Louisiana SBDC at LSU Alexandria

Louisiana SBDC at LSU Alexandria Helping Central Louisiana small businesses grow with no-cost consulting, training & resources.

07/17/2026

Are sales up, but profits still not where they should be?

Join us for Finding Hidden Profit: How to Identify and Fix Profit Leaks in Your Business and learn practical strategies to uncover where money may be slipping through the cracks and how to improve your bottom line.

July 23, 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Ugly Mug Marketing HQ | 325 DeSoto St., Alexandria, La

Register now: https://share.google/vgi2TAssIab9viIgt

That's a wrap on today's Launch. Grow. Thrive. event with the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce!We had the ...
07/16/2026

That's a wrap on today's Launch. Grow. Thrive. event with the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce!

We had the opportunity to spend the day with an incredible group of entrepreneurs who are investing in themselves and their businesses. The afternoon session, Scaling with Confidence, focused on helping business owners prepare for sustainable growth by building strong systems, strengthening operations, and making strategic decisions for the future.

Growing a business isn't just about working harder, it's about working smarter, creating processes that can grow with you, and having the confidence to take the next step.

A special thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversations throughout the day!

A big thank you to the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce for collaborating with us!

We wrapped up this morning’s session of our Launch. Launch. Grow. Thrive. event in partnership with the Central Louisian...
07/16/2026

We wrapped up this morning’s session of our Launch. Launch. Grow. Thrive. event in partnership with the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce!

It was a pleasure connecting with local entrepreneurs and hearing valuable insights from Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) Associate State Director, Heidi Melancon, on what it takes to start and build a successful business.

Next up: Scaling with Confidence.

Central Louisiana is full of dreamers, doers, and business builders, and we're just getting started.

Let's geaux!

07/15/2026

HAPPENING TOMORROW, July 16!

Thinking about starting a business, or taking your current one to the next level?

Join us tomorrow for a full day of practical small business education, networking, and no-cost business consulting at the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Whether you're still developing an idea, preparing to launch, or looking to grow an established business, our team is bringing the tools, resources, and expertise to help you move forward with confidence.

✅ Learn how to validate your business idea and build a strong foundation
✅ Discover ways to strengthen operations and prepare for growth
✅ Connect with LSBDC consultants for personalized guidance
✅ Attend at no cost

📍 Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce
📅 Thursday, July 16, 2026

Morning Workshop (9:30–10:30 a.m.)
🏁 From Idea to Open: Building a Business with a Strong Foundation

No-Cost Business Counseling (10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
💬 No appointment required

Afternoon Workshop (2:00–4:00 p.m.)
📈 Scaling with Confidence

Don't spend months trying to figure it out alone. Come learn, ask questions, and leave with actionable next steps for your business.

🔗 Register for From Idea to Open:
https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=21460067
🔗 Register for Scaling with Confidence:
https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=21460068

Meet Bonnie White and John Robertson, the visionaries behind Hemingway House of Stories and Spirits, a distinctive books...
07/10/2026

Meet Bonnie White and John Robertson, the visionaries behind Hemingway House of Stories and Spirits, a distinctive bookstore, coffeehouse, and spirits bar in the heart of Pineville, La that's bringing people together through stories, conversation, and community.

What began as a dream to create a welcoming space where guests could slow down and connect has become a thriving destination that blends literary charm with handcrafted beverages, curated meals, and local culture. From open mic nights and poetry readings to community gatherings and book signings, Hemingway House is quickly becoming a place where creativity and connection flourish.
As first-time business owners, Bonnie and John partnered with the LSBDC at LSUA for guidance throughout the startup process. With one-on-one consulting and support, they successfully launched Hemingway House of Stories & Spirits and brought their vision to life.

"Britni Lilley and the LSBDC were instrumental in helping us bring Hemingway House of Stories and Spirits to life. As first-time business owners, we truly couldn't have done it without their guidance, support, and belief in our vision. If you're thinking about starting a business, make LSBDC your first call."

Helping entrepreneurs turn their vision into reality is exactly why we're here. Congratulations to Bonnie and John! We're proud to have been part of your journey and can't wait to see what the next chapter holds.

Follow them on their social platforms to stay in-the-know and visit their website at https://bit.ly/4y9FGQZ .

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is building products, services, and marketing strategies based on assumption...
07/07/2026

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is building products, services, and marketing strategies based on assumptions instead of real customer insights.

Whether you're starting a business, launching a new product, entering a new market, or looking to grow an existing company, market research can help you make smarter decisions and reduce risk.

Before you invest more time and money, ask yourself:
✅ Is there actual demand for my product or service?
✅ Who is most likely to buy from me?
✅ What problems are my customers trying to solve?
✅ Who are my competitors—and what are they doing well?
✅ What can I do differently to stand out?
✅ Is my pricing realistic for the market?

Join us for our Market Research Training and learn how to:
✔️ Validate your business idea
✔️ Identify your ideal customer
✔️ Understand your competition
✔️ Discover market opportunities
✔️ Use market data to make more informed business decisions
The strongest businesses aren't built on assumptions—they're built on understanding their customers.

📅 Tomorrow, July 8 | 11:30am
🎟️ No-cost Training | Registration Required

Register today and take the guesswork out of growing your business. https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=21460055

🚀 Whether you're starting a business or growing one, you don't have to figure it out alone.Do you have questions about:✅...
07/06/2026

🚀 Whether you're starting a business or growing one, you don't have to figure it out alone.

Do you have questions about:
✅ Starting a business the right way?
✅ Understanding your startup costs?
✅ Finding customers and growing sales?
✅ Managing cash flow and profitability?
✅ Getting your business ready for financing?
✅ Building systems that support growth?

Join the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at LSUA and the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce on July 16 for a full day of business education and no-cost counseling designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners move forward with confidence.

📈 Aspiring Entrepreneurs & Startups
Learn how to turn your idea into a business with our morning workshop, From Idea to Open: Building a Business with a Strong Foundation.
📊 Established Business Owners
Discover practical strategies for growth, financial management, and operational efficiency during Scaling with Confidence.
🤝 No-Cost, One-on-One Business Counseling
Meet directly with LSBDC professionals from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to discuss your business goals, challenges, and opportunities.
No registration required for counseling.

📅 Thursday, July 16
📍 Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce
1118 Third Street, Alexandria

The best business decisions are made with the right information, resources, and support. Let us help you take the next step.

🔗 Register for the training sessions:
> From Idea to Open: Building a Business with a Strong Foundation: https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=21460067
> Scaling with Confidence: https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=21460068

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at LSUA is closed today, July 3, in observance of the Independence Day h...
07/03/2026

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at LSUA is closed today, July 3, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

Our office will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 6.

We wish you and your family a safe, happy, and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend!

❤️🤍💙

Rumor has it someone wanted to make a bold statement about where Central Louisiana entrepreneurs and small business owne...
07/02/2026

Rumor has it someone wanted to make a bold statement about where Central Louisiana entrepreneurs and small business owners can go for support. 👀

We can neither confirm nor deny any involvement...

But we can confirm we're here to help Central Louisiana entrepreneurs start, grow, and thrive.

www.louisianasbdc.org

Address

8100 Highway 71 South Chambers Hall 102
Alexandria, LA
71301

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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