The Social Studio: Reweaving Strategy

CASE STUDY - DELIVERED IN MY PREVIOUS ROLE AT THE SOCIAL STUDIO

The Social Studio is a Melbourne social enterprise that creates education, employment and creative opportunities for people from refugee and new migrant backgrounds. After 15 years of organic growth, the organisation was facing a changing environment: shifting consumer behaviour, rising costs, increased competition and evolving funder expectations. With limited resources and heavy reliance on external funding, TSS needed to clarify its direction and build a more self-sufficient future.

Brought in to work alongside the CEO and Board, I led a strategic reset focused on aligning business operations with social impact while identifying opportunities for new revenue. This started with a deep dive into data and financials that revealed — for the first time — clear insights into product performance, margins and operating efficiency. I introduced new costing and margin tools in manufacturing, implemented team debriefing processes, and built the organisation’s capacity to use student outcomes data for decision-making.

From there, I facilitated strategic planning workshops to evaluate current performance, sharpen purpose and explore new priorities. The resulting strategic proposal reoriented manufacturing towards a vertically integrated TSS label and repair business, embedded trainee designers and makers into the product lifecycle, and invested in brand development and digital growth.

TSS is now on a clearer path to sustainability and impact. Manufacturing has been repositioned to prioritise high-margin, purpose-aligned work. A new Brand and Design Manager role strengthens the in-house label while deepening training outcomes. The growing TSS Mend repair business is poised for scale, and a revitalised digital strategy is boosting reach and revenue — unlocking more paid opportunities for young people from refugee and new migrant backgrounds.