Social enterprises rarely emerge from a single lightbulb moment.

More often, they’re shaped by years of experience: the work a founder has done, the communities they’ve been part of, the problems they’ve encountered and the ideas they haven’t been able to let go of.

That’s why we created Impact After Hours, a place where we explore how founders weave these different threads together to create businesses with purpose.

This month (September), joining us for the conversation are Monisha Sami, founder of StoryCloud, and Lauren Cannell, founder of Artfullness Space and Educacion Diversa. While their organisations look very different, both demonstrate how a founder’s experiences can show up in unexpected ways in what they ultimately create.

From criminology to children’s storytelling

Monisha Sami is a criminologist and the founder of StoryCloud, a Canberra-based children’s media and education company creating safe, values-led stories and learning experiences for children aged 2–9.

StoryCloud brings together storytelling, education and prosocial modelling to create engaging digital experiences that support children’s learning and safety, while strengthening connection with their families.

It’s an example of how specialist knowledge and professional experience can be reimagined in an entirely different setting to tackle an issue from a new direction.

Reimagining education and mental health through art

Lauren Cannell is the founder of Artfullness Space, a social enterprise using art and mindfulness to teach neuroscience, emotional intelligence and social inclusion.

She is also behind Educacion Diversa, a not-for-profit using arts programs and projects internationally to educate communities about human rights, sexual and reproductive health, and peaceful approaches to eliminating violence.

Across both organisations, Lauren is working towards a bigger ambition: helping make education and mental health support more accessible and less clinical for the communities they serve.

What parts of your story could shape what you build?

Impact After Hours is a chance to hear the stories that sit behind the organisations and explore how skills, experiences and values that may initially seem unrelated can become the building blocks for something new.

Whether you’re already building a social enterprise, considering an idea or simply interested in creating positive change, come along to hear from Monisha and Lauren and connect with Canberra’s social enterprise community.

Join us at the next Impact After Hours.