Allara Drives founders Jessica Wright and Ruth Oettle share how listening to the women they worked alongside helped shape a social enterprise creating pathways to independence, employment and opportunity, and what they’ve learnt about building sustainable impact along the way.

Every founder has a moment where something shifts. What led you to start your social enterprise, and what was happening in your life or the world at the time that made this work feel important? 

For several years, we worked alongside women from refugee and migrant backgrounds through Allara Creative, providing employment that was flexible, meaningful and often their first job in Australia. We saw firsthand that while employment gave women confidence and financial independence, there was another barrier holding many of them back: they couldn’t drive.

In Canberra, not having a licence can mean being isolated from work, education, healthcare and community. Public transport doesn’t always meet people’s needs, especially for women balancing children, work and family responsibilities. We realised that a driver’s licence wasn’t just about transport, it was about opportunity. At the same time, we recognised another gap: women were largely absent from the driving instruction industry, despite many learners wanting a female instructor. And, there were very few women from migrant or refugee backgrounds who understood their culture and experiences.

That’s when Allara Drives was born. We wanted to tackle both problems: creating meaningful careers for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds while making driving lessons affordable and accessible for those who need them most.

Looking back, what has the journey been like from that first idea to where you are today? Share the moments that challenged you, surprised you, or changed the direction of your work. 

Like most social enterprises, the journey definitely has not been a straight line. The original idea was simply to subsidise driving lessons, but as we listened to the women we worked with, we realised we could have a much bigger impact by creating employment as driving instructors as well.

One of the biggest challenges has been building something that is both mission-driven and financially sustainable. We created a model where every full-fee driving lesson helps subsidise lessons for someone who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Balancing commercial realities with social impact is something we’re constantly learning and working towards!

Perhaps the biggest shift has been recognising that we’re no longer just running programs: we’re building pathways. A woman might begin by learning to drive, gain confidence, secure employment, and eventually become the person teaching the next generation. That’s the kind of ripple effect we hoped for, and it’s exciting to see it taking shape.

The Mill House Ventures has been part of many founders’ journeys in different ways. If you’ve participated in a program, event or worked alongside the community, what role has it played in your journey, and were there any moments, people or opportunities that had a lasting impact? 

Mill House Ventures has been a place where ideas become clearer and more achievable. Being surrounded by other founders tackling complex social problems reminds you that you’re not building alone.

The opportunity to test ideas, receive honest feedback, and learn from people who have navigated similar challenges has been invaluable. I think the biggest impact isn’t one piece of advice or learning we had with the Millhouse, it’s having a community that understands both the excitement and the uncertainty of building a social enterprise.

Those conversations have helped us think bigger, refine our business model, and stay focussed on creating long-term impact.

Can you share a moment that reminded you why this work matters? It could be a conversation, a person, a piece of feedback, or an experience that stayed with you. 

One woman told us that getting her licence meant she no longer had to choose between taking her children to school and getting to work on time. Something many Australians take for granted completely changed her daily life.

Another shared that having a female instructor who understood her language and cultural background gave her the confidence to learn after years of believing driving wasn’t possible for her.

Those moments remind us that a driver’s licence is never just a plastic card. It’s independence, dignity, employment opportunities, and the freedom to participate fully in your community.

How has your experience as a founder changed you? What have you learnt about yourself, leadership, or creating change that you didn’t expect when you started? 

We’ve learnt that lasting change starts with listening. The people closest to the problem are usually closest to the solution, and our role is to create opportunities rather than assume we know the answers.

I think we also are more passionate about the role of social enterprises in society. We were always keen, but really see the impact they can have and the sustainability that comes from generating their own income can keep creating impact long after grant funding ends.

Perhaps the biggest lesson has been patience. Systems don’t change overnight, but every woman who gains confidence, finds employment, or becomes more independent is proof that small changes add up to something much bigger. And also, just do something. Like just start! It can feel too big or insurmountable, but doing something is better than doing nothing.

If you could sit down with someone thinking about becoming a social entrepreneur, what would you want them to know before they begin? 

See above – just start! Something is better than nothing. You are going to make mistakes, that’s part of the journey and learning and it’s ok! It’s how you learn. And,  don’t be afraid to change your model as you learn. Your first idea probably won’t be your best one, and that’s okay.

I would also say spend as much time listening as you do planning. The best ideas often come from the people you’re hoping to support.

And perhaps, most importantly, don’t forget about the business side of things. No doubt your impact is all sorted, but if your business can stand on its own feet, your impact can continue long into the future.