Louisiana Business Weekly

This week, we dive into the world of artificial intelligence with Henry Hays of Henry Hays Consulting. We talk about the emergence of AI in mainstream business, regardless of the type of business or industry. We talk about adaptability being linked to mindset on the front end. We talk about the cost of implementing an AI plan versus the cost of falling behind on efficiency on numerous fronts by ignoring where the world of AI is headed. We talk about defining your market and how that definition will help the direction you take to utilize AI.Henry pulls back the curtain on how his business makes implementation of AI in your business easier. In other words, how to turn the unknown into the known and demystify AI.

To kick off the third season of Louisiana Business Weekly, Brian handed off to Carey Guglielmo, former host of The Brand BR,  to guest host the show, Carey welcomed in Charlie and Nathan Bellz of Impress Designs to talk about their business. They talked apparel, growth, logistics, and focus.They also committed some of the discussion to talk marketing, technology, AI, and customer service

Brian sat down with Tiffany Chandler Didier, from Talk Formals to talk about the world of fashion in Baton Rouge. They talked about growing a small business, defining your niche, and a talked a lot about customer service.

Brian takes this episode in house! As Guaranty looks ahead to its 100th Anniversary, Brian welcomes in President and CEO Flynn Foster to talk about the evolution of the company. They talk about Guaranty's origins, history, growth, changes, and plans for the next hundred years. they also spend some time talking about workplace culture, relationships, and the importance of people.

On this episode of the show, Brian sat down with Chuck Chenevert, Owner of Livingston Roofing. They talk a bit about roofing, but much more about family business as Livingston Roofing has been in Chuck's family since the 50's. They talked about adapting to new markets and new times while remaining true to the core principles.They also talked about specialization in the roofing world and why Livingston focuses on residential versus commercial and why they have shied away from the fortified roof program. Brian and Chuck also talked about some of the nigger hurdles that roofers are facing in today's world, namely workforce issues.

On this week's episode, Brian sat down with Jesse Simpson to talk turf. Simpson Sports Engineering specializes in turf fields for outdoor sports. The conversation revolved around how did Jesse find his way into that business? How do you get started with such a niche product? How do you grow or scale up? and of course, where is the business headed.Naturally, Brian had a few questions about the product itself. He asked about the science behind it, how it's acquired, and how often advancements in technology change the nature of the product.

This week Brian welcomed in David and Marissa Hofstatter, owners of Restoration 1. Restoration 1 specializes in property disaster services, and they have been growing at a pretty remarkable clip. They talked about their growth, what got them into the business, and how to manage customer care when every customer is at one of the lowest times in their life.They also talked about growth and scaling as Restoration 1 has recently moved into their 5th new facility in 7 years.More than any other topic, this is the first episode of Louisiana Business Weekly where Brian has interviewed a husband and wife duo running the company. They talked about strengths and challenges and maximizing their individual personalities to benefit the business while not letting work invade their home too much.

This week, Brian talks real estate with Trey Willard from The W Group. Brian and Trey talked about what it means to be an independent realtor versus selling under another company's name. They talked at length about leadership, management, and building a team model in a business that can easily be graded off of individual results. Brian and Trey talked about growth, the implementation of new tech and AI in the real estate world and how to stay a step ahead. 

This week we talk about the mind. Jourdan Generes from Neurojust joined Brian to talk about treating depression and anxiety through a method called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS. Jourdan talked about what TMS is, how it is administered, why it works, and more importantly, how it became his passion and subsequently, his business.In this pharmaceutically driven world, Jourdan talked about why TMS is so appealing.He talked about his journey and how he landed where he is with Neurojust. He also talked the business end of the therapy. Essentially, he talked about how to break through the prescription filled clutter to get through to patients suffering from anxiety and depression.

This week, Scott Gaudin, President and CEO of Currency Bank sat down with Brian to talk about the world of banking. Scott tells his story of how he got on the path to be part of launching a new bank, what it takes to get a new bank off the ground, and where he and his team hope to take Currency Bank in the future.Sott went into depth about relationships he has built along the way and the importance of nurturing and cultivating those relationships. He also tallked about learning from mentors at every turn and having the presence of mind to pick up lessons from the greats when they happen, which includes a great story about Nick Saban and another with Skip Bertman.Scott and Brian talk about the stark differences between the local banks and the big names out there. They talk about team building, growth, and how to manage the two in real time.They also talk a bit about fintech and how it can level the playing field for a local bank when used right.

This week, Brian sat down with Scott Barringer, President and CEO of the PALA Group. Scott talked about his path to where he is today as he has worked for the same company for 36 years. He talked about working for a family vompany and pivoting to an employee owned company.Scott talked about how PALA grew from their original company to how and why they have acquired other companies along the way.He talked about interstate, industrial construction and how, though business may change over time, relationships do not.

This week, Brian sat down with Nancy Ellis for a fantastic conversation about leadership in the workplace and bridging the generational gap. In today's business world Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millenials, and Gen Z all have to coexist. How does a business bridge the age, priority, and communication gaps so a company can thrive and move forward? It is a growing concern and one that Nancy is tackling head-on

This week, Brian sat down with Bryan Wesley to talk about the construction world. The two talked about the history of Wesley Construction, some of the challenges in today's construction world, and a whole lot more.One of the dominating themes of the conversation was how much the construction business is a people business and success is contingent upon building relationships and maintaining your reputation. Word of mouth carries a ton of weight, from recruiting to marketing, and that means delivering on promises.Bryan also talked about how doing business can change from stte to state, but the work itself remains the same. they also talked a little about what the future holds for Wesley Construction

In this episode, Brian spoke with Mmiller Hilliard from Surety Bond Solutions. They had a great conversation about how Miller got into the business, how Surety got started, and simply, what it is that a bond company does. Most of the conversation was about relationships and relationship building. Miller's business is based largely on trust and delivering on promises and he puts a premium on living up t o both of those things.They also talked about growth, adaptation to change, and where he plans to take his company from here.

This episode, Brian welcomed in Josh crowdus and Peyton Finical from Sasquatch Waste. Before diving into the conversation about business, Brian had to know how they got their name; which turned into a great story about branding, tech, and adapting.Once the conversation got rolling, the guys, through telling their company's origin story,  talked about building relationships in business, how the construction world can be so different in different places, and how to adapt to those differences. They talked about their why and what motivates them in their business. They talked about marketing, branding, and growing a new business' name as well. They also spent some time talking about growth and the future.

Brian welcomed in Greg Wood from Gage to talk about how their business model has changed over the years. Brian and Greg talked about keeping up with customer demand while never sacrificing customer satisfaction. Gage, who started out as a telephone provider for businesses has stayed ahead of the curve for what Baton Rouge needs in communications for decades.

Chez Ciccone from Metal Fab Guys joined the podcast this week. Chez talked about the work Metal Fab Guys is doing to revolutionize the metal fabrication industry. He talked at length about introducing new, state of the art, equipment, including cobots, to increase precision and reduce labor costs.Chez also talked about the relationship building aspects of the industrial world, specifically here in Louisiana. Along with industrial services, Metal Fab Guys will have an e-commerce aspect to their business. Chez talked about how they plan to manage those two similar, yet completely different worlds.

In this episode, Brian talked with Dr. Kristine Strickland, chancellor of Fletcher Technical Community College. They talked about Fletcher's mission, history, and role in South Louisiana. Included in that conversation was how Fletcher has evolved over the years from just a Technical School into the Community College world. They also talked about the evolving role of the Technical college in today's educational landscape. 

In this episode, Brian speaks with Dana Schlotterer, the Executive Director of the Young Entrepreneur's Academy. Brian and Dana talk about fostering the entrpreneurial spirit in high schoolers and how YEA BR helps them learn the ins and outs of starting a business... them launches those businesses. 

John Overton from Turn Key solutions sits down to talk about how the company came to be, how it evolved over time to be what it is today. 

This week, Brian welcomed in Dr. Stanton McNeely, President of the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans. Brian talks with Dr. McNeely about the history, growth, and mission of the university.

Brian welcomed Brian Patchett, CEO of the Louisiana Association for the Blind as his guest on Louisiana Business Weekly. They talked about what the Association does, not just from an advocacy standpoint, but from a business end as well.

James Pirtle from Center Lift tells his story of how he turned being a salvage diver into a world renowned marine asset and heavy lift company

In this episode, we stay with the folks at Hypervan, and talk with Dr. Keith Van Meter for the medical side of their story

Host Brian Haldane visits with the CEO of Hypervan, Bobby Delise. Hypervan is a company that is making hyperbaric oxygen treatments mobile.