Nearly 50% of Louisiana’s land mass is covered by forest. That’s a whopping 14 million acres of tress. And these tress aren’t just sitting there beautifying the countryside, they’re hard at work. The forestry industry in Louisiana is the state’s second-largest employer. And there’s a huge private sector in the world of woods as well. …

In South Louisiana folks often say we we don’t eat to live, we live to eat. Stephanie’s guests on this edition of Out to Lunch have taken that Louisiana passion for food and turned it into business enterprises. Ryan McNeil is the founder and co-owner of Fresh Kitchen, a growing company that sells freshly prepared,…

Sight, sound and tatse are three of our five senses. They’re also the raison d’ewtre of three very different Baton Rouge businesses. SoundIf you spent any time by the pool or at the beach this summer you might have encountered products made by Audio Bomb. The Baton Rouge company makes portable, waterproof, inexpensive, audio equipment….

We may have heat and mosquitos in Baton Rouge, but we’re also blessed to have beautiful surroundings and lush greenery everywhere. Much of the old growth and verdant landscaping is a natural part of the flora and fauna here in south Louisiana, but much of it is cultivated through hard work and attention to detail….

Baton Rouge has a bustling economy and plenty of entrepreneurs with great ideas, but baton Rouge doesn’t have an ecosystem for entrepreneurs. Whether it’s a culture, a lack of capital, or a little of both, Stephanie’s guests on Out to Lunch each have a unique perspective on what it will take to build a better…

Hansel Harlan has taken the hook-fanged scourge of Louisiana’s disappearing wetlands and turned it into a dog’s best friend. Hansel is the co-founder of Marsh Dog, creators of doggy treats in the form of biscuits and jerky, made out of nutria.  If you think giving your dog nutria treats is a little unusual, meet Niki…

One thing you hear a lot from people who come to Baton Rouge after having been a way for awhile is how different it is. How much the city has grown, improved, and special mention is most often made about the rebirth of downtown and revitalization in other up-and-coming neighborhoods. All this redevelopment didn’t happen…

Whether you live in Baton Rouge, work in Baton Rouge or just pass through Baton Rouge every now and then, you have experienced the Capital Region’s notorious gridlock. Baton Rouge ranks among the very worst mid-sized cities in the nation for traffic congestion. Business leaders last year in a Chamber survey listed traffic as the…

In the age of Internet shopping, retail is an increasingly difficult way to make a living. When shoppers don’t care if you’re local and, no matter where they live, want current fashion and accessories at a fair price, how does a local business compete? Scott Berg says it starts with service. Scott has other strategies too,…

Many of us have a creative streak, or like to think we do, but for most of us it remains an outlet, a hobby. Some of us, though, have the courage and the determination to turn our creative passion into a business enterprise – even if only a small one. It can be a dream…