Louisiana is dripping with unique culture and history. But packaging up the images, icons and natural resources that come from our land and its landscapes, and bottling and selling them takes a special kind of talent. Casey Delmont Johnson is the designer/director of Roux Brands, a nine year old wholesaler of home décor, gifts and…

In a state that claims as its motto “Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez,” it’s not surprising that what today are euphemistically called ‘adult beverages’ factor prominently in the culture. What is surprising is the growing number of distilleries and breweries based in south Louisiana – including right here in Baton Rouge – that are emerging…

Louisiana has a rich musical history, with New Orleans claiming to be the birthplace of jazz and Baton Rouge promoting its prominent role in the development of the blues.  But what is the state of the music scene today, and how do you make a living in the field locally?   Samuel Ricciuti is a…

Few subjects are nearer and dearer to hearts than babies and children. On this edition of Out to Lunch Stephanie talks with guests who are Baton Rouge and nationwide experts on delivering them and educating them.  Dr. Ryan Dickerson is the owner and medical director of The Birth Center of Baton Rouge, the only freestanding…

Necessity is the mother of invention. If you’ve spent any time in the kitchen, you’ve no doubt thought, more than once, about building a better gizmo or gadget to help you cook, clean or organize your kitchen. Perhaps you’ve even done it. But have you been able to get your invention before 250 million eyes…

Behind every successful business is a great idea, but just having a great idea doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. What are the keys to going from concept to successful operation? And what are some of the pitfalls? Stephanie Riegel’s guests on this edition of Out to Lunch have interesting perspectives on this topic. Trey Williams is…

Baton Rouge is a city that loves its sports. While Tiger Football dominates the headlines, baseball has a large following too, as do soccer and basketball. And there’s a vibrant and growing outdoor community, active in running, cycling, swimming and rowing. That homegrown passion for sports and athletics hasn’t just resulted in some of the most…

You don’t have to spend much time driving around Baton Rouge to notice that the local real estate economy is booming. New construction is going up in the residential, commercial, multifamily and office markets. Todd Waguespack has been in the industry for nearly two decades and is the managing partner for Level Homes, a residential…

As our economy has become more specialized, so have the consultants who come into our companies and help us improve performance, from the loading dock to the boardroom. In the digital economy it gets even more interesting: consulting firms don’t have to rely on local or regional clients. On this edition of Out to Lunch,…

People in most places eat to live. Here in south Louisiana we live to eat. For those who make their living in the culinary world that means the stakes are high and the competition intense. Daniel Thompson knows this only too well. He is the executive chef and co-owner of D’Agostino Pasta, a Baton Rouge-based…