As the way we do business evolves over time, so do the tools we use. Today, products and services that didn’t exist 20 or 30 years ago are indispensable parts of our companies and commerce. That’s particularly true in the digital economy. “Word of mouth” has a whole new meaning. And power. Like, for example,…

Did you ever wonder  who scored that perfect 100th percentile on the A.C.T.? Meet Craig Gehring. Craig is a Baton Rouge native who got a perfect score on his ACT and has turned his genius, test-taking ability into one of the fastest-growing companies in the area. Mastery Prep started out preparing individual students for the…

Baton Rouge may not be the first place you think of in connection with high fashion. But there’s one notable exception: Haspel. It’s the company that invented the seersucker suit – more than a century ago. Today Haspel continues to redefine that classic staple of the southern wardrobe, while also designing  some of the trendiest…

Fifteen years ago, no had heard of an app. They didn’t exist. Today, there are more than 1.6 million of them available to download on your smart phone or tablet. And new ones are being designed every day. Apps are an integral part of commerce and communication in our digital age, and here in Baton…

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…