Louisiana Small Business Awards 2023 Celebrates Entrepreneurial Resilience and Diversity, Baton Rouge Leaders Honored
All products recommended by Bizreport are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The Louisiana Capitol Park Museum was abuzz last week as the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the U.S. Small Business Administration honored business owners and supporters at the 2023 Louisiana Small Business Awards ceremony. The event celebrated the entrepreneurial resilience and diversity that drives the state’s economy, with a special focus on four Baton Rouge business leaders recognized for their entrepreneurial excellence.
LED Secretary Don Pierson’s Gratitude
LED Secretary Don Pierson expressed his gratitude to the small business owners, stating in a prepared statement that the awards honored people who “exemplify Louisiana’s entrepreneurial resilience.” In 2022, LED and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Network served 15,786 small businesses and individuals, resulting in 1,047 new jobs, 1,460 retained jobs, and the launch of 160 new businesses representing over $97 million in capital formation.
Baton Rouge Award Recipients
The Baton Rouge award recipients included Craig Stevens, founder of Genesis 360, who was named Veteran Small Business Champion; Ada Womack-Bell, director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University, who received the SBDC Excellence & Innovation Center Award; Sherilyn Hayward, owner of Leroy’s Lipsmack’n Lemonade, who was honored as the LED Small and Emerging Business of the Year; and Lakeisha Robichaux, CEO of Chief of Minds, who won the LED Outstanding Small and Emerging Business Development Graduate Award.
Governor John Bel Edwards’ Acknowledgment
Governor John Bel Edwards acknowledged the challenges faced by businesses in recent years in a video address, saying, “Sustaining business stability and growth has never been more challenging than in these last few years.” He congratulated the Small Business Award recipients for their skill, determination, resourcefulness, and optimism, which embody the best of Louisiana’s business community.
Highlighting the Importance of Small Businesses
The awards ceremony highlighted the vital role small businesses play in Louisiana’s economy and the importance of supporting their growth and success, with a special emphasis on the achievements of Baton Rouge’s entrepreneurial leaders
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
+ 3 sources
Bizreport Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Bizreport, you can read more about the editorial process here.
-
2023 Louisiana Small Business Award Winners Honored at Capitol Park Ceremony. www.opportunitylouisiana.gov. Published May 4, 2023. Accessed May 12, 2023. https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/led-news/news-releases/news/2023/05/04/2023-louisiana-small-business-award-winners-honored-at-capitol-park-ceremony
-
Narveson DB. Four Baton Rouge small business leaders honored with awards. Baton Rouge Business Report. Published May 11, 2023. Accessed May 12, 2023. https://www.businessreport.com/business/four-baton-rouge-small-business-leaders-honored-with-awards
-
Gov. John Bel Edwards delivers his last “state of the state” address. KATC News. Published April 10, 2023. Accessed May 12, 2023. https://www.katc.com/news/covering-louisiana/gov-john-bel-edwards-delivers-his-last-state-of-the-state-address