Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Wilson.
Hi Stephen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Through high school and college, I worked in the restaurant business for about 15 years, with my last post at Outback Steakhouse. Those years taught me far more than just food service. I learned how to communicate, serve others, and care for the needs of both guests and a large staff. I also gained hands-on experience with core business skills like P&L management, scheduling, and leadership.
From there, some friends and I had met working at Outback and we launched an environmental engineering and consulting business. We started with just four employees, and over nearly 25 years grew it to almost 40 people across four locations. Along the way, we became an industry leader in the air emissions testing space, helping clients meet critical regulatory and environmental standards.
Today, those two chapters in hospitality and environmental consulting shape the way I approach business. They taught me that growth comes from clarity, service, and leadership. It is that same philosophy that drives the work my wife Betsy and I are doing now with WSI Wilson Group, helping businesses grow intentionally through strategy-first marketing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a straight or smooth road. In the restaurant business I learned quickly that success often comes in the middle of chaos. Managing a large staff, long hours, and the pressure of delivering a great experience every night taught me resilience and patience.
Starting and growing the environmental consulting firm brought a whole new set of challenges. We had to build credibility in a highly technical industry, stay ahead of changing regulations, and manage the demands of scaling from a small team to multiple offices. There were plenty of setbacks along the way, but each one reinforced the importance of persistence, adaptability, and keeping the bigger picture in mind.
Now, with WSI Wilson Group, one of the biggest struggles has been building a new business in a crowded digital marketing space while staying true to our strategy-first philosophy. It is easy to feel pressure to say “yes” to everything, but we have learned that the right path is focusing on clarity, purpose, and long-term impact for our clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about WSI Digital Marketing – Wilson Group?
At WSI Wilson Group, we help businesses grow by aligning marketing with business goals. As part of the global WSI network, we bring proven systems and resources, but as a locally owned firm in North Atlanta we deliver personal, relationship-driven service.
What sets us apart is that we are strategy-first. Before we recommend a single tactic, we help our clients get clear on their Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), understand their Buyer Journey, and map out the right mix of marketing activities that will actually move the needle. Too often, businesses jump into websites, ads, or SEO without knowing who they are trying to reach or how buyers make decisions. We change that by putting strategy at the front of the process.
Our services include strategy and branding, website design, AI – Search Everywhere Optimization and local SEO, paid advertising, email marketing, and social media and event promotion. But what makes those services work is that they are grounded in strategy. When you know your ICP, align content and campaigns with each stage of the Buyer Journey, and measure what matters, marketing stops being random and starts being powerful.
We specialize in professional services, home services, franchises, industrial and environmental companies. Those are industries we know deeply and where we’ve seen this approach have the most impact.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that we are known for authenticity, clarity, and helping clients think differently about their business. We are not here to sell one-off campaigns. We are here to partner with business owners who want sustainable, measurable growth through intentional, strategy-driven marketing.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is a mix of family, community, and meaningful work. At the center of it all is my family. Spending time with my wife and business partner Betsy, watching my son compete in soccer, and seeing my daughter pursue her own path and passions remind me what all the hard work is for and keep me grounded in what matters most.
I stay active with groups like the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Roswell Inc., and Alpharetta Business Association. Those connections are a big part of what makes me happy because they are more than just networking. For me, it is about making meaningful connections, supporting other business owners, and serving the local business community. I get the most fulfillment when I can contribute to conversations, share resources, or help someone else move forward in their journey.
That spirit of service also connects back to my family. As a husband and dad, I want to model for my kids that success is not just about what you achieve, but also about how you give back and lift others up. Being able to live those values at home and in the community makes everything we do even more meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: wilsongroup.wsiworld.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/wsiwilsongroup/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wsi.wilsongroup
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-s-wilson/
