The Secret to Starting Your Business

1302 Murray Street,Alexandria LA 71301

27 October, 2022

Description

Entrepreneurship is an important key to building the regional economy because it is entrepreneurs who turn ideas into business opportunities. Louisiana Central is committed to making this region a haven for entrepreneurial action through the Business Acceleration System. The Business Acceleration System is dedicated to speeding the development of entrepreneurs by helping them acquire and apply the knowledge they need to start and grow their companies. In this workshop you'll hear from three coaches. Three ACTUAL business owners. Three people that have stood where you're standing and want to share with you the secret to starting your business! Gary Perkins has been a small business owner since 1978. He worked in the restaurant industry while attending LSU, graduating with a BS in Microbiology in 1978. He bought his first restaurant, Louie’s Café, the same year. Gary Perkins has continued to be a serial entrepreneur, focusing on the restaurant industry, real estate, and healthcare. He is the co-founder of Wildwood Pizza, named by TripAdvisor as the 2019 #1 rated Pizza Restaurant in the state of Louisiana. He was named the Red River Bank Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2019 Chamber Bizzy Awards. Gary serves on the Board of the Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition. He has been involved in starting philanthropic athletic events including the Indian Creek Triathalon, Red River Run, Wild Azalea Challenge, Spirits-Lee Jay’s 5k, and the co-founding of Rapides Junior Runners. In 2006, started business coaching with the Entrepreneurship Initiative launched by The Rapides Foundation. Gary transitioned from coach to Executive Director in 2008. The Entrepreneurship Initiative uses a multi-faceted approach that includes coaching, expert technical assistance, and classroom and web-based instruction to deliver the right content at the right time. Since 2011, The Business Acceleration System has worked with over 470 business owners, and that group has increased its revenues by $225 million and created 1382 jobs, with out-of-region sales in excess of $500 million. His hobbies include working nights and weekends, earning money, and furthering the endless number of initiatives imagined by Louisiana Central. Linda is the owner and founder of Fundamentally Structured 357 LLC. After 45 years in the food service industry, she founded a new business. Fundamentally Structured 357 promotes entrepreneurial growth in rural areas. To assist her endeavors on this journey, she is publishing a book in which she give a simple, practical, motivational look at starting a business. A second book will follow that will guide entrepreneurs on what to do once the business has been established. Entrepreneurship can take a person on a “crazy” journey. JUSTICE SEEKER. SOCIAL ACTIVIST. CHANGE AGENT. Licensed attorney in the State of Louisiana (over 20 years)Solo practitioner in Alexandria, LA advising individuals, families, several governmental agencies, business entities, and community organizations.Former General Counsel under Governors Kathleen B. Blanco and Bobby Jindal for the State of Louisiana, Second Injury Board.Former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana, Department of JusticeFormer Judicial Clerk to the Honorable George C. Metoyer, Jr.Former leader in student government at Grambling State University1992 Honors Graduate of Peabody Magnet High School; 1996 Bachelor of Science (magna cum laude) Degree Recipient from Grambling State University; 1999 Juris Doctorate Recipient from Southern University Law Center Business Acceleration System is underwritten by The Rapides Foundation and supported by other funders over the course of time; therefore, Business Acceleration System does not charge entrepreneurs for courses such as this one.