Louisiana SBDC at LSU Alexandria

06/24/2026

We’re proud to feature Katy, an accounting instructor at LSU Alexandria and a licensed Certified Public Accountant, as the facilitator for our upcoming Mid-Year Tax Check-In for Small Businesses on June 30.

Katy brings over 10 years of experience in public accounting, with a background spanning auditing, client advisory services, and taxation across multiple industries. In addition to teaching full-time at LSUA, she continues to serve a small client base, keeping her work grounded in real-world application.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and MBA before becoming a licensed CPA in 2020. Beyond the numbers, Katy is passionate about mentorship, professional development, and creating engaging learning environments where participants can ask questions, collaborate, and walk away with practical tools they can actually use.

✨ If you’ve been putting off getting your finances organized, this is a session you don’t want to miss.

📅 Join us June 30 from 12–1 PM
💻 No cost & online—reserve your spot today! https://www2.lsbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=21460062

06/22/2026

📊 Mid-Year Tax Check-In for Small Businesses is almost here!
Don’t wait until tax season to figure things out!

Join us on June 30 from 12–1 PM for a practical, no-fluff virtual session designed to help you take control of your finances.

In this training, you’ll learn how to:
✔ Review year-to-date income & expenses
✔ Improve your recordkeeping systems
✔ Track expenses more effectively
✔ Identify potential tax liabilities (before they surprise you)
✔ Stay compliant and plan ahead

✅ Perfect for startup & small business owners looking to stay organized and make smarter financial decisions.

💻 Online | No cost to attend
🔗 Reserve your spot today! https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=21460062

LSUA College of Business Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC)

06/22/2026

Looking to position your business for future growth opportunities?

The Source Louisiana Accelerator Program helps Louisiana companies strengthen their capabilities through expert-led workshops, business self-assessments, networking opportunities, and direct connections to projects across the state.

As part of our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses across Central Louisiana, the LSBDC at LSUA is proud to share resources like this that can help businesses become more competitive and prepared for new opportunities.

Interested in learning more? Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/slap

06/02/2026

Not every funding opportunity is looking for an idea. Some are looking for a solution that’s ready to move.

Louisiana’s new Rural Tech Catalyst Fund is designed for companies with healthcare-related products or services that can be deployed in rural communities within the next 180 days. That could include telehealth, healthcare access solutions, medical logistics, chronic disease support, digital health tools, and more.

This is not targeted toward businesses in the idea stage. As LED’s Josh Fleig explained:
“We need companies that have a product or service that can be deployed in the next 180 days.”

The program could provide:
• Grants or investments starting at $250,000
• Funding for pilots, expansion, and implementation
• Opportunities for companies working in Louisiana’s rural healthcare space

If your company already has a working solution and is ready to scale, this may be worth exploring quickly. Applications are now open, and the state is working on an accelerated timeline.

Learn more about the fund and eligibility here: https://rtcf.la.io/

For innovative businesses operating in healthcare, technology, logistics, or service delivery — especially those focused on solving real rural challenges — this is one to watch.

Louisiana Economic Development U.S. Small Business Administration

06/01/2026

This week, small business owners across Louisiana are building skills, asking questions, and investing in their next stage of growth. 💼

From understanding QuickBooks and financing to improving marketing, social media strategy, AI tools, and legal risk management, these trainings are designed to help business owners strengthen the day-to-day operations that support long-term success.

This week’s sessions include:
• Managing Your Business with QuickBooks
• Using Social Media with Purpose
• Starting and Financing Your Business
• AI for Marketing: Create Content that Attracts and Converts
• Business Legal Needs: Mitigating Liability to Third Parties

You don’t need a business degree to build a stronger business — just a willingness to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.
To see all training and register, click here:
https://www2.lsbdc.org/events.aspx?layout=3


U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana Economic Development

05/26/2026

This week’s trainings are all about working smarter, communicating better, and showing up where your customers already are.

From handling tough conversations to improving cash flow and using AI to create video content without ever being on camera, these sessions are built for real small business needs.

This week includes:
• Get on Video and Get it Everywhere - May 27, 1:00-2:00 PM
• Conflict Resolution – May 28, 9:00-11:00 AM
• Cash Flow Management 101 – May 28, 10:00 AM-11:30 PM
• Create Faceless Videos Your Customers Are Already Searching For – May 28, 1:00-2:00 PM
• Get on Video Without Getting on Camera – May 29, 1:00-2:00 PM

If you’ve been thinking about using video, improving your finances, or just getting more confident in daily business conversations, this is a good week to plug in.

👉 Register now and save your spot https://www2.lsbdc.org/Events.aspx?mode=1&area=Alexandria+%26+Central+Louisiana&zip=&miles=25¢er=18019&topicnum=0&format=2&days=90&sort=M&layout=0

05/22/2026

The LSBDC at LSUA will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day as we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. 🇺🇸

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 26.

05/22/2026

Yesterday, the LSBDC at LSUA had the opportunity to partner with the Grant Parish Chamber of Commerce and Jennifer Nichols for an engaging small business roundtable discussion focused on the marketing challenges facing small-town businesses.

Local entrepreneurs and business owners came together to share ideas, discuss real-world obstacles, and collaborate on ways to better connect with customers and grow their presence in their communities. Conversations like these are important because small businesses are the backbone of our local economies, and creating spaces for open dialogue and shared learning helps strengthen those communities.

We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to attend, participate, and contribute to the discussion. A special thank you to the Grant Parish Chamber of Commerce for collaborating with us to make this training possible, to Jennifer Nichols for taking time to share valuable marketing insight and expertise with attendees, and to the Grant Parish Library for sharing your space with us.

It was a pleasure coordinating a training like this for the community, and we look forward to hosting more events like this here and throughout other communities we serve.

Grant Parish Chamber of Commerce
Visual Concepts & Designs

05/21/2026

Congratulations to this team!

🏆 Congratulations to the LSBDC at Southeastern Louisiana University on receiving the 2026 Excellence & Innovation Center Award at Spotlight Louisiana!

This recognition reflects more than numbers: it highlights a team that has worked intentionally to rebuild, reconnect, and strengthen its presence throughout the Northshore region.

Through the leadership and dedication of Wayne Ricks, Dillon Sullivan, Raynard Francois, and Karen Romero, the Southeastern LSBDC has focused on renewing relationships, expanding outreach, and creating meaningful connections with the small business community they serve.

Their commitment to collaboration, growth, and supporting entrepreneurs continues to make a lasting impact across the region. Congratulations to an outstanding team on this recognition!

05/20/2026

⏰ Plan for the What-Ifs

More customers sounds like a win… until it isn’t. Sometimes demand spikes faster than you expect, and what used to feel like success can start to feel like stress.

💡 Try this:
Ask yourself—“If demand doubled next week, what would break first?”

A few small steps like inventory buffers, cross-training, and simple “busy day” plans can help your business handle growth without losing control.

Prepared businesses don’t just grow—they scale.