The City of Lake Charles and Hancock Whitney Bank are once again joining together to host LC Launch Small Business Development Week, scheduled for October 20-26, 2024.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and the road for our small business owners has been particularly challenging in recent years,” said Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. “The City of Lake Charles and a number of other agencies offer incredible resources to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and those who wish to grow an established business. LC Launch Small Business Development Week is a concerted effort aimed at providing educational programming to shed a brighter light on these resources.”

“It’s no secret that communities thrive when small businesses thrive, and Hancock Whitney is pleased to join like-minded partners in participation of LC Launch. Together with resource partners and our community, we can foster economic success that makes life better for the people who call this region home. Thank you to the City of Lake Charles and Mayor Hunter for your ongoing commitment to create a more vibrant Lake Charles economy. We look forward to this exciting initiative next month,” said Hancock Whitney Bank Market President James Richard.

The series will kick off on Sunday, October 20, with a Logo Design Workshop for Kids, hosted by Acton Academy and the City of Lake Charles. The workshop will take place at Drew Park (426 Dr. DeBakey Dr.) from 2-3:30 p.m. Interested participants can register at www.actonlakecharles.com. 

On Monday, October 21, a Canva Design Workshop for Business Owners will be held in the Lake Charles City Council Chambers (326 Pujo St.) from noon – 1p.m. This free workshop is hosted by the City of Lake Charles.

From 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. the City of Lake Charles and McNeese State University will host The Convergence of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Burton Business Center located on the McNeese State University Campus (4205 Ryan St.). This workshop will feature Dr. John Noble, co-founder of Quick Take Health.  

Later that evening, from 5:30-7 p.m., the LC Create – Content Creators Networking Event will take place at Historic City Hall (1001 Ryan St.) in the 3rd floor gallery. For more information on the LC Create Challenge, attend contest reveal event on Thursday, September 26, at 5:30 p.m. Visit www.cityoflakecharles.com/create for additional details.  

Tuesday, October 22, will begin with a CEO Roundtable, featuring Ricki Patel, local McDonald’s franchise owner, from noon-1 p.m. in the Lake Charles City Council Chambers. From 3- 4 p.m., the Louisiana Small Development Business Center and McNeese State University will host a free workshop titled Get your Local Business on Google Search and Maps in meeting room B/C at the SEED Center (4301 Ryan St.). 

Tuesday evening will wrap up at Central School Arts & Humanities Center (809 Kirby St.) with Love Your City. This panel discussion, featuring panelists Rusty Metoyer, Lauren Bynum, Matt Young and Jazmin Farraj, will be held from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Benjamin Mount Theatre. Hosted by the City of Lake Charles and Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, Love Your City will be preceded by a social from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. 

On Wednesday, October 23, the Student Entrepreneur Academy will take place from 8 a.m. – noon in the Willis Noland Room at the SEED Center. Email sbop@cityoflc.us to learn more about how to apply.

The day will wrap up with Tech Night for Business Owners, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the T-Mobile Store located at 3505 Derek Dr. T-Mobile, the Lake Charles Regional Minority Business Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lake Charles are hosting this workshop. 

Continuing at the SEED Center (meeting room B/C) on Thursday, October 24, the Louisiana Small Business Development Center and McNeese State University will present a workshop titled The Path to Funding: How to Qualify for a Business Loan, from 4 – 5:30 p.m.  

Thursday, October 24, will wrap up with the Gator Tank Business Pitch Competition, hosted by the City of Lake Charles, at the Lake Charles Event Center from 6-8 p.m.

Entrepreneurs interested in applying to compete in the Gator Tank Business Pitch Competition can download rules and an application at www.cityoflakecharles.com/gatortank. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 4. The grand prize is $2,500.

LC Launch Small Business Development Week will close out on Friday, October 25, with a final workshop focused on Doing Business with Local Government and Affiliates. This workshop will be held in the Lake Charles City Council Chambers from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hosts are the City of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish School Board, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the Port of Lake Charles. 

LC Launch Small Business Development Week is presented in partnership with America’s Small Business Development Center, the SEED Center Business Incubator, Lake Charles Minority Business Chamber of Commerce, McNeese State University, T-Mobile and the Acton Children’s Business Fair.  

All sessions are free to attend. For a downloadable schedule of events, visit www.cityoflakecharles.com/LCLaunch.

Click here to download a printable schedule of events.

Click here for details on LC Launch's Gator Tank.

Click here for details on LC Create.