Entrepreneur fest kicks off Thursday

A first-ever gathering of students, business-minded adults and business leaders, aimed at helping people with new ideas launch their dreams, arrives this week at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

And organizers say there’s still time for people interested in attending the Louisiana Entrepreneur Fest to sign up. Sessions are scheduled for Thursday and Friday. It is not necessary for registrants to attend all of the sessions.

The registration fee for individuals is $25. The easiest way to register is at the event’s Web site, http://www.laentrefest.com

The first statewide conference of its kind, the event will offer high school juniors and seniors, college students and adults already in businesses or professions a chance to learn how to plan for and start a new enterprise.

Anyone with an idea of how they can use their unique talents and abilities to fill a market need and generate their dream into income is encouraged to take advantage of the two-day conference offerings.

“Over two days, they can learn everything they need to know from 35 experts in their fields, from across the nation, about all aspects of how to bring an idea to life,” said Steve Vassallo, director of the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority, which is sponsoring the event. Vassallo and other organizers say there is a good chance the event can make Terrebonne Parish the entrepreneurship capital of Louisiana.

The festival is being held at a time when there is ample evidence budding ideas are alive and well, and being transformed to reality in Terrebonne, he said.

“From January through May there were 346 new business startups here,” Vassallo said. “And I am hoping some of these embryo business owners will be attracted to attend and be exposed to some concepts they haven’t thought of.”

New business startups locally include restaurants and service industries.

Presenters at the festival will include Charles Gaiennie of Houma’s W.L. Gaiennie Company, whose program is themed “Entrepreneurship: The Most Exciting and Terrifying Thing You’ll Ever Do.”

Bob Breaux of SCORE in Baton Rouge will speak on “Simple Steps to Starting a Small Business.”

That workshop will focus on the basics of testing business ideas and identifying the key factors that influence start-up success.

“Start-up Basics will provide you with an overview of the skills and tools you need when deciding to start a business,” the event’s program states. “In this session, you will learn about: the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, the most profitable form for your business, and the fundamentals of formation, organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources.”

Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said he is pleased the land of the Good Earth is hosting the event, and certain that there will be many benefits beyond what is spoken of in the seminars.

“All knowledge is valuable and even the contacts that one would make by attending it would be just as valuable as the knowledge from the seminars,” he said. Claudet also expressed hope that the gathering will become an important part of Terrebonne’s involvement with small businesses throughout the state.

“I would like to believe that we have always been a regional and state leader in many areas,”he said. “And this would be one more we can add to our list.”