Elizabeth Perry believes “there is enough time in the day to do some good,” according to her 40 Under Forty application – and her business and community involvement are proof.
Perry is a business-development account manager for the R.I. Economic Development Corporation’s Every Company Counts initiative, coordinating educational seminars and consulting services for small-business owners.
Since joining the EDC in September of 2008, Perry has nearly quadrupled the number of small-business workshops, from 35 events in 2008 to 125 in 2009. Her efforts contributed to Every Company Counts earning the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Business and Education Advocate of the Year award.
As a part of the Every Company Counts initiative, Perry also created the Business Growth Series, which provides one-on-one consulting to current or soon-to-be business owners.
Perry is able to relate to small-business owners because she runs her own small business – Gracie’s Gourmet Goodies – an all-natural and organic dog-treats company. Founded in 2007, Gracie’s was named a 2008 and 2009 Top Dog for best bakery in Animal Print Magazine.
Perry also created the Danny Perry Memorial Softball Tournament (as part of the Danny Perry Memorial Foundation) to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Rhode Island, in 2009. This past June, the tournament raised more than $5,000.
Perry’s involvement with the community also includes serving as an ambassador for the North Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Chamber’s Women in Business Council. She is also involved with United Way of Rhode Island and the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.
As if Perry isn’t busy enough, she still finds time to work towards her bachelor’s degree in communications at Rhode Island College. •
