Why Entrepreneurs Excel in Southwest Louisiana

Nathan Lambrecht

Southwest Louisiana is a leader in the state when it comes to economic development. And small businesses in Lake Charles and the surrounding communities are able to enjoy success, thanks for a variety of factors. 

Comprising five parishes – Allen, Beauregard, Cameron, Calcasieu and Jeff Davis – Southwest Louisiana boasts a strong infrastructure, abundant pipelines, a skilled workforce, shipping access and, perhaps most importantly, community support. 

That comes in a variety of ways, including the “we’re all in this together” attitude that permeates the area. Economic development is at the forefront, with small businesses in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana enjoying a wealth of resources, including incubators, coworking spaces, chamber memberships, managerial and technical assistance, and workshops and seminars. 

American Tracking Services 

When Hans Funk conceived his idea to change the way tracking systems work, he only had to decide where he would birth the business. It wasn’t much of a decision. 

“SWLA is my home, where my roots are, and I’m inspired by its resilience and community spirit,” Funk says. “The entrepreneurial environment is supportive and fertile, and a lot of good people foster a sense of growth.” 

Funk had witnessed deficiencies with the electronic monitoring systems designed to track former inmates. He wondered how they could get off the monitor and regain their freedom. “How can a judge know if someone is doing well when tracking devices only report infractions?” he says. 

So, the electromechanical engineer designed a program that rewards positive actions, provides employment connections, performs wellness checks, and monitors working hours and curfews. It then generates a reputation score that provides valuable information to compliance officers and judges. 

“It allows us to create transparency and fairness in the justice system while holding community safety paramount,” Funk says. 

His business, American Tracking Services, began in 2022. The company has received resources and support from the Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development Center, known as the SEED Center. American Tracking’s offices are in the SEED Center, which is on the campus of McNeese State University. Funk meets with advisers regularly and seeks guidance on how to keep his business in compliance. 

“It’s great to be in the middle of the hustle and bustle, near a university with innovative minds, and able to connect with partners and community members,” Funk says. “It was a strategic decision to start my business here. It’s a unique blend of small-town values and big-city ambition, with a huge drive for innovation. We have a shared understanding, and we all want to see each other succeed.” 

Southern Style Enterprises 

Mason LeBlanc, president of Southern Style Enterprises, is proof that age is just a number. He started his business while still in high school, and at 21 years old, he oversees all the property management, maintenance and heavy construction projects his company is known for. 

He does it all while pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at McNeese State, part of his plan to build on the enterprise he founded. 

“This community likes to deal with local businesses,” LeBlanc says. “People know your reputation because SWLA is big enough to run a business but small enough to still feel like a hometown.” 

Southern Style does everything from dirt work to drainage and from digging ditches to demolition for commercial, industrial and civil clients. “Chamber involvement has been key to connecting with like-minded people,” he says. 

He also sits on the 12-person small-business focus group at the SEED Center, which meets four times a year to identify problems and create solutions for small businesses in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana. 

LeBlanc’s team develops the topics, then the SEED Center creates the programs and plays host. From customer service do’s and don’ts to tax advice, the small-business classes are free to any members or members’ employees. 

Like Funk, LeBlanc never considered anywhere but SWLA for his business. 

“I had the option to leave for college, but I didn’t want to leave my home with its amazing culture and people engaged with the community,” he says. “If you have the willingness and work ethic, you will succeed because the community will support you 100%.”

Benefiting Small Businesses in Lake Charles

No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at McNeese State University is set up to benefit startups and existing small-business owners. 

The program provides consultations and frequent workshops to help entrepreneurs who want to eventually launch their endeavors and assists existing business owners with expanding and growing their companies. Known for being a one-stop center, the LSBDC helps with business plan development, market analysis, technology transfer and more. While it’s located in Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish, it also serves Allen, Beauregard, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes – and has for more than 20 years.

To aid startups and small businesses, the LSBDC partners with local organizations like economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, parish governments and business experts. Workshops are held often and headed by professionals like bank lenders, attorneys, public relations specialists, CPAs, investment counselors and tech experts – all of whom provide free advice.

The LSBDC has many success stories of helping entrepreneurs get their start – from assisting with financial projections and writing business plans to preparing to hire employees. 

– Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.