Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Atlanta

News Summary

The Greater Women’s Business Council is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs despite the backlash against DEI initiatives. Under Roz Lewis’s leadership, GWBC has helped numerous women-owned businesses achieve crucial certifications and secure major contracts. Their new WBE Collaborative offers a coworking space fostering networking and professional development. As women-owned businesses grow, the organization continues to adapt to ensure their success in a challenging economic landscape.

Atlanta, Georgia – The Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC) is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs in their pursuit of significant business opportunities, even amid the rising backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With a focus on securing major contracts with large corporations, GWBC provides crucial support and resources to help women-owned businesses flourish.

Under the leadership of Roz Lewis, who has served as president and CEO since 2000, GWBC has a rich history of fostering the growth of women-owned businesses throughout the Southeast. With her over 25 years of experience, Lewis has been instrumental in assisting firms in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to achieve certification as Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs). This certification is essential as it opens doors for women-owned businesses to partner with major corporations that actively seek to collaborate with diverse suppliers.

Currently, more than 800 certified WBEs operate across Georgia, showcasing a vibrant community of women entrepreneurs. Among the notable success stories are the Bennett Family of Companies, a trucking firm making strides by expanding its operations into Florida and Texas, and Irresistible Pound Cakes, which gained prominence by catering cakes during the Super Bowl in Atlanta in 2019.

In a notable expansion of its offerings, GWBC launched the WBE Collaborative last year. This coworking space, situated within Bank of America Plaza, is the tallest building in Atlanta and is designed specifically for female business leaders. While primarily catering to women entrepreneurs, the collaborative is open to anyone willing to pay for access. It provides a professional setting for meetings and hosts networking events such as the popular Wednesday Wine Down gatherings, promoting community among women in business.

The organization acknowledges the evolving challenges entrepreneurs face, emphasizing the importance of training in finance, operations, business scaling, and new technological threats like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. These skills are increasingly vital for women seeking to navigate the complexities of starting and scaling a business.

Despite advancements in women’s rights and a push for more inclusive business practices, the backlash against DEI initiatives has prompted some concern. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is under scrutiny, with Administrator Kelly Loeffler indicating that the agency will steer clear of discriminatory DEI programs. This context highlights the ongoing conversation about the representation and equity of women and minority-owned businesses in the current economic landscape.

Lewis emphasizes the need for both women and men to take up leadership roles within businesses. This diversity of thought can drive innovation and contribute significantly to the growth of organizations. Women’s full participation in the economy is still challenged by statistics indicating a widening gender wage gap and underrepresentation in executive roles. Research from McKinsey suggests that achieving parity in senior positions may take nearly 50 years if current trends persist.

In Georgia alone, women-owned businesses experienced an 18.5% growth between 2019 and 2024, positioning the state strongly in the realm of female entrepreneurship. Nationally, women own 34% of all small businesses and franchises, signifying their substantial impact on the economy. Certification as a WBE requires that a woman must own, operate, and control at least 51% of the business, reinforcing the standards that govern these enterprises.

The WBE Collaborative was established with the intent to provide a professional networking space for home-based businesses and offer support for women operating in industries dominated by men. Even as companies navigate the backlash against DEI programs, they are looking to grow their market share, recognizing the importance of women-owned businesses in achieving their objectives. As the landscape of entrepreneurship evolves, the GWBC remains at the forefront, championing the growth and success of women in business.

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