As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we take a moment to honor the contributions of phenomenal women who have shaped economic landscapes and empowered communities. One such leader is Elizabeth Wilson, a visionary entrepreneur and advocate whose work in microenterprise has transformed the way small businesses access capital, training, and support.
A Vision for Economic Development
Elizabeth Wilson is one of the co-founders of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN), an organization born from the urgent need to support small business owners—especially women and underserved entrepreneurs—in Georgia. Her journey began as the Director of Business NOW, a pioneering microenterprise program that focused on disadvantaged women in East Lake, then known as “Little Vietnam.”
Recognizing the barriers these entrepreneurs faced, Wilson sought to create an ecosystem where resources, mentorship, and funding could be readily available. GMEN emerged from informal networking meetings where service providers and community leaders discussed how to collaborate and close the gaps in business support. The organization grew into a vital resource, advocating for small businesses, providing capital, and ensuring that entrepreneurs received the tools needed for success.
Bridging the Gaps in Entrepreneurship
Wilson’s experience in corporate America, with companies such as The Ritz-Carlton and Saks Fifth Avenue, shaped her approach to nonprofit and microenterprise development. She understood that businesses thrive when they have access to training, capital, and networks.
In her early efforts to support small businesses, she implemented an Individual Development Account (IDA) program, which provided a 3-to-1 savings match for entrepreneurs. This initiative ensured that aspiring business owners had an immediate financial foundation to launch and sustain their ventures. GMEN didn’t just offer financial support—it emphasized mentorship, strategic networking, and policy advocacy to create a more equitable business environment.
“I don’t want us constantly pulling from empty wells. We have to start thinking, ‘how do I get to the place where I’m in overflow’, where every time someone asks me, I have something to give,” shares Wilson, capturing her philosophy of mentorship, and empowerment, ensuring small businesses have abundant resources and knowledge to share.
A National Influence on Microenterprise
Wilson’s impact extended beyond Georgia. Her leadership took her to Washington, D.C., where she served as the Training Manager for the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), a national trade association for business development organizations. Through this role, she helped shape national policies, connected microenterprise networks across states, and advocated for increased investment in small business ecosystems.
When GMEN needed revitalization, Wilson returned to lead the organization with a renewed mission: to integrate best practices from around the country and strengthen Georgia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. She gives these words of advice, “Get comfortable being learners; being able to learn in person, as well as online, is going to be key. Leaving the South, going to other places to see how they’re doing it in California, New York or Utah, where businesses are really exploding and doing well, that’s going to kind of have to be normalized.”
Under her leadership, GMEN continues to challenge silos in the business support sector, ensuring small businesses receive the comprehensive support they need to succeed.
GMEN’s Home at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
The partnership between GMEN and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) represents a powerful alignment of missions. When Jay Bailey, President & CEO of RICE, invited Wilson to bring GMEN into the center, it was more than just a relocation—it was a strategic move to deepen GMEN’s impact within a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Where we go, our people follow,” Wilson recalls. “By being headquartered at RICE, we are able to provide direct access to resources, capital, and mentorship in an environment where entrepreneurship is celebrated and nurtured every day.”
GMEN’s work at RICE includes targeted training programs for returning citizens—individuals re-entering society after incarceration—giving them access to mentorship, skill-building, and capital. One powerful success story emerged when a formerly incarcerated man, struggling with his next steps, stumbled into a GMEN event just to charge his phone. A RICE entrepreneur stepped up, mentored him, and helped him start a successful wiring business, eventually leading him to become an employer himself. This is the kind of transformative impact GMEN and RICE create together.
Mentorship and Lifelong Learning
One of Wilson’s core beliefs is that businesses must remain adaptable and always seek growth opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, encouraging entrepreneurs to engage with industry leaders, join chambers of commerce, and participate in training programs. “Even the best businesses must continue learning,” Wilson notes. “Blockbuster thought they were untouchable—until they weren’t. Success requires staying engaged and embracing change.”
Through GMEN, Wilson fosters a culture of continuous learning, making sure small business owners have access to mentorship and are included in key industry conversations. Her commitment to economic justice and empowerment remains at the heart of GMEN’s mission.
Advancing Women in Business
Wilson’s dedication to economic equity extends deeply into her work supporting women entrepreneurs. She has long recognized the unique financial and structural challenges women face in business, from limited capital access to the burden of balancing multiple responsibilities.
GMEN’s Women’s Business Center, supported by the Small Business Administration (SBA), is one of the latest initiatives designed to provide specialized training, mentorship, and funding opportunities for women-led businesses. Wilson understands that empowering women entrepreneurs isn’t just about business—it’s about ensuring financial stability for families and communities.
She also believes in shifting women from solopreneurs to partnerships that offer greater financial resilience. “Two women working together can double their capital, expand their product lines, and access better health and financial benefits,” she explains. “Strategic collaboration is key to growth.”
A Legacy of Economic Justice and Inclusion
Elizabeth Wilson’s work has left an indelible mark on the landscape of entrepreneurship. Her dedication to ensuring that small businesses—especially those led by women and underserved communities—have the resources and opportunities to thrive has changed countless lives.
As we honor her legacy this Women’s History Month, we recognize that her impact goes beyond economic development—it is about creating pathways to financial independence, building generational wealth, and ensuring that all entrepreneurs have a seat at the table.
At the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), we stand on the shoulders of leaders like Wilson, committed to advancing economic empowerment and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her story is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and resilience—qualities that continue to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
