New leaders drive growth at New iMAGE Laundry
As New iMAGE Laundry enters its next phase of growth, leaders Michael Hayman and Marika Svenson are helping shape a stronger, more sustainable future for the social enterprise.
In 2013, New iMAGE Laundry, known as Peg n Iron at the time, became part of IMPACT Community Services, helping the not-for-profit expand its social impact across the Bundaberg and Wide Bay regions. Since then, the laundry has experienced several periods of growth, including its relocation to Inglis Court in 2018.
This growth means greater benefit for the local community, with the laundry offering dozens of people who were previously struggling to find employment a foot in the door of what can be a relentless job market.
That’s what inspires Mike Hayman. Across his 10 years at IMPACT Community Services, Mike has worn many hats, from recruitment advisor to industry lead. He’s no stranger to customer and industry engagement, which sit at the core of his latest role as the laundry’s Opportunity and Growth Leader.
When his Industry Lead contract was winding up earlier this year, he felt loyal to IMPACT and invested in leading the laundry to new heights.
“It’s been a good ten years. I’ve been well looked after. I was happy to stay,” Mike said.
“This new role is very closely aligned to what I’ve done within my 10 years at IMPACT, so it’s second nature.”
Finding the sweet spot between purpose and profit is a challenge for most work-integrated social enterprises. Mike said he gets immense satisfaction from exploring how to make that balance work at the laundry.
“It’s extremely important to bring our customers, no matter who they are, on the journey with us.
“The only way that we can make this business viable is to have our customers understand and see value in the laundry’s offering and purpose.”
That purpose centres around providing employment opportunities to people facing barriers to work. Whether they are a migrant who speaks little English or a domestic violence survivor reestablishing their life, the laundry is there to build their skills and confidence, setting them up for ongoing workforce success.
It’s no wonder that Team Leader turned Operations Lead Marika Svenson, who joined the team in December 2025, turned to New iMAGE Laundry for the job satisfaction she was missing in her previous role.
In addition to skills and a regular pay cheque, laundry employees also benefit from a broader social network and access to IMPACT’s range of support and training services.
Supporting new starters from the outset is the laundry’s tight-knit core of experienced professionals. A key part of Marika’s role is ensuring this knowledge is shared across the broader team, strengthening capability and helping deliver an exceptional service.
With a background in compliance and quality management in the disability sector, Marika is well placed to partner with Mike and lead the charge on efficiency and effectiveness. Not only has she fulfilled her aspiration of reaching a management position, but she’s also relishing the opportunity to test herself.
“What gets me out of bed every day is that I like a challenge,” Marika said.
“I thrive on learning something new constantly and finding ways of streamlining processes and making the job more efficient.”
Marika’s leadership philosophy is people-centred. While reviewing policies, assigning training and checking machinery are all necessary and important parts of her role, she believes working alongside the team is just as important.
“I like to get in and get my hands dirty and work alongside the team,” Marika said.
“I think what makes a good leader is someone who leads by example and not from an office.”
Mike agrees, with both roles designed to balance time on the floor, in the office and out in the community.
Bringing Mike and Marika on board adds an extra layer of leadership and expertise to the social enterprise, ensuring people, production and profit receive equal care and attention.
Rounding out the leadership team is Laundry Manager Jenna Morrish, who also serves as IMPACT Community Services’ General Manager of Disability, Employment and Training. Together, the three leaders collaborate to solve challenges and drive continuous improvement.
They’re already making their mark, with New iMAGE Laundry recently becoming a member of the Australian Social Values Bank (ASVB). This enables the laundry to measure and demonstrate the social impact it creates.
“It allows us to operate within a framework that is already in place and respected by governments and other agencies,” Mike said.
“By using that framework, we can collect data around our purpose and put a dollar value against the community benefit we generate.”
With strong leadership in place and a clear focus on people, production and profit, New iMAGE Laundry is continuing to grow its impact, one job, one customer and one community connection at a time.
For local businesses, partnering with New iMAGE Laundry offers a practical way to support meaningful employment outcomes while receiving a high-quality service.
Visit the website to find out more: www.newimagelaundry.com.au
