When you’re launching your own business, some of the first questions you have to ask yourself are, who is your target market? How are you going to differentiate yourself from the competition? Are you going to try to be all things to all people? Or go niche? Will you specialize in a certain area, or combine some of your talents and skills to appeal to a particular customer base? Getting these foundational questions wrong can be the difference between making it and being one of those 50 % of small businesses that fails in the first year.

Fritz Embaugh, founder and CEO of Baton Rouge’s Plus One Design and Construction, figured out nearly 20 years ago what he wanted his company to be.

Fritz Embaugh, migrating his company, Plus One Design and Construction, from residential to state and federal projects

Plus One provides turn-key services on commercial and residential projects – from architecture and design to planning to construction and project management. Among the firm’s varied portfolio are well known restaurant buildings – like Curbside Burgers and French Truck Coffee—churches, apartment complexes and renovations to the LSU Hilltop Arboretum.

Fritz is a licensed architect and general contractor, who started the firm in 2005, after more than a decade working with local architectural and construction companies. He is also a veteran of the Gulf War, where he served with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Chloe Eick, creating art and and an arts-based business with her company, Chloe Eick Art & Appraisals

Chloe Eick is founder of Chloe Eick Art and Appraisals, a Baton Rouge firm that provides appraisals of arts and antiques. Chloe is an artist herself, with talents in a variety of media. She founded the firm in 2023, after graduating from LSU and becoming a member of the International Society of Appraisers.

Fritz Embaugh, Stephanie Riegel, Chloe Eick, Out to Lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard

Out to Lunch is recorded live over lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard. Photos by Ian Ledo and Miranda Albarez.