Meet Laurie Aronson
Occupation: President & CEO
Organization: Lipsey’s
What does your organization do?
Lipsey’s is a wholesale firearms distribution company selling to over 14,000 federally licensed retailers across the country. We are one of the nation’s largest distributors and represent all the major manufacturers.
Haspel is our men’s clothing brand which started in New Orleans in 1909. Haspel is known for originating the seersucker suit. The collection is comprised of tailored clothing, sportswear, and accessories for men and is sold online. We are known for “Occasion Dressing” and clothing meant for a good time.
What are some advantages of being located/doing business in the Capital Region?
Our family has always operated its businesses out of Baton Rouge. The biggest asset we have are our team members who have joined our company over the past several decades. Because the vast majority of our business is conducted outside of the Baton Rouge Area, we could locate our business just about anywhere. However, it’s our TEAM that keeps us here and nowhere else in the country can replicate the culture we have here.
Why did you decide to invest in BRAC?
The BRAC team is comprised of forward-thinking professionals who know how to execute a well-thought-out plan. They are passionate about moving Baton Rouge forward and they are a great resource for attracting talent from around the country.
What would you say to companies contemplating joining BRAC?
The future of our great city depends on new businesses moving to Baton Rouge and growing the ones we have. We cannot become complacent and think that we will flourish if we do not encourage economic growth.
What do you anticipate for your company in the next five years? For the Capital Region?
Although we built a new facility almost five years ago, we expect to expand our footprint once again if our growth continues at its pace. The Mayor-President’s MovEBR initiative, that BRAC was a big part of, will greatly impact Baton Rouge for the better. BRAC is an investor-driven organization leading economic development in the nine-parish Baton Rouge Area. BRAC’s investor base includes small businesses, midsize firms, large industry and entrepreneurial startups, as well as other individuals and organizations.
Each month, BRAC highlights one of its investors in the Investor Spotlight. To learn more about becoming an investor, visit the Join BRAC page or schedule a meeting with BRAC’s Investor Development and Relations team.