In the glitzy event room of L’Auberge Casino and Hotel in Baton Rouge, rising entrepreneurs and their families gathered Friday for a luncheon to recognize the success of the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by LSU alumni.
The fifth annual LSU 100 Honorees’ Luncheon was held by E.J. Ourso College of Business’ Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute.
All guests cheered on Global Commerce and Services, LLC President and CEO Joaneane Smith as she won the No. 1 ranking for the LSU 100 list for the second year in a row.
The LSU Alumni Association, the LSU Foundation, Postlethwaite and Netterville and the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation sponsored the event. Elizabeth Thomas, Center for Planning Excellence president and CEO, served as the master of ceremonies.
“Starting a company is relatively easy,” Thomas said. “[The LSU 100] have grown and sustained a company over time.”
Smith, the two-time LSU 100 top company owner, said in addition to her mother and grandmother, she owed her success to the company that laid her off before she launched Global Commerce and Services.
An African-American woman and five-year breast cancer survivor, Smith said it was difficult to launch her dream in an industry dominated by white males.
Today, Smith’s company engineers, manages and secures information technology systems for federal agencies. Founded in 2000, the Harvey-based business won the 2010 and 2011 Hubzone Contractor of the Year award.
“Whether it’s surviving breast cancer or building a successful business, it all starts with faith,” Smith said.
Thomas said the luncheon began as a way to recognize alumni entrepreneurs.
To qualify, companies had to be in business at least five years as of 2015 and must have had verifiable revenues for the 2012-14 calendar years, Thomas said. A former LSU student must have served as the company’s chief executive in the past year, owned 50 percent or more of the company or founded and served as an active leading member of the company.
Companies must also operate in a manner consistent with the image and keeping of LSU and SEI to be considered, she said.
“A Tiger does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do,” said Postlethwaite and Netterville Consulting Director Robin Pilcher, who was on the program’s selection committee.
Pilcher said Friday 25 companies joined the LSU 100 list for the first time.
Honorees were asked to share their most poignant kernels of wisdom about the business world. All 100 submissions– some comical, some serious and some inspiring– were included in the event’s program.
“The business world can be a roller coaster of challenges, but all you need is WIT,” wrote Paper Rock Scissors, LLC, “ — whatever it takes.”