Fueling the Future: Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs Elevates Local Ventures

Baton Rouge is a city brimming with potential, and the Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs initiative is designed to unlock it by empowering residents to start and grow their own businesses. This dynamic program, a collaborative effort between the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, Southern University, the University of Notre Dame Keough School of Global Affairs, and the City of Baton Rouge, is held each summer and welcomes all adult entrepreneurs in the Baton Rouge community.

Whether they have a groundbreaking idea, an early-stage venture, or already lead a growing business, participants benefit from the expertise of faculty from the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business and hear from local entrepreneurs and subject matter experts, including financial planners and lawyers, who share their real-world experiences and insights. From developing a solid business concept and understanding the target market to crafting a profitable model and setting up operations, Bootcamp equips entrepreneurs with practical knowledge they can immediately apply. An interactive approach encourages participants to bring their own business ideas and challenges to the forefront for engaging in class discussions.

“It was great to meet other entrepreneurs and hear stories about successful, local minority business owners.”

— Joy Johnson, owner of a massage therapy and natural wellness product business

Bootcamp has a particular focus on supporting entrepreneurs from areas such as North Baton Rouge, where the median annual income is $28,100. By providing targeted training and resources, the Bootcamp aims to elevate these entrepreneurs and their communities. The long-term vision is to create a ripple effect throughout the city; businesses developed by program participants often generate local jobs, keep money circulating within the community, and attract investment from outside the region, ultimately contributing to the city’s overall economic vitality. The growing success of the program is evident in its increasing enrollment, which has more than doubled in the last four years.

The Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs is more than just a training program; it's an investment in the future of Baton Rouge. By empowering its residents with the tools and knowledge to build successful businesses, the initiative is fostering economic growth, creating opportunities, and strengthening the fabric of our community.

Do you think attending Bootcamp may be the right step for you and your business venture? Sign up using our interest form to be contacted when our next sessions are officially scheduled.

 

About the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute

The mission of the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute is to promote and foster entrepreneurial practices through education, outreach, and research. An integral part of LSU's E. J. Ourso College of Business, the SEI utilizes its various programs and other means to address entrepreneurial challenges and positively impact students, the regional economy, the state of Louisiana, and the nation. A generous donation by LSU alumni Emmet and the late Toni Stephenson made the continued development of the college's entrepreneurship institute possible.