Baton Rouge Business Report

Think escape rooms are just weekend fun for thrill-seekers or puzzling adventures for families? Think again.  In Baton Rouge, these immersive experiences are being reimagined as powerful tools for learning, development—and yes, even leadership training.  In this episode of Business Report’s Bottom Line, we explore how both local institutions and major employers are leveraging escape rooms to boost performance and engagement. At Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, or FranU, what looks like a typical medical...

Travel elsewhere around the country, and it’s hard to find the abundance of family-owned independent supermarkets that thrive across the Capital Region. Outlets like Calandro’s, Calvin’s Bocage Market, Matherne’s, Alexander’s and Oak Point Market are among the scores of retailers across the Baton Rouge area that lure shoppers with local and gourmet items alongside competitively priced staples. As Business Report writes in its latest issue, many similar independent supermarkets across the nation were unable to...

Born in Sonsón, Colombia, in 1938, the late Jairo Alvarez was the second-born of 11 children. He and his siblings helped their Papacito, Mario, and Mamacita, Adela, tend to corn and potato crops and raise animals on their farm tucked against a mountain. Alvarez, one of Business Report’s 2025 Hall of Fame laureates, would eventually go on to found one of the state’s largest residential construction companies. At 52 years old, Alvarez launched his construction...

What are biggest regulatory challenges to health care? How are medical facilities navigating workforce shortages? What are the plans for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System to expand? Newly appointed President and CEO E.J. Kuiper addresses those issues and more in this episode of Strictly Business. Strictly Business is powered by Business Report and presented by East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Neighbors Federal Credit Union and Insperity.

How did three Louisiana companies make the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing firms in the nation? Strictly Business answers that question with a panel of three executives at the helms of those organizations. In this episode, CORE Specialty Services President Paola Alvarado, 365Labs President and CEO Mo Vij and Genesis 360 founder and President Craig Stevens share their strategies for achieving and managing rapid growth, differentiating themselves from competitors, staying ahead of disruption and more. Strictly Business...

Strategic expansion is key in business but it comes with challenges. Jude Melville, chairman and CEO of b1Bank, shared some tips on how banks can balance the risks and rewards of expansion and much more in the latest episode of Business Report’s “Strictly Business.” Melville discussed the bank’s strategy for expansion, maintaining company culture and values and the potential biggest disruptor for community banks and how to address it.  He also emphasized the importance of having the...

What economic opportunities are on the horizon for Louisiana? How will the state’s role in national and global energy production change over the next several decades? And what national policy reforms are needed to help small businesses? Departing Republican Congressman Garret Graves shares those insights and more—including key lessons learned—in this episode of Strictly Business. Strictly Business is powered by Business Report and presented by Insperity and the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. Register now.

Building successful teams in sports or business takes work. In the latest episode of Business Report’s Strictly Business, LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson shares his expertise on building successful teams, drawing from his experience leading LSU to multiple championships with strategies that can carry over to business. Johnson discusses the importance of preparation, leadership and maintaining focus amidst external pressures. He also emphasizes the value of mentorship, accountability, and a supportive environment for high-performing individuals.  “My dad was...

Louisiana is known for its culinary icons, and one Baton Rouge company is turning a classic favorite—the boudin ball—into a nationwide business.  Crave-A-Ball, launched by the Pizzolato family, aims to revolutionize the boudin ball market with a focus on innovation, quality and expansion. In this episode of Business Report's “Bottom Line,” we talk with Crave-A-Ball chef Yvette Bonanno about the company's current operations and future plans.

Situated a mere stone’s throw from the Gulf of Mexico, Port Fourchon has always been intimately tied to Louisiana’s offshore oil and gas industry—servicing more than 95% of all Gulf deepwater activities. But these days, the port is intentionally pursuing a more diversified agenda with a focus on all things energy. Check out our exclusive original video, Port Fourchon: Louisiana’s Power Outlet.

After more than 10 years of planning, work has started on the Livingston Parish Executive Airport.  In the latest episode of Business Report's Bottom Line, we dive into some of the lesser-known barriers the Livingston Parish Airport District traversed to make the project a reality. Besides acquiring the land and getting environmental impact statements, federal legislation was revised, allowing the project to be greenlit.   

How do you build an award-winning workplace culture? In its October 2024 episode, Strictly Business answers that question with a panel of three executives at the helm of some of the Best Places to Work in the Capital Region. They’ll be honored at the October Louisiana Business Symposium. This episode features Lucas Spielfogel, executive director of the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition; Dan Ducote of Enginuity Global; and Justin Alford, co-owner of Benny’s Car Wash. They share...

The Louisiana Energy Outlook, presented by 10/12 Industry Report and Baton Rouge Business Report, explores emerging trends for 2024 and 2025: Energy transformation, oil and gas production, innovation and digitalization, workforce challenges and more. Panelists include Regina Davis, ExxonMobil Baton Rouge refinery manager; Lee Stockwell, national leader for carbon capture at Shell; and Brad Ives, director of the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation. The virtual event is sponsored by Alliance Safety Council and Bradley Murchison. Watch the webcast.

Mental health is linked to business outcomes, such as productivity, absenteeism, and employee retention, prompting a growing number of businesses to invest in mental health initiatives as a means of taking care of their employees and, in turn, enhancing overall performance and competitiveness. H&E Rentals has taken a leadership role in shedding light on the mental health crisis taking place today, working with high-level organizations like the Huntsman Family Foundation, the National Alliance on Mental...

What key market trends and conditions are driving Capital Region business right now? What policy and regulatory changes are helping and hurting Louisiana companies? Those and other topics are the focus of this special episode of Strictly Business. Guests are Will Green, president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, and Trey Godfrey, vice president of policy for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Green is head of Louisiana’s largest business advocacy group, representing more...

Baton Rouge's Amazon Fulfillment Center, BTR 1, officially opened its doors where Cortana Mall once stood. The facility has been in operation for months.  BTR 1 is a “first of its kind” Amazon robotics facility with robots like the Hercules and Pegasus working alongside humans.  We take viewers on a tour of Amazon's newest facility and a full walk-through of the life of a package.  Watch The Life of an Amazon Package.

What constitutes an elite team in business, and how do you build one? What are the most critical attributes to look for in its members? And how do you overcome the challenges in crafting that team? Career Competitor founder and owner Steve Mellor discusses best practices and strategies in this episode of Strictly Business. Mellor is an ICF PCC-certified executive coach who has worked and coached in high-performance industries for two decades. As such, the former...

Walk into a breeding room at Fluker Farms in Port Allen and no surprise, it’s crickets. Thousands of screened boxes in this 90-degree warehouse hold live crickets waiting to be shipped across the U.S. to pet stores, educational institutions, zoos and direct to consumers for feeding their pet reptiles. Founded in 1956 by Richard Fluker, the company spent many years as a cricket supplier to south Louisiana bait shops. A lot has changed since then. 

How do you handle customer complaints and turn negative experiences into positive ones? How do you keep your team motivated to deliver excellent customer service consistently? And how important is it to have a customer-centric approach in today’s business environment? Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry President Scott Berg discusses best practices and strategies in this episode of Strictly Business. Berg is president of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, known for its customer experience. He is deeply involved in...

Your company is experiencing a crisis. How do you manage public perception and minimize reputational damage? Longtime crisis communications expert and award-winning campaign strategist Ann Edelman joins us for this episode of Business Report‘s Strictly Business webcast in May to discuss best practices and strategies. She is vice president of Public Relations and Media at Zehnder Communications. Clients regularly seek her expertise when responding to challenging news scenarios like workplace accidents, government regulatory violations, wrongdoing by company executives,...