Katie Liew never imagined she’d find herself at the helm of a social enterprise - let alone one that tackles the challenge of homelessness by creating employment pathways for women escaping domestic violence and at-risk young people.
But in 2017, a sudden departure from her accounting job pushed her to re-evaluate her work and life options.
Armed with a sense of purpose drawn from her experiences overseas, Katie decided to build something different: a social enterprise that could offer vulnerable people not charity, but dignity and a path to independence through employment.
That decision marked the beginning of The Underground Collaborative - a Perth-based employment and training program that has since become a lifeline for many.
Starting from Scratch
Katie’s journey began, like many startups, with little more than an idea - and a lot of grit.
“I was doing everything at the start, including hiring, the books, running the café, washing dishes - whatever it took,” she recalled.
With no roadmap for balancing the social impact while keeping the business part alive, she learned by doing. One of her first lessons was that the not-for-profit sector can be just as complicated and political as any other industry.
“I thought everyone would be aligned in their values, but that was not always the case,” Katie said.
But if there’s one thing Katie has in spades, it is determination.
“Stubbornness is my best asset,” she laughed. “I knew this was what I wanted to do, so I kept going.”
Navigating the Ecosystem
Early on, Katie discovered that while there’s plenty of goodwill in the social enterprise ecosystem, there’s also a confusing web of support services.
“Everyone’s happy to give their time and answer questions, but it can be overwhelming to know where to start,” she says.
She sees value in resources such as the Meshpoints Ecosystem Innovation Index, which brings together information on grants, training, programs and mentoring in one place.
Key to her progress was the Curtin Ignition program, which provided not only essential business skills but also a network of mentors and peers who understood the unique challenges of a social enterprise.
Lotterywest funding, a $10,000 grant from the City of Perth, and eventually raising $450,000 from various supporters helped The Underground Collaborative weather early storms.
Programs such as the Impact Seed accelerator and the AICD Not-for-Profit Governance Course also gave Katie the tools and the confidence to scale the venture sustainably.
COVID-19: A Test of Resilience
Just as things were finding their rhythm, COVID-19 struck. Like so many small businesses, The Underground Collaborative had to shutter its employment café’s doors.
For a social enterprise that relies on employment to deliver impact, the closure wasn’t just about lost revenue, it threatened the very model the organisation was built on.
“It was gut-wrenching,” Katie said. “We had staff relying on us, and team members who were depending on their roles to rebuild their confidence and independence.”
But Katie didn’t give up. She pivoted operations, stayed connected with staff, and found ways to keep the mission alive despite the surrounding chaos.
Defining Success Beyond the Bottom Line
Today, The Underground Collaborative employs eight to nine full-time and casual staff, including a café manager, cleaning team leader and operations manager. These roles have been instrumental in easing Katie’s workload and allowing the enterprise to deliver on its promise.
Since opening its doors, the program has seen 11 individuals successfully complete the program and move into more stable employment, education and/or housing.
“The impact isn’t always immediate,” Katie explained. “Some participants need years to stabilise their lives, and that’s okay. We’re here for the long term.”
Katie was determined that The Underground Collaborative would provide real jobs that created real pathways to independence.
Recognition and Lessons Learned
The Underground Collaborative’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Katie received the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary, and the enterprise has picked up several small business leadership awards. Though nice, she’s quick to point out that awards are not what’s important.
“The real success is seeing a woman rebuild her confidence, or a young person find their feet in the workforce,” she said.
Looking back, Katie is candid about the challenges that come with the social enterprise journey. Funding, for one, remains an uphill battle.
“It’s difficult to obtain funding for small social impact organisations like TUC, especially in WA,” she said, with a wry laugh. “The system struggles to provide sustainable support mechanisms for early-stage, for-purpose enterprises.”
Advice for Aspiring Founders
Despite the hurdles, she’s won through, and is happy to share hard won advice with others.
“You have to be prepared for the ups and downs,” she said. “There’s no shame in asking for help - mentors, networks, accelerators, whatever it takes. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
For those thinking of launching their own social enterprise, Katie’s story is both cautionary and inspiring.
“Be ready to wear many hats,” she said. “Learn the legal side early - governance matters as much as passion. Build your network and don’t be afraid to lean on people who’ve been there before. And most importantly, remember why you started it in the first place.
“Never lose that sense of purpose, it’s this that keeps you going when everything else feels too hard.
“You’ll hit roadblocks, legal challenges, funding gaps, pandemics, but if you know your ‘why’, you’ll find a way to push through.”
Katie Liew’s journey with The Underground Collaborative proves that even in the most challenging circumstances, a founder’s passion and resilience can build not just a business, but a lasting impact.
It’s a story every startup founder - social enterprise or not, can learn from.
Connect with Katie Liew on LinkedIn here, and learn more about The Underground Collaborative here.
To learn more about WA’s innovation ecosystem:
Stay tuned for our next WA Startup Stories feature, where we spotlight Ruth Hatherley, Founder and CEO of Moneycatcha. After more than two decades in banking, Ruth made the bold leap into fintech, investing her life savings to reimagine how Australians access home loans. Her journey from corporate banker to open banking trailblazer is one of resilience, conviction, and purpose-driven innovation. Don’t miss this powerful story of how she’s helping reshape financial services for brokers, lenders, and most importantly, consumers.
