NOLA.com / The Times Picayune
The fourth annual Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week will kick off in November with a host of programming aimed at showcasing innovation and best practices in entrepreneurship.
For the second year, BREW, happening Nov. 17-23, will be a collaborative effort, with several organizations sponsoring events for entrepreneurs at several stages of their careers, instead of one centralized organizing group.
Events will range from youth pitch competitions and business breakfasts to a session on branding businesses and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s daylong Big Think program filled with a variety of events.
“We will showcase to entrepreneurs how successful growth works and how other entrepreneurs got there,” said Lauren Hatcher, BRAC spokeswoman. “We’re excited to be in the middle of so many other exciting entrepreneurial events that will really complement others.”
Big Think, along with BRAC’s regional stakeholders’ breakfast presenting a Capital Region economic outlook of the next one to three years will be among the centerpiece events at BREW 2014. Others include this year’s pitch night, which will hold the BREW brand and will be organized by David Ogwyn, partner at Ogwyn Bonaventure, LLC law firm and College District/Tiger District founder and Baton Rouge entrepreneur Jared Loftus.
Hatcher said among the most unique events will be the Positively Powerful Women’s Morning, hosted by Melinda Stallings, owner of Houston-based Impact Leadership, LLC and current adjunct professor in LSU’s continuing education program. The event will include three internationally experienced speakers who will discuss educating, engaging and energizing women using a positive approach.
Other BREW 2014 events will include:
What Big Brands Know: Simple, Powerful Strategies to Ignite Growth in Your Business A one-time marketing executive at four billion-dollar brands, Gerry O’ Brion will talk marketing for all businesses. “Guests will learn simple, powerful strategies to increase sales and ignite word of mouth for their products and services, along with five critical steps to attracting more of their ideal customers,” the program schedule says. Location: L’Auberge Casino and Hotel, Baton Rouge Time: 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Register online.
LSU’s Annual 90-Second Student Pitch Competition Students pitch their business ideas to local entrepreneurs and faculty judges and the top three contestants qualify for a chance to win an iPad Mini and other prizes. Location: Business Residential Complex, Louisiana State University, Nicholson Extension, Classroom 1420, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Time: Doors open at 6 p.m. Hosted by: LSU’s Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization and the LBTC Student Incubator
What To Do When the Bank Tells You No A round table discussion featuring Chris Reid and David Cortez. Location: The Lyceum Ballroom, Baton Rouge Time: 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
LSU’s Breakfast to Business: My Entrepreneurship Journey Featuring Monique Breaux, Principal Designer with POSH Exclusive Interiors, William McGehee, Founder of Tin Roof Brewing Co., Caryn W. Roland, Owner of Heirloom Cuisine, LLC, and Kolby Tullier, Owner of Body Mechanics Training. Location: LSU Education Complex, Room 1615 Time: 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Register online.