Why Do Startups in Southwest Louisiana Thrive?
Southwest Louisiana has a flourishing economy, thanks to its growth mindset that has attracted billions of dollars in investments.
But it’s not just big businesses that are finding Southwest Louisiana attractive. The thriving region is also a hotbed of entrepreneurial innovation. Helping bolster entrepreneurship around the region is the Business Incubator of Southwest Louisiana, a place where entrepreneurs can find camaraderie and support.
David Minton, founder of The Cypress Group Engineering & Development, entered the incubator program to grow his business. Gabe Fontenot is behind Hunt Tech, an innovative pest repellent business launching this year. They share their experiences with the incubator program and why Southwest Louisiana is a great place to launch and grow businesses.
Gabe Fontenot, Hunt Tech
Hunt Tech’s focus is to make the outdoors more enjoyable for those who hunt, fish, hike, camp and spend time outdoors.
What makes your product unique?
It’s completely scent and DEET free. Most insect repellents and pesticides use DEET, a chemical that’s been banned in several countries. Growing up in South Louisiana, it’s a challenge to find a good product to repel mosquitos. We were inspired by companies that are improving products like sunscreen. There’s no better repellent out there, so we invented it.
What was your experience going through the incubator?
My favorite thing about it is that you have an office full of people who are building new startups, so the energy, the collaboration and the support are all there. That’s the real selling point.
The incubator has everything from a coffee machine to internet, office facilities and a maintenance team. You don’t have to get a costly storefront when they’re trying to fund a startup. There are always great seminars going on – they’ll have other entrepreneurs who have launched successful businesses do a breakfast. People who are interested in the same thing share a hallway so it’s a built-in resource.
What advice would you give someone thinking of starting a business in Southwest Louisiana?
I’d tell people to do as much research as they can before they jump in. Find some people in your circle and pick their brains. Search for people who have started businesses and take them to lunch because there are so many things you’re not going to think of when you get started.
I underestimated my venture, and every month, I’m learning something new or looking for an expert in the field, whether that’s website design, social media management, lawyers or EPA consulting. My advice is to have a solid business plan and ask lots of questions.
David Minton, The Cypress Group
Minton started The Cypress Group Engineering & Development in 2014. Within the first few months of operating out of a spare bedroom, he realized he needed a dedicated office space, a more professional setting and a quiet place to work and grow the business.
David Minton
How did you wind up at the incubator?
I had heard about the incubator and the Henning SEED Center that had just been built, so we reached out to them. The Henning SEED Center is a joint venture between the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, City of Lake Charles, McNeese State University and the SWLA Economic Development Alliance. The Business Incubator is housed at the Henning SEED Center across from the McNeese State campus.
We’ve grown since then to have 28 employees. We’ve done work throughout Southwest Louisiana and have had several field crews working for us. We like the current size of the company and aren’t looking to turn it into an international company. We’ve met the goals and objectives that we have as business owners.
What was your experience going through the incubator?
We’ve been part of some collaborative discussions with people at the incubator, including others who were Henning SEED Center tenants at the time, that have flourished into other business opportunities. That was an interesting part of it, having that connectivity with other people who are trying to get a startup going, too. You’re right down the hall from people who can offer their services to one another.
We had to go to check-in meetings, and I came to learn that those kinds of discussions are important for the Henning SEED Center. The Business Incubator is a great program, and I’m their biggest cheerleader. It’s a great asset. It’s a hidden gem that few people in the business community know about.
What advice would you give someone thinking of starting a business in Southwest Louisiana?
This area is home for me, and that was one reason we saw a need in the market for engineering services. We’ve got such a large opportunity for business creation in a fairly small community. I’d say don’t be afraid to ask for help because there are plenty of people willing to give it, but if you don’t ask, you’ll never know. Don’t be afraid to take the leap. It’s very important when you have a small business to go all in and make sure the business succeeds.
