Proud Mununjali woman Ashley Carroll has gone from dropping out of high school in year 8 to running a thriving business.

Ms Carroll set up Alkira Fuel in 2019 shortly after her first child was born initially to earn some extra cash on the side.

A few years later the Brisbane-based company employs 12 staff, has a fleet of trucks, and is one of most respected and professional-managed fuel card providers operating in Australia.

The business is also Australia's first dedicated national Indigenous entity formed specifically for fuel management and distribution, refuelling solutions and fuel card programs.

"I was doing my teaching degree then I fell pregnant with my first child so I didn't want to leave him with other children which was probably a pattern from my own childhood," Ms Carroll told National Indigenous Times.

"I had a neighbour who I met who had me distributing fuel cards for him and after about six months, I thought I could do this and make some extra cash myself.

"I did that for about a year before I found out about Supply Nation and since my first appearance at a Supply Nation Connect event my mind was open to the business world because I didn't have a business background."

The 34-year-old admits jumping into the bulk fuelling industry was a steep learning curve. However, she was determined to learn everything about the industry and engage with as many First Nations businesses as she could.

"I discovered all these Tier One companies that I hadn't been exposed to before so then we started discussing bulk fuel and bulk fuel servicing and fuel-related material which I had to learn along the way," she said.

"We started doing work for the Australian Defence Department and working with different Indigenous communities on different fuelling programs for the infrastructure.

"The engagement of other Indigenous businesses helped Alkira grow because, without all the support of Indigenous business, it can be intimidating."

Ms Carroll's hard work and persistence paid off after she was nominated for Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year at the upcoming Supply Nation Diversity Awards.

The awards recognise Indigenous individuals, organisations and companies that have helped create a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Aboriginal business sector.

"I was so excited when I got the email to say I'd been nominated," Ms Carroll said.

"I've learnt a lot over the last few years about what it takes to be in that category.

"It isn't just about the money or the growth, it's got to do with everything we are not just growing our business we want to grow the community."

Ms Carroll is passionate about helping out the next generation of First Nations entrepreneurs through her Indigenous Employment Mentoring Program, which is set to be rebranded as Kuranya Kids.

The program mentor's young Indigenous kids into business but also aims to we aim to provide meaningful opportunities for youth, aligning with their varied interests.

"Setting up the program had to do with my own childhood," she said.

"I struggled in school and dropped out in year 8 and then I got into uni doing a teaching degree and I was also raising my niece.

"I think a lot has to do with my own family and my own history and just the generational trauma and belief that gets passed down.

"That's what I try and teach young people that everything is a lesson, and you just have to keep doing it, not just in business but everywhere."

She has one final message for any young First Nations women interested in going into business.

"Just go and do it," she laughed.

"There is no failure in having a go because you never know where that might lead. Make every decision fun and just believe in yourself."