Life does not always unfold in a straight line. Sometimes we have to make turns that we didn’t expect or that require major adjustments. One such turning point comes for military veterans when they leave the service and have to find their way in the civilan world. Another point comes when we realize we need to transiotion form an independent life to one that might require a little more TLC. 

Charlie D’Agostino is executive director of LSU’s Innovation Park, a dedicated complex for research commercialization that consists of five business incubators and a host of business and technological resources to help budding entrepreneurs get off the ground. Charlie is Stephanie’s guest on Out to LUnch today to talk about a new program he recently launched with the Office of Veterans Affairs, Louisiana Economic Development, and Gov John Bel Edwards’s office. It’s a program to help military veterans learn how to start their own businesses, consisting of online training and a day-and-a-half-long bootcamp. 

Regina Hatcher is director of The Blake at The Grove, one of Baton Rouge’s newest and most cutting edge elder communities with independent living, assisted living and memory care.  A shining example of a high-demand residence in a rapidly growing sector of the economy, The Blake at The Grove is situated within the 118-acre neighborhood development located just off I-10 behind the Mall of Louisiana. It offers upscale retail stores, restaurants, multiple housing, and options, and a full service hotel, not to mention pedestrian and bike paths. This is not your grandmother’s old folks home. Regina rings years of experience to The Blake at The Grove. She previous was executive director at Sunrise assisted living. 

Photos by Ken Stewart at Mansurs on the Boulevard.