In historical Britain the three estates of the realm were the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.  The Fourth Estate is a segment of society that wields an indirect but significant influence on society, even though it is not a formally recognized part of the political system. The most commonly recognized part of the fourth estate is the news media. However,…

We like to think of south Louisiana as the food capital of the world, and, certainly we’re known for our cuisine, but just because someone knows how to prepare good food doesn’t mean they know how to turn their culinary talent into a successful restaurant, catering operation or food-related venture. Stephanie’s guests on this edition…

Romance is the spice of life. It’s also a key to the success of certain businesses that are built on hearts and flowers, literally.   Buzzy Heroman is a fourth-generation florist in Baton Rouge and the owner of Billy Heroman’s Flowers, which has three stores in the area. The store was founded by his parents,…

So many of us dream when we’re kids of coming up with a really cool invention. Not many of us realize that dream. How do you turn a great idea into a product that could change the world? And how do you make money from new inventions and technologies?  Stephanie’s guests on this edition of…

It’s pretty well agreed that the early years of development are fundamental in shaping a child’s future. That extends from playground to classroom, to career choices. If you want to Cultivate a culture where kids can see themelves as entrepreneurs you have to start early. That’s what Lemonade Day is all about. It’s a nationwide…

The old saying “A man’s home is his castle” has never been more true than today. It’s no longer not just enough to provide shelter for yourself and your family, we also want to create a space that reflects our style in which we can live, work, and play. And that also looks really impressive….

If you haven’t heard of a “Maker Space” you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years. “Maker” is one of the trendy buzzwords to enter the vernacular of late, and maker spaces are popping up in schools, universities and communities around the country. But what does it mean to be a maker?…

Whether you’re starting a business or growing a business, one of the biggest challenges you face is access to capital. Where do you find investors? How do you get a loan? It’s a problem that is not at all unique to Baton Rouge, but in a mid-sized city like ours it can be particularly challenging…

It’s cool enough to have one successful entrepreneur in a family. What happens when you have two? Stephanie’s guests on this edition of Out to Lunch have a unique perspective on the topic of love and business. Greg Milneck is president and owner of Digital FX, which produces commercials and feature films, as well as…

Technology has created challenges and opportunities for businesses. Some companies have had to totally reinvent themselves to remain relevant. Others, well, just invent an app.   Patricia Brignac Talbot’s business would belong in the former category. When her dad started the business, now called Baton Rouge Digital Products, back in 1955, copying documents was a…