Few individuals embody the spirit of innovation and social impact quite like Elizabeth Gore. As the co-founder and president of Hello Alice, Gore has emerged as a force in supporting small businesses, particularly those led by underrepresented entrepreneurs. Her work goes far beyond traditional business support, weaving together technology, financial empowerment, and a profound commitment to creating equitable opportunities for business owners across the United States.
We had the opportunity to delve into the critical challenges facing small businesses in Georgia, a state that has paradoxically been ranked the number one place to do business for eleven consecutive years, yet still struggles with one of the highest first-year business failure rates in the nation. Through Hello Alice’s efforts, including over $678,000 in grants and support for more than 73,000 small businesses in the state, Gore shared insights into how targeted financial resources and comprehensive business education can be game-changers for entrepreneurs navigating today’s economic landscape.
From her roots as a United Nations Foundation leader to her current role championing small business growth, Elizabeth Gore represents a unique blend of humanitarian vision and entrepreneurial expertise.
Check out our full interview with her below.
You’ve had a diverse career path, from the Peace Corps to the UN Foundation to entrepreneurship. How did these transitions shape your professional outlook?
Elizabeth Gore: Each chapter of my career – from the Peace Corps to the UN Foundation to founding Hello Alice – has significantly shaped my professional outlook. The Peace Corps taught me the importance of community and grassroot impact, showing me how small actions can lead to big changes. My time at the UN Foundation reinforced this, as I worked on global initiatives like Girl Up and Nothing But Nets, focusing on empowering individuals to create meaningful change in their own lives and communities.
These experiences instilled in me a passion for entrepreneurship and an understanding of the challenges that small business owners face, especially when access to capital is limited. When Carolyn Rodz and I founded Hello Alice, we wanted to address these gaps by building a platform that provides support for small business owners.
How has Hello Alice’s approach to empowering small businesses evolved since its founding?
Elizabeth Gore: At Hello Alice, we aimed to build a platform to support access to capital. We’ve introduced solutions like the Business Health Score, specialized credit programs, and grant opportunities to provide business owners with the resources they need to thrive​
The needs of small business owners are ever-evolving, and our goal is to stay responsive to the challenges entrepreneurs face today. This ongoing evolution reflects our commitment to fostering long-term success, ensuring that every business owner, regardless of background, has the tools to grow and connect with meaningful opportunities
Can you share a success story of an entrepreneur who has benefited from Hello Alice’s support?
Elizabeth Gore: A great success story from Hello Alice’s community is that of Monica Sunny, founder of The Chai Box, a family-owned chai company based out of Atlanta, GA. Monica first discovered Hello Alice as a resource for small businesses like hers. Through the platform, she discovered, applied, and received a grant.
For Monica, Hello Alice has connected her to both networking and financing opportunities, offering crucial support as she scaled her business from humble beginnings to a nationally recognized brand.
For background, the Chai Box began in Monica’s kitchen in 2016, but it was in 2020 that she took the leap to pursue the business full-time. Since then, her journey has included impressive press mentions, positioning her as a thought leader in bringing traditional chai to mainstream audiences. Today, she continues to educate people on how to make chai, all while working with small-scale farmers on regenerative farms to ensure the highest quality ingredients.
Despite the company’s recent success, Monica shares that entrepreneurship isn’t without its challenges. From navigating supply chain disruptions and food safety standards to digital marketing and packaging, she has had to learn many aspects of business independently. Yet, Hello Alice has provided essential tools along the way and she plans to continue using the platform extensively as she grows.
What unique challenges do small businesses in Georgia face compared to other states?
Elizabeth Gore: Small businesses face unique challenges, particularly in areas such as access to capital, workforce development, and regional disparities. Entrepreneurs often struggle with securing the funding needed to grow their businesses, especially in rural areas where traditional lending options are more limited.
Additionally, workforce shortages remain an issue. Georgia’s rapid economic growth has intensified the competition for skilled labor, leaving small businesses, facing greater challenges in attracting and retaining employees. The 2024 Executive Insights Survey from Georgia’s Chamber of Commerce highlights that workforce shortages are a top concern for 62% of Georgia’s business leaders, underscoring the need for strategies tailored to help small businesses stay competitive in this tight labor market.
How does Hello Alice address the high first-year business failure rate in Georgia?
Elizabeth Gore: Hello Alice actively combats the high first-year business failure rate in Georgia by providing both financial support and essential business education. Since 2020, the platform has awarded over half a million dollars in grants to small businesses across the state, helping entrepreneurs secure the funding needed to sustain and grow their ventures. Beyond financial aid, Hello Alice offers ongoing support through resources, tools, and events tailored to foster business health, which are key elements in overcoming early challenges faced by new businesses.
There are over 70,000 small businesses registered on Hello Alice that call Georgia home. Hello Alice ensures entrepreneurs are better equipped to navigate the complexities of running a business by giving them access to resources and tools. This comprehensive approach empowers Georgia’s small business community, giving founders the knowledge and support they need to succeed beyond their first year and build lasting enterprises.
What future initiatives does Hello Alice have planned to further support Georgia’s small business community?
Elizabeth Gore: Hello Alice is focused on providing opportunities that empower Georgia’s small business community and beyond by offering entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hello Alice has the Business Health Score, which allows business owners to assess and track their progress, offering recommendations to strengthen operations and address growth challenges. As businesses continue to evolve, Hello Alice remains committed to fostering a business ecosystem of support.
How do you balance your various roles as an entrepreneur, advisor, and board member?
Elizabeth Gore: Prioritization is key to my life. I have to look at each year, month, week and day and understand what is the priority for my time. I then work to ensure I keep a pretty concrete calendar of events, objectives and tasks based on those priorities. Of course, family can trump all of this prioritization without a moment’s notice if they need me, and then it just all goes to the gutter, and we pick back up again tomorrow.
As a mother of two, how do you balance your demanding career with family life, and what advice would you give to other working parents?
Elizabeth Gore: My children are my number one priority. My co-founder and I have been clear on that from day one. Our company might have grown faster had we not put forward that mandate, but it was our choice, and I am so proud of it. Now, with a mature successful company, we have a team that helps us all balance our lives with work. At the end of the day, my kids are proud of Hello Alice and the work we do, but they know Mommy picks them first.
As an advocate for entrepreneurship, what policy changes do you believe would most benefit small businesses in Georgia and nationwide?
Elizabeth Gore: We need to put forward more government grants and supplier diversity programs. Grants are a critical part of the launch and growth of small businesses, particularly those that might be left out of mainstream capital. Supplier diversity contracts are a large source of revenue for SMEs and a successful way to ensure a strong supply chain.
Lastly, is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart?
Elizabeth Gore: “Hold your head up high and give them hell,” from my grandma Opal.
Learn more about Elizabeth Gore and Hello Alice at https://www.gorecountry.net/ and https://helloalice.com/.
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