Impact Practice: One Year of Social Impact Consulting
Twelve months ago, I took the leap and started Impact Practice, a social impact consulting practice based in Melbourne. As I reflect on this first year, I want to share what I've learned about building a purpose-driven business, the organisations I've had the privilege to work with, and what's ahead for 2026.
Meaningful Work Across the Social Impact Sector
My first year has been incredibly varied and rewarding. I've worked with organisations tackling some of Australia's most pressing social challenges – from food insecurity and work integration to inclusive economic development and supplier diversity.
Client Highlights
Social Traders was my first official client. I developed e-learning resources and facilitated social procurement training workshops, helping businesses understand how to integrate social procurement into their operations. It was the perfect way to begin this journey.
Banyule City Council is leading the way in local government social impact. I supported the development of their new Inclusive Economy Strategy, which combines economic development, social enterprise support and inclusive local employment. This work demonstrated how councils can drive meaningful change through strategic policy.
Open Table is a social enterprise reducing food insecurity and food waste in Melbourne. They're punching well above their weight, and working with the CEO and team through a strategy refresh was a true privilege.
Through AGL's ESG team, I provided capability building support to Yunaga Civil & Earth, a First Nations business in their supply chain. Working closely with the Yunaga team to refine and grow their business plan was deeply meaningful work in the supplier diversity space.
I also worked with businesses like Committed Traffic who are transitioning to a work integration social enterprise (WISE) model. I helped them articulate their social purpose and impact model, and build an operating model fit for a WISE.
Beyond organisational clients, I've also supported individual creative practitioners evolving their practice and building purpose into new ventures. This work blends business advisory, coaching, start-up support and strategic planning.
Pro Bono Work That Matters
Alongside client work, I've been deliberate about making space for pro bono projects with organisations achieving deep impact. This is part of Impact Practice's own social purpose.
Circus Nexus uses circus arts and creative physical activity to empower young people from marginalised communities, building social connection, confidence and stronger communities. I worked closely with the CEO to develop a business case for investment in their performance space.
Two Square Pegs is a social enterprise led by former refugees that empowers refugee, migrant and underrepresented communities to build local enterprises and lead community initiatives. I coached the founder through RMIT's VentureHUB social innovation accelerator.
In my first year, 18% of my total project time was pro bono work. This commitment to organisations creating deep impact is central to how I operate.
What I've Learned Building a Purpose-Driven Consulting Practice
Business development is hard – much harder than I anticipated. Building a pipeline when you're also delivering client work requires constant discipline, and I'm still learning to balance the two. Getting comfortable with not knowing where the next project is coming from has been one of the biggest adjustments.
As someone who's always been a salaried employee, the financial uncertainty of sole trading took getting used to. I've had to learn to trust that things will be okay, and to take advantage of downtime without guilt – forest walks, time with my kids, gardening when things are quieter. Running my own business has let me build work around life, not the other way around. It's been uncomfortable at times, but also freeing.
Walk and Talk: Supporting Purpose-Driven Leaders
I've started offering free Walk and Talk sessions in the Dandenong Ranges as part of my commitment to supporting purpose-driven leaders. If you're working on social impact initiatives and could use a stunning walk through the forest while having a really good conversation, I'd love to hear from you.
We can talk through a work challenge, I can listen if you need to process something, or we can just have a social catch-up in nature. Limited spots available.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Open for New Clients and Collaborations
I'm open to new clients and collaborations in 2026. I'm especially energised by opportunities in:
From start-up to scale, I help organisations clarify their purpose, measure impact, strengthen operations and commercial viability, or refine their social enterprise business plan and strategy.
I design inclusive employment initiatives, social procurement strategies and grant programs that create real change, plus provide capability building and facilitation support for government teams in Victoria and beyond.
I support businesses to build meaningful supplier diversity programs, develop authentic impact initiatives, and integrate purpose into their operations through ESG consulting and social procurement training.
I review and design grant programs, deliver capability-building programs for funded organisations, and act as a referral partner for organisations in your network needing strategic or operational support.
I help creative practitioners streamline their operations and strategy so they can focus on what they do best.
For a full list of services, visit my services page.
If any of this resonates with you, or if you know someone it might be useful for, I'd love to hear from you. Book a consultation or subscribe to my newsletter to stay connected.
Here's to year two.
Olivia