Technology has enabled us to accomplish all sorts of things that we never thought possible. And it’s not only world-renowned experts in Silicon Valley who are accomplishing these feats. Scientists and engineers right here in South Louisiana are creating amazing technologies and products, and building successful businesses around them. Craig Billings is co-owner of Acadian…

Though the world of retail fashion has changed dramatically in the last 20 years, the art of good salesmanship never changes. And it continues to be the key to many a successful business. Hans Sternberg is something of an expert on this topic. For 30 years Hans had a successful career in retail with his…

When you sit down to search the internet for something, you’ve probably noticed the advertisers vying for your attention. What you may not be aware of is that all those helpful blogs and lists of 10 things you gotta know are often carefully crafted marketing pieces designed to draw you in. And, eventually, sell you…

Real estate is one of the largest sectors of the Baton Rouge economy. In the world of Baton Rouge real estate you don’t get any bigger than Mike Wampold. Over the past three decades Mike’s Wompald Companies has established itself as the premier developer in Baton Rouge, with a portfolio that includes an extraordinary list of apartments,…

Sports today is big business in the United States, and Baton Rouge is no exception. Since 2006, sporting events that have been lured here over have generated an economic impact of more than $304m.   Stephanie’s guests on Out to Lunch are two of the leading lights growing Baton Rouge’s sports sector. Pat Fellows is…

To be a great city you have to have great performing arts organizations. For nearly 70 years, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra has been delighting audiences in the Capital Region with performances that rival those found in any major market in America. The organization’s Executive Director is Cary Byrd. Cary started out as a French…

Next time you’re in a hotel room with a little coffee maker, take a look at the individual coffee pod. There’s a good chance it came from right here in Baton Rouge, headquarters of Pod Pack International. The local company manufactures  and distributes single cup brewing solutions – not only for hotels, but for offices,…

Sometimes what makes a business interesting is not so much what it does as much as how it does it. Today, the internet and mobile platforms make it possible to do business in all sorts of new ways. Then again, the digital era has also made it possible for savvy entrepreneurs to improve on age-old…

In today’s high tech world, we’re increasingly isolated from one another. And yet, in some ways it’s easier than ever to make connections. On this edition of Out to Lunch, Stephanie Riegel introduces two guests who are helping us connect. One, through an app that brings people together; the other, through an organization that helps…

It is not unusual for entrepreneurs to tell you that the single biggest attribute you need to succeed in business is “passion.” Even if you’ve heard that a thousand times you won’t fully appreciate what it means till you hear the business tales of Todd Graves and Brandon Landry. These two homegrown Baton Rouge entrepreneurs…