A Message from West Baton Rouge Chamber Executive Director, Anna Johnson

  As we near the end of summer, the Chamber celebrates serving the community for over 36 years. The one constant since 1986 is that our focus remains solidly upon our team and our members. 

  I am so excited to be on this journey with you as your new Executive Director, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our community and our members for welcoming me with open arms, embracing my ideas, and making me feel as if I have known you all for years. You have invited me into your businesses, visited me at our office, and collaborated with me on initiatives that will move our community forward.

  As I look around and see the level of friendships formed, and community involvement, I am grateful for my Chamber team, our Board members and our partners who have created a fantastic following in this region. This all contributes to a healthy and happy atmosphere that helps everyone stay focused and motivated through the many busy periods throughout the year. We enjoy the strong relationships we have with our members, many dating back to the founding of the Chamber, and we make it a priority to stay engaged in your business and remain well-versed in the various industries that we serve. 

  Like all of you, I am monitoring the developments surrounding the plans of the new bridge. Since starting this position in January, that is the question I get asked almost daily. As it stands today, we are working diligently with our community partners to make sure that all of the infrastructure projects that come through our Parish will have minimal disruption to our local businesses. 

  We are also excited to welcome Ted James to our Chamber in July! Ted is a former State Representative, and currently sits as the Small Business Administrator for the Biden Administration for Region VI. As the Administrator, Ted oversees SBA programs, offices, and operations in the SBA’s South-Central region, serving Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Ted has been a dear friend and mentor to me over the years, and it is with his guidance and support that I have been able to navigate the impact of legislative changes and regulatory measures throughout my own career and civic involvement. West Baton Rouge’s own Rick Ward will also lead the welcome for our luncheon, and we are honored to have him help us introduce Ted to our Parish. I am excited to welcome him to our Small Business Summit to share his perspective on the market and provide guidance on how to progress business goals. 

  Our team will continue to strive to deliver effective and innovative solutions to our members and help deliver business success. I look forward to celebrating your wins, and I am excited to grow with you all.

Anna Johnson

Executive Director

The West Baton Rouge Parish Chamber is proud to announce its first annual Small Business Summit. This premier event is for Baton Rouge’s small business community and has been created to help small businesses address the challenges they are all facing as they begin to emerge from the pandemic and turn toward recovery.

The Small Business Summit will address the most important challenges facing the small business community as well as opportunities for growth. The event will present two speaker panels followed by lunch with keynote speaker, Edward “Ted” James, regional administrator for the Small Business Administration’s South Central region. 

If you own or manage a small business, you will want to attend this Summit and hear from local and state leaders on topics including:

• How to Start and Fund Your Business: This discussion is for businesses and individuals that are looking to start and fund their business. Our speakers will cover traditional and non-traditional lending, collateral programs, how to do a business plan and types of businesses.
• How to Grow Your Business Through Marketing: This discussion is for businesses that are looking for growth opportunities.
• Uncovering Mysteries of Procurement: As businesses focus on managing costs, finding the right vendors has become a top priority for procurement teams. Our panels will explore and uncover the mystery behind the procurement process, and how to select who is right for you.

Our Small Business Owners will explore these decision-making processes during a moderated panel discussion that features various experiences from:

• Trenton Gordon, Trenton Gordon Photography
• Paula Clayton, CC’s Coffee House
• Roland Gaudet, Citizens Bank
• Cassandra Allain, Benedetto's Supermarket, Hubben's Grocery, PoBoy House
• Justin Clouatre, Tri-Parish Contractors
• Stacie Keller, Bella Grace Paper & Gifts

Panel Moderator: Chelsey Blankenship

State Small Business Credit Initiative Programs Panel – Presented by Louisiana Economic Development

Speakers:

• Marissa Doin – Business Development Officer, LED
• Shamelda Pete, Business Development Officer, LED
• Kelly Raney, Business Development Manager, LED

The SSBCI credit-support programs offer a flexible, effective and efficient use of SSBCI funds by providing direct support for small business lending and investment. These proceeds can be used for business purposes including (but not limited to) working capital, equipment, term loan financing, purchase or construction of owner-occupied real-estate, and much more! If you are a Louisiana-based business with fewer than 100 employees and up to 500 employees, come learn about the different types of programs that you qualify for, the eligibility requirements and the benefits of each program.

Don't miss Garret Graves' visit to two of our West Baton Rouge small businesses!

SAVE THE DATE:

WBR CHAMBER AUGUST LUNCHEON WILL TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 17, 2022 WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER ADAM KNAPP, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BRAC