Louisiana SBDC at LSU Alexandria

11/02/2026

Stop doing it all yourself. 🛑

If you’re answering every email, writing every post and keeping up with every task on your own, this one’s for you.

This Thursday, Dan Condell of DGC Strategy shows small business owners how to put AI to work, with no tech background needed.

You’ll walk away knowing:

✅ Which AI tools to use for which jobs
✅ How to set them up so they stop giving you generic answers
✅ How to spot the work in your business AI can take off your plate

AI isn’t here to replace you. It’s here to give you your time back.

📅 Thursday, Nov. 5
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Vibe Co-working Space, 602B Main Street, Pineville, or join on Zoom
💲 Free | Seating is limited

👉 Save your seat at https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=21460103

Questions? Contact [email protected] or 318-427-0408.

11/02/2026

We're Looking Forward to Seeing You Tomorrow!

If you've been thinking about attending our business training in Natchitoches, there's still time to register!

Join the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at LSU Alexandria, the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, and Northwestern State University for a day of practical business education and no-cost business consulting designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners move forward with confidence.

✅ Turning Your Skills & Passions into Sustainable Businesses | 9:30 AM

✅ Marketing & Customer Experience Strategies That Drive Repeat Business | 2:00 PM

✅ One-on-One Business Consulting Available Throughout the Day

Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Lunch will be on your own, with several local dining options available nearby.

Whether you're starting a business, growing an existing one, or simply looking for new ideas and resources, we'd love to have you join us.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is encouraged.

📍 Russell Hall | Natchitoches Room
📅 Nov. 3

Register today and reserve your spot! Links are in the comments.

10/26/2026

One Thursday, three stops, and so many opportunities to connect! 🤝

Last Thursday, our LSBDC at LSUA team enjoyed getting out into the community, connecting with partners and stakeholders, and sharing valuable information and resources to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and students across our region.

📱 We kicked off the day with Business Acceleration System ’s Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) for Getting Your Business Started on Social Media, featuring Tance Hughes, Marketing Director at GrowLetter. Participants gained practical strategies for building an online presence, connecting with customers, and growing their businesses through social media. It was a great opportunity to learn alongside others who are committed to strengthening our small business community!

💰 Next, we headed to Natchitoches for Road to Capital! In collaboration with our LSBDC - Shreveport center, we joined small business owners and entrepreneurs at Merci Beaucoup for an informative conversation about financing options, accessing capital, and preparing for business growth. Our Shreveport center director shared valuable insights into funding opportunities and how the LSBDC can help entrepreneurs navigate their options and take the next steps toward success.

A huge thank-you to Hancock Whitney Bank for sponsoring Road to Capital and helping make this educational opportunity possible! We also extend a big thank-you to our colleagues at the LSBDC -Shreveport for coordinating the training, sharing their expertise, and including our center in this valuable collaboration. Partnerships like these allow us to reach more entrepreneurs and connect them with the resources they need.

🎓 We wrapped up the day at Northwestern State University with Dr. Liao and her College of Business students. We enjoyed sharing more about the services and resources available through the LSBDC, discussing entrepreneurship and marketing, and hearing from students already exploring business concepts of their own. Their engagement and thoughtful questions made for a great conversation!

We are grateful to all the partners who help make these opportunities possible and to everyone who welcomed us along the way. From helping businesses strengthen their marketing to navigating financing options and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs, these connections are an important part of what we do.

Stronger partnerships. More informed entrepreneurs. A stronger small business community. That's what it's all about!

10/26/2026

Stop Asking AI Questions That Sound Like Everyone Else's.

AI is everywhere, but many small business owners are still getting generic, mediocre results because they don't know how to use it strategically.

Join us for AI for Small Business Owners: Where to Start and learn how to turn AI from a novelty into a practical business tool.

🎯 In this hands-on session, Dan Condell, Founder of DGC Strategy, will show you: ✅ Which AI tools are best for specific business tasks
✅ How to write better prompts that get useful results
✅ Where AI fits into your daily operations
✅ How to identify repetitive work AI can take off your plate
✅ How to measure whether AI is actually saving time and improving results

No technical background required. Whether you're curious about AI or already experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, you'll walk away with practical ideas you can apply to your business immediately.

📅 Thursday, November 5, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 The Vibe Coworking Space, 602B Main Street
💻 Attend in person or via Zoom

Hosted by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, Louisiana Economic Development, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Don't get left behind while your competitors learn how to work smarter. Discover how AI can help you save time, improve productivity, and focus on growing your business.

Register today! https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=21460103

Thank you to Vibe Co-working Space for partnering with us for this training!

10/26/2026

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐑𝐒! 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮!

Whether you're thinking about starting a business, turning a side hustle into something more, or looking for ways to grow an existing business, you don't have to figure it out alone.
Do you have questions about:

✅ Turning your skills, experience, or passion into a sustainable business?
✅ Finding customers and creating loyal advocates for your business?
✅ Improving your marketing without wasting time or money?
✅ Creating a customer experience that drives repeat business and referrals?
✅ Building a stronger foundation for long-term growth?
✅ Accessing expert guidance tailored to your unique business goals?

Join the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at LSU Alexandria, Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce and Northwestern State University for a full day of business education and no-cost counseling designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners move forward with confidence.

📈 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 & 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
Learn how to transform your talents, expertise, and ideas into a business that can generate long-term success during our morning workshop, Turning Your Skills & Passions into Sustainable Businesses.

📊 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
Discover practical strategies to attract customers, improve customer experiences, encourage repeat business, and strengthen your brand during Marketing & Customer Experience Strategies that Drive Repeat Business.

🤝 𝐎𝐧𝐞-𝐨𝐧-𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲
Meet directly with LSBDC consultants to discuss your business goals, challenges, and opportunities. Whether you need guidance on business planning, marketing, financial management, funding preparation, or growth strategies, we're here to help.
To reserve a counseling appointment, participants are encouraged to call ahead to ensure availability. Walk-ins are also welcome and will be accommodated as scheduling permits.
The best business decisions are made with the right information, resources, and support. Let us help you take the next step.

🔗 Registration links will be included in the comments.

10/22/2026

The Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual Women in Business Conference is happening soon!

Don't forget to make sure you're in the room!

One week away from inspiration, empowerment, and connections that matter!

The 2026 Women in Business Conference is bringing together women who lead, inspire, and make a difference.

https://cenlabusinessdirectory.cenlachamber.org/events/details/2026-women-in-business-conference-271?fbclid=IwY2xjawVEg6xleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMUVVc2U4WGFVSzZGMFJSSzVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEemGjIviYQi-nodp1k5LTE6jzvnH8mWf3-r1kVNCEKHPtn9AERcP8CIAs0IYk_aem_8jq5G44-EaNHxFdohgixiQ

10/19/2026

Happening this Thursday, October 22, in Alexandria!

12 likes. 2 comments. One was your mom.

Zero sales.

You're not bad at social media. You're talking to people who will never buy from you.

Likes don't pay rent.
Followers don't buy coffee.
Buyers do.

On Thursday, October 22nd, Tance Hughes will hand you a 90-minute plan to turn your posts into paying customers.

Who's Tance?

He owns a PJ's Coffee and a self storage facility in Natchez, MS (population: about 14,480). He's opening a second PJ's and a Flying Dolly's Ice Cream next year.

He was named PJ's Coffee Franchisee of the Year. He made Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Inc. 5000 with his first company. He runs marketing for a newsletter growth agency.

He's not a guru with a ring light. He's a small-town business owner who figured out how to turn attention into revenue. In a town where everybody already knows everybody.

If it works in Natchez, it'll work for you.

You'll walk out with:

✅ A clean setup for your business social accounts (or a cleanup plan if they're a mess)
✅ Positioning that makes the right customers find you
✅ A simple system to stop chasing likes and start attracting buyers
✅ Clear next steps you can run the morning after the class

Not theory.
Not "post more."
A plan.

This is NOT for people who want to go viral, chase hacks, or keep posting into the void.

This IS for business owners tired of content that doesn't sell, and for anyone starting from zero who wants to do it right the first time.

📅 Thursday, October 22nd
⏰ 8:30 to 10:00 AM
📍 In person at Louisiana Central (1302 Murray St, Alexandria)
💻 Or join live on Zoom

90 minutes. Free. $0.

A Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur hands you his playbook. Your only cost is showing up.

In-person seats are limited.
When the room's full, it's full.
Zoom still needs a reserved spot.

👉 Claim your free seat before it's gone: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdml0E2vOhg2AlDbDl8dkVpovS1tT3Mo-MglBpPrmlfd8aNNQ/viewform

10/15/2026

⏳ ONE WEEK AWAY: Looking for funding to start or grow your business?

Many business owners don’t get stuck because of a lack of ideas. They get stuck because they don’t know which funding fits, what lenders want to see, or who to talk to first. I-49 Connects: The Road to Capital is designed to help solve exactly that.

Coordinated by our colleagues at the LSBDC at Southern University Shreveport, this event brings entrepreneurs and small business owners together with the information, resources, and relationships needed to access capital. We’re happy to be part of the effort.

In just two hours, you’ll learn:
✅ Your options: loans, investors, and alternative funding
✅ What lenders and investors look for when reviewing a business
✅ How credit, cash flow, and financial statements impact your funding potential
✅ Who’s in your corner: local lenders and resource partners
✅ Practical next steps to position your business for capital and growth

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026 | ⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Merci Beaucoup, 127 Church Street, Natchitoches

Serving Central Louisiana and beyond, this is a conversation worth having whether you need funding now or are planning for the year ahead.

👉 Register today: https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=5460057

Want help getting your financials or business plan funding-ready afterward? Our consultants are here for no-cost, confidential advising.

10/13/2026

🤖 Business Owners: Ready to Put AI to Work in Your Business?

The LSBDC at LSUA is excited to share an upcoming opportunity through LSUA Continuing Education that can help entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals learn practical ways to leverage artificial intelligence for growth and efficiency.

Whether you're looking to improve marketing, automate routine tasks, create content faster, or explore new business opportunities, this hands-on AI Master Class Series can help you gain the skills to stay competitive in today's business environment.

📅 AI Master Class Series

October 30 | AI Foundations & Creative Media Learn how to write effective AI prompts and create images, videos, and audio content that can support your marketing and communications efforts.

November 13 | Build It & Launch It Discover how to build AI-powered applications using ChatGPT and publish them online, with no coding experience required.

December 4 | AI for Business Automation Learn how AI agents and automation tools can streamline operations, organize information, and improve productivity.

📍 Location: LSU Alexandria, Mulder Hall
⏰ Check-in: 8:00 a.m. | Classes begin at 8:15 a.m.
🍽️ Lunch Included

💲 $145 per class
💲 $399 for the complete three-class series

Links to register are in the comments!

AI is quickly becoming a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're a startup, an established small business, or simply interested in understanding emerging technology, this series offers practical, hands-on learning you can immediately apply.

📞 Questions? Contact LSUA Continuing Education at 318-427-4441 or 318-427-4498.

Learn it. Create it. Build it.

10/09/2026

NATCHITOCHES we're coming to you!

💰 Need funding to start or grow your business?

Join us for I-49 Connects: The Road to Capital and learn how to position your business for funding success.

📅 October 22, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Merci Beaucoup in Natchitoches

During this session, you'll learn how to:

✅ Understand your capital options, including loans, investors, and alternative funding sources
✅ Prepare a strong loan or investment package
✅ Assess your financial readiness and understand the role of credit, cash flow, and financial statements
✅ Connect with lenders, financial partners, and business resource providers
✅ Develop a personalized action plan to pursue the funding your business needs

Whether you're launching a new venture or preparing for growth, this training will help you take the next step with confidence.

Register here! https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=5460057