Sunshine Coast's High Potential Purpose-Led Enterprises Join The FFWD Accelerator Program To Create Positive Impact
Impact Boom has welcomed a high potential group of 8 diverse impact-led enterprises into the Flow Forward Accelerator Program on the Sunshine Coast.
The ventures, led by a group of passionate, purpose-led entrepreneurs, are tackling an array of pressing community issues both locally and internationally.
After a highly competitive, region-wide application process, the chosen entrepreneurs are all working extremely hard to create positive social and environmental impact and prove that it’s possible to make money and do good.
Keep your eyes on these inspiring entrepreneurs as they evolve, develop their projects and maximise their impact.
We'd like to thank Sunshine Coast Council for proudly supporting FFWD, as well as the entire cohort for the hard work and grit they have demonstrated in getting to where they are.
Meet the Flow Forward Cohort
EATS Restaurant
EATS was established in 1989 in Eumundi, and when Katie Johnston took over in 2019 She had a dream of embedding her social enterprise background In an everyday business. Katie believes everyday people and everyday businesses can be a part of an extraordinary purpose.
EATS main goal now is to expand locally, nationally and internationally so they increase their impact, being 1 meal sold = 1 meal gifted to someone in need. At this stage they have a restaurant being built in Lima, Peru to service those in desperate need, as well as operate as a profitable restaurant to ensure every opportunity to create a bigger impact. EATS will also provide training in hospitality, English and business, as well as provide microfinance and be a bridge for people to come and study in Australia.
Founder - Katie Johnston
Fre-as-a.com
As a busy parent, it can often feel like there are too many things to do and there’s not enough time in the day.
Fre-as-a.com specialises in helping busy families create more fre-dom in their week by taking care of the things they simply don't need to be doing. The virtual service provides families with the opportunity to buy back time so they can focus more on connection, wellness and self-care. They look after life admin, deliver nutritionist approved recipe collections, handle groceries and supercharge wellness goals.
Co-Founders - Charlie Price and Emma Price
Blackdog Green
BlackDog Green – Tame your Mind with Nature – is a community focused mental health and emotional wellbeing hub. We offer a range of fun, inclusive nature-based experiences for people of all backgrounds.
Our team understands the importance of nature, play and community connection. Whether you want to find your feet in downward dog or dig your troubles away in the garden – we have something for everyone.
Winston Churchill once referred to his depression as a black dog. Our hub sees the term as encompassing all the silent battles everyday people face – from symptoms of disabilities or anxieties to feelings of loneliness and lack of vitality.
Led by experienced facilitators, our programs use evidence-based ecopsychology processes to build resilience, mindfulness and long-term inner wellbeing.
Now’s the time to turn your BlackDog Green!
Founder - Bruce Molloy
Hamlet Homes
Hamlet Homes exists to promote health and wellbeing. They will do this by focusing on providing socially and environmentally sustainable housing for people experiencing housing insecurity. Combining health and housing goals so that they may feel safe and secure, enhancing good health and wellbeing potential. Hamlet Homes connects with their community in a meaningful way that is built on trust, diversity, transparency and education.
They can’t do this on their own, so they are creating a professional lead network that can contribute to their purpose, and deliver their mission for the over 50’s experiencing home insecurity. Their housing options are being designed to be sustainable, and have a low environmental footprint, recognising our environment also promotes health and wellbeing.
Founder - Fiona Monk
HiveHaven
Hive Haven is a Sunshine Coast based social enterprise who are building a commercial and sustainable future for the Australian stingless native bee.
Since 2018, Ann and Jeff have been installing their award-winning native bee box in local and national public spaces to raise awareness of the need to protect our native pollinators.
Hive Haven has designed an innovative stingless native bee hive assembly to combat hive overheating and enable efficient and holistic harvesting of food grade native honey and propolis.
On a global scale; governments and industry are turning their focus to the native bee as a solution to the decline of pollination of food crops. Ann and Jeff believe the fledgling Australian Native Bee Industry will create employment for Sunshine Coast youth, whilst safeguarding the region’s future pollination needs.
Co-Founders - Ann Ross and Jeff Ross
So Soda
So SOda was Born out of a desire to create a flavoursome non-alcoholic beverage, that’s not as sweet or sugary as a soft drink, or as serious as a non alcoholic spirit.
Co-Founders Dan and Amelia saw an opportunity to moderate the levels of social alcoholic consumption by tapping into the culture of the health-conscious Australian, who loves to socialise, but doesn’t always love to drink alcohol.
So Soda champions the idea that no drinking, doesn’t mean no fun. A drink that’s convenient and offers uncompromising better for your refreshment, no matter what the mood or occasion.....without taking itself too seriously. So Soda is here for the greater social good.
Co-Founders - Amelia Carew & Dan Hastings
Talk Revolution
Talk Revolution™ is a collection of 8 education programs helping parents and educators to have uncomfortable conversations with their kids aged 9-16, around alcohol/drugs, body image, domestic violence, periods, sex, sexuality, suicide and self-harm.
Each program comprises videos of kids delivering the messages, supporting activities and lesson plans for teachers and discussion starters for parents.
Just like you, Tasha wants the best for her kids. She understands that the teenage years are tricky and turbulent for most, to say the least! Tasha had a challenging time growing up herself and wanted to create something to help other families avoid the pain she went through. A program that would relate to and empower kids to make positive and informed choices.
Founder - Tasha Lawton
Ten Little Pieces
Ten Little Pieces is an education and empowerment movement inspired by ordinary folks collecting ten little pieces of rubbish, anytime, anywhere, especially with children involved.
This opens conversations around environmental awareness, conscious consumerism, systems theory and conservation. Ten Little Pieces advocates and encourages solution development to the devastating impact of plastic pollution to promote clean oceans through school based sustainability education, community activism and corporate environmental impact awareness and change management.
As a 5 Gyres ambassador, a member of the Plastic Pollution Coalition and partner of the United Nations Environment Program, the Global Partnership on Marine Litter, Ten Little Pieces delivers engaging and impactful education to students of all ages inspiring value driven action towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
