WE BUILD COMMUNITIES

America’s SBDCs help make the dream of small business ownership a reality for more Americans — creating jobs and opportunities that build communities throughout the nation.

See how the Louisiana SBDC has served its communities.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Small Business Training Underway for Northeast Louisiana

Louisiana Small Business Development Center and Delta Community College collaborate to train entrepreneurs in rural Louisiana.

UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

With the support of the LSBDC at Southern University in Baton Rouge, SBA enhanced our Historically Black College and University (HBCU) initiative whereby we worked with all four HBCUs in Louisiana.

Jo Ann Lawrence, Deputy District Director, SBA Louisiana District Office

ACCELERATORS + INCUBATORS

Somnio Technology Solutions finds business home with help of SBDC

The LSBDC at Southeastern Louisiana University is housed in the Southeast Louisiana Business Center, which serves as a business working space and incubator for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Camilo Martinez, owner of Somnio Technology Solutions, shared how he appreciates the incubator. "I can come and work and have like real office hours, he said. "They also have great internet connection for me which is very important for my technology company."

EXPORT

Global Trade Initiative for Louisiana

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center, Southern University and A&M College, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) collaborated to host a Global Trade Initiative for small business owners in the State of Louisiana. The event took place on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

MILLENNIALS + GEN-Z

SBDC helps host YEA! Northshore

The Northshore chapter of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, known as 'YEA! Northshore', is a leadership program for 6-12th graders that is offered at the university. The year-long program was designed to transform students into young entrepreneurs while giving them business and communication skills. William Joubert, LSBDC at Southeastern Louisiana University Center Director said the program is kind of a bootcamp approach." "We're pulling them through what it takes to start a company." he said."

TECH DEVELOPMENT

The LSBDC at Southern University has helped bring new and transformative opportunities to our small business clients. The strategic partnership with our Innovation Incubator has strengthened the resources provided to businesses.

Deanna Smith, Director of Strategic Engagement, Southern University Innovation Center

COVID-19 RESPONSE

LSBDC transforms lives and communities despite 2020 challenges

Federal Fiscal Year 2020 did not change the Louisiana SBDC mission, but it did influence how we fulfilled it due to COVID-19. The challenges we faced with COVID-19 actually created a lot of opportunities for us to get in front of our primary customer, Louisiana's small business owners. So much so, that we had a record year in capitalization at more than $100 million, helping businesses create 2,000 jobs, and increasing sales more than $18.5 million.

DISASTER RECOVERY

LSBDC visits Lake Charles after Hurricane Laura

Louisiana Small Business Development Center State Director Carla Holland and McNeese State Center Director Susan Thibodeaux visited with a small business client after Hurricane Laura devastated the Lake Charles area. The client's facility was severely damaged.

VETERANS

PAVE Program helps Louisiana veterans start small businesses

Pathway to Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs, or PAVE, is a partnership of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, Louisiana Economic Development, the Louisiana National Guard and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Network.

WOMEN- OWNED

The LSBDC has been a sounding board for me and has helped me crunch numbers. They have been an ally in growth.

Heather Degeyter, Bonne Vie Macarons in Lafayette, LA