the HELP facilities, we boarded the bus with some catering from Fison Food Factory and headed back to Griffith University, Southbank, where the day ended on a high.
The Indigenous Business panel sought to explore what’s been happening in the sector, and learn from the 60,000 years of knowledge our First Nations people have around sustaining the land and culture. Panelists included Troy Casey (Blaklash), Adam Williams (Supply Aus), Marcia Edwards (The Cryogenics Group) and Aunty Roma Pregarc (Scope Solutions) in a conversation facilitated by Tom Allen on the key challenges and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs, protocols for engaging with Indigenous businesses and learnings across diverse sectors.
Impact Boom would like to thank…
Yunus Centre, Griffith Business School. Michelle Smith, Celeste Alcaraz and Alex Hannant provided strong support to make the tour happen.
The amazing social enterprises/entrepreneurs who welcomed us during the Brisbane Social Enterprise Tour which included:
Mantua Sewing Studio
White Box Enterprises
Jigsaw Australia
Hotel Housekeeping
The LoveWell Project Cafe
Food Connect Shed
Help Enterprises
Jack Stone (Bee One Third), Marion Glover (Vessel Nundah), Kylie Newberry (Our Food System), Gaala Watson (UQ).
Troy Casey (Blaklash Projects), Marcia Edwards (The Cryogenics Group), Adam Williams (Supply Aus), Aunty Roma Pregarc (Scope Solutions).
Brisbane City Council for supporting our Elevate+ Accelerator Program.
