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Meet the Changemaker: Lynn Wilson

Cherokee Nation Citizen | Microenterprise Development Manager, IDRS Acorn Project


When you talk with Lynn Wilson, you can feel her passion for helping others shine through every word. For more than twenty years, she’s been a steady force for good in the world of entrepreneurship—helping small businesses grow, creating opportunities for Native artisans, and reminding everyone that success doesn’t have to mean losing your cultural roots.



Since 2013, Lynn has led the IDRS Acorn Project, a program that provides free, personalized support for Indigenous entrepreneurs across the country. Whether she’s teaching a workshop on Etsy, helping someone file their business taxes for the first time, or brainstorming a cultural marketing plan, Lynn brings both expertise and empathy to the table.

“Our mission is simple,” Lynn says. “We empower Native-owned businesses to thrive—without ever asking them to let go of who they are.”

That mission has made a real difference. Funded by federal and state grants, the Acorn Project has helped hundreds of Native entrepreneurs across the U.S., including many within the Cherokee Nation, access business tools and training they might otherwise never have found.


The program’s support goes far beyond spreadsheets and marketing plans. It’s about building confidence, fostering community, and celebrating Native innovation. Lynn’s work also connects directly to the Indigenous Artisans Collective, an online marketplace where Native makers can share their work and stories with customers around the world.


If you’ve ever dreamed of launching your own Native-owned business—or taking an existing one to the next level—Lynn and her team at the Acorn Project are ready to help.


💼 Start with a free consultation: idrsacornproject.questionpro.com

🛒 Shop Native artisans: NativeBiz.org/shopnative

📲 Follow the Acorn Project: @idrsacornproject


Wado, Lynn, for your dedication to helping Native entrepreneurs thrive and for showing us all what it means to lead with purpose and heart.


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