Business start-ups invited to a fest in June

Houma could become the epicenter for a new wave of state-encouraged business start-ups.

A June entrepreneurship conference scheduled to be held at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center will be the first of many such events here, said Steve Vassallo, executive director of the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority.

The workshop will attract business owners and would-be business owners from all over Louisiana, said Vassallo.

Officially titled the “Louisiana Entrepreneurship Fest: For Youth and First-time Entrepreneurs”, it will be held June 20-21.

“This is the first statewide conference of its kind, and will be geared to high school students, college students and all adults who want to plan and start a business,” Vassallo said.

“Many people have good ideas but they aren’t always sure how to turn those ideas into a working business,” Vassallo said. “We want this to become a springboard for their ideas.”

Planning meetings are still under way as Vassallo and other organizers put their official agenda together. Sessions will include lessons learned in other states that will be of value to entrepreneurs in Louisiana, he said.

“With the economy the way it is, this is a perfect time for entrepreneurial growth,” Vassallo said.

Time management, business plans, finding the people who have the money for financing and other get-started basics will be among the topics discussed.

Nicholls State University Vice President for Academic Affairs Laynie Barrilleaux has been working closely with other TEDA board members to map out the program.

Local business owners will also take center stage.

Dominique Newsome, a partner at Houma’s AHA Wellness Center, will make presentations along with her partner, Shantelle Abshire. Their business has successfully operated for five years now.

“We want to be able to give back to the community,” said Newsome. “We believe if one person can do it anybody can do it.”