You and Your Business: All Things Entrepreneurial

In this podcast episode, join us for an insightful conversation with industry expert Mark Fontenot as we delve into the world of employee benefits. Discover the diverse range of challenges facing businesses today and solutions to address them. Mark also sheds light on the latest trends reshaping the benefits and offering valuable insights for employers and employees.

Intro: 0:00
Background 1:45
Problems and Solutions 9:10
Partial/Self Funded 20:52
New Trends 27:00
Lagniappe 42:00

In this podcast episode, we dive into the heart of the modern workplace with Jeff Benton, a local entrepreneur. Jeff enlightens us on the role of morals and love in a thriving work environment, sharing insights from his upcoming book 'People Are Cra Cra.' Join us as we explore the power of compassion and integrity, leaving you inspired to reshape workplace dynamics.

Who is Jeff? 1:41
What is "People are Cray Cray" going to be about? 10:19
The deep woundedness in the workforce 23:35
The two things Leaders must do 34:08
Lagniappe information about the book (importance of Love in the workforce) 40:51
Bourbon/food/extras 46:21

You and Your business welcomes Dr. Jacob Imam, founder of the think tank New Polity, to discuss Distributism, work, education, community, and anything else that contributes to a fully integrated Christian life.  Imam, an Oxford man and Steubenville graduate, offers a thoughtful and well researched perspective on such matters that draws further richness from his entreprenurial ventures.  Tune in for a riveting conversation!

:05 - Introductory shenanigans
7:40 - Background and family history
16:30 - Falling into a Christian economics
36:00 - Distributism: A Christo-centric approach to government
58:50 - Innovative projects and new directions at New Polity

Stacey Romero, President and CEO of The Broussard Chamber of Commerce, joined Jay Toups to talk about business, the exciting growth that is happening in Broussard, Louisiana and how partnering with the Broussard Economic Development Office and the Mayor's office has sparked the growth to make the City of Broussard one of the fastest  growing cities in the south. 
Stacey and her team are an example for other chambers to follow. The Broussard Chamber also one 2021 Louisiana Small Chamber of the year award. Congratulations!

CEO of the Better Business Bureau, Jillian Dickerson, explains what her organization it is, what it isn't, and how they have been helping business all across Acadiana. She speaks on what it's like to be business minded in a non-profit organization. 
www.BBB.org

0:00 - Intro
3:10 - Prior Experience
5:25 - What is the Better Business Bureau?
9:06 - How do you help?
11:30 - Coming Back
12:34 - How do we reach you?
13:35 - What have you learned?
14:45 - Where do you go from here?
16:30 - Business you Have Helped
20:56 - What are you Reading?
29:40 - Wrap up/Favorites

Josh and Olivia Savoie write beautiful biographies about your friends and loved ones in their business: Raconteur Writing. Their mission is to preserve lives and legacies through the lost art of heritage storytelling. 

0:00 - Introduction
10:22 - What story touched your heart the most? 
13:15 - How has the business affected you? 
15:00 - What have you learned about running a business?
19:15 - What is the hardest part? 
22:00 - Scaling the business
30:00 - Where does it go from here?
37:00 - Personal favorites

This week, Jay has on Robert and Lana Michalk, who are the owners of Robert M’s salon in Lafayette, Louisiana. On the podcast, they talk about the journey to the hair industry, and what makes them different. This week is loaded with conversation about culture and client interactions and how to give top tier service. They also talk about advice on starting a business and wrap up with a personal note. 

0:00-7:45 Introduction

7:45-13:00 Why open a salon?

13:00-19:00 A different approach to culture and client interaction

19:00-37:04 Allowing Clients to rest & top tier service

37:04-42:40 Funniest & Most Touching Salon Stories

42:40-46:18 Advice on Starting a Business

46:18-57:42 Wrap up questions

Most business owners took a sigh of relief and were ready to put 2020 behind us.  2021 proved for must us to be a time to look to the future and make decisions related to the future of our businesses. Many of the highlights this year focused on what how to look at that future and how to keep life in balance as we do that.

Highlights for 2021:
0:00-1:08 Introduction
1:08-6:32 John Tommasini on Change
6:32-11:08 Ben Howington on Support System & Family
11:10-15:40 Reed Streva on Successful People
15:40-20:23 Wade Berzas on Having a Vision
20:23-25:00 Anita Begnaud on Downtown
25:00-28:33 Wade Berzas “Life 43 Seconds at a Time”
28:33-31:02 Conclusion

This week, Jay has Ben Howington, a 4th generation family farmer. He talks about the role his wife and business partners play in the success of his farm. They also talk about the future of the farming industry and how it’s changed in the past. 

0:00-13:08 Ben Introduction, Life in Family Farming

13:08-22:54 Impact of Bankers and Family in the industry

22:54-27:25 Future of the industry

27:25-34:43 The Fight for Acreage

34:43-42:00 The Gamble of the Industry and how it has changed

42:00-51:50 3 Life Lessons from Ben

This week on You and Your Business, Jay has on owner and founder of Jet Coffee, John Tommasini. 

Jet Coffee has become one of the most successful businesses in Acadiana after its opening in October of 2019. On the podcast, John talks about his journey to opening Jet with his partners, his wife’s involvement in the company, and what makes Jet so successful. John also talks about his future goals and plans for growth, as well as how he keeps order in his life amongst the hectic days of entrepreneurship. 

Time Stamps:

0:00-8:43 Introduction/Beginnings of Jet

8:43-18:09 What makes Jet Successful

18:09-22:34 Next Step for Jet Coffee

22:34-31:00 What makes Jet different, and how its changed since the beginning

31:00-39:05 Need for Order, Structure, & Accountability

39:05-48:43 Three points of advice for success

48:43-52:55 Coffee side of the business

On this podcast, Jay has Anita Begnaud, CEO of Lafayette Downtown Development Authority. Anita shares her wisdom regarding the effect downtown has on a city and the culture it provides within the community of business owners. Anita and Jay also talk about diversity and inclusion, self-employment, effective leadership, and work-life balances. Also included is Anita's advice to anyone wanting to start their own business in Lafayette. 

The heartbeat of a city is its downtown district and thriving small businesses!

In this month's episode we had local health and fitness coach, Reed Streva, in for a talk about how to maintain a healthy mind and body for maximum effectiveness at work.  Reed talked about how important it is for business owners to recognize that the employees who help their businesses run are the "goose" that lays the golden egg.  "Feeding the goose," as he puts it is to treat the worker with dignity and creating a healthy work environment mentally, emotionally and physically will build a company culture  that will draw in and retain the best teams. 

Listen and learn Reed's thought on the three most important steps to start improving a healthy work environment one employee at a time. 

Wade Berzas shares with the audience how he came back after a devastating plane crash, how to grow and start a business. Wade is truly an inspiration and offers some true wisdom that only comes from a lived experience.  As a fellow small business owner, Wade offers great advice that comes from his experience as a leader and small business owner. Listen to the end you wont regret the time.