BIZ. Magazine - December, 2014

December 2014

DELIVERED TO BUSINESS LEADERS THROUGHOUT SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER

Magazine

2 BIZ. Magazine • December 2014

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How Do You Track This Information?

Medical Recordsare the key to your

health care experience

Tired of Filling Out These Forms?

An electronic health record, or EHR, ensures that your medical information is quickly and securely accessible to you and your doctors.

To learn more about EHRs, talk to your health care providers or visit lhcqf.org for an EHR patient guide.

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The First Word

December 2014 • BIZ. Magazine 3

When I came back to Specht Newspapers, Inc. in 2011, David Specht gave me a bookwith a quiz in it that asked me basic questions to identify assets of my personality.“Strengths Finder 2.0” by Tom Rath will provide the top five themes of my personalstrengths and give strategies for unlocking their potential. Number four on the listwas “perspective.” It’s an easy theme for me to see in myself. I believe in the midstof busy, tough, or even disappointing times that you need to take a step back and

see not only where you are as of right now, but also what the future can mean for you.

Essentially, that is what this month’s BIZ. is all about. We’re taking a step outside of ourselves,at one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year, to see not only where we’ve been,but where we are going. It’s easy to get lost this time of year amidst the holidays and rushingaround to meet end-of-year deadlines and goals. That’s why I’m all for taking a moment to getperspective on what has been accomplished this year and what the potential holds for the fu-ture.

Predicting the future is folly. But computingpioneer (and someone who is WAY smarterthan I) Alan Kay said, “The best way to pre-dict the future is to invent it.” The greatthing about this edition is that our featurehas thoughts on where NWLA is headed in2015 and beyond with people who havethe power and ability to shape the futureof this area. They believe great things are instore and they will more than likely makethat a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Moreover, I want to encourage and em-power you to take your future into yourown hands. You still have time to change your fortunes and make a difference to arrest a slideor further pump up profits. Set goals for the next 12 months and get ready for the long road toachieve them. Set up accountability to monitor your progress next year so forecasting what liesahead is easier. Dream big and shoot for the moon — if you miss and land among the stars,you’re still better than being stuck back on Earth.

Are there mitigating factors that determine how things turn out? Sure. But that doesn’t meanyou can have an attitude of powerlessness or of letting the chips fall where they may. You canstill take initiative by seeing where you’re headed in the next 12 months and whether that

means disaster or boon for your business.

Take a few minutes, even days, to take stock of your busi-ness or venture and see what you did right, pat yourself onthe back, and then examine where you went wrong. Comeup with a game plan to keep the wrongs from happeningagain in 2015, even if that means adopting a new philoso-phy. Then write down measurable, specific goals withdeadlines and stick to them. If you have a team, get themto do the same and tell you what they found. Their per-spective could make a huge difference in what you dogoing forward. Then, finally, stand up and lead.

I promise you, that if you want it, great things are in store.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from BIZ.

Take a breatherUse this holiday month to reflect

and plan ahead for 2015

Sean GreenSean is vice president/publisher ofBIZ. You can reach him by [email protected].


Contents

Volume 5, Number 12 | ©Copyright 2014 by Specht Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved. BIZ. is published each month by Specht Newspapers,Inc. at 4250 Viking Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111. Telephone (318) 747-7900. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered tobe reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

14Where is NWLA headed?Local and state business leaders discuss theirviews and forecasts for the economy and business climate in the upcoming year.

16Hiring disabled and disadvantagedworkersLook at utilizing the efforts and skills of disabledand disadvantaged workers who can serve as anasset to your business.

26Spotlight:Lens serviceLocal photogra-pher Mollie Cor-bett strives toimpact all facetsof her communityin a positive way.

3 Take a breatherUse the holiday month to reflect and plan for 2015.

6 Do with what you’ve gotFocus on doing your best with what you have.

1o Digital media overloadCritical digital marketing needs for 2015.

12 Looking ahead with intentionBig plans, work lies ahead for Bossier Chamber in 2015.

21 Dave Says — On BusinessHow do you reignite a sales team member’s fire once theyhave reached a financial goal?

24 ‘Twisted Mule’The first local draft cocktail at Shreveport’s Twisted Root Burger Company.

Regulars

On the CoverForecasting what 2015 and beyond holds for

the area with views from local experts on

what they expect from the area's economy as

well as how Shreveport-Bossier will continue

to change and evolve.

BIZ. News OnlineThe BIZ. website at www.nwlabusiness.com is Shreveport-Bossier’shome for business news, updated as it happens. In addition, users cansign up for a free BIZ. Daily Report to keep up with BIZ. news from thecomfort of their Inbox.

Contact Us: [email protected]

Since my crystal ball has fogged up, I can’t guess what is in store for Shreveport-Bossier’s businesses in 2015. I can predict what I would like to see happen. I knowwhat can bring us all a positive impact. I want a business community that says “ThankYou”, “Welcome”, “Come Back” and “We appreciate your business”. I guess you knowwhat I mean….GREAT SERVICE resulting in RAVING FANS*.

When people say service to me, I remember lots of stories from my speaking career. In 2009, Ihad the pleasure of speaking to two groups of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association. One ofthe stays was in a wonderful restored hotel called the Hotel Seville Magnuson Grand in Harri-

son, Ark. It was grand!

One of the highlights of our time was the “check-out”. Iknow it sounds strange, but it was meaningful. I’ve grownsensitive to service…especially when I leave a hotel orrestaurant.

As I signed the final bill, the lady behind the counterasked me if I had enjoyed my stay. I said “yes”. Sheleaned forward, lit up with a broad smile (passion), lookedme squarely in the eyes and responded…

“I love it when our customers say they enjoyed theirstay. Please come back.”

What do you say when clients call, walk through the frontdoor or buy? What do members of your support teamsay? How is the phone answered…every time? Do yousend personalized Thank You Notes?

Good Selling!

Jerry

*Raving Fans, A revolutionary Approach to Customer Service,Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles

Jerry FrentressSpeaker & Coach, Win-Win Power(ful)Tools for Sales, Service and EmployeeInterviewing. Website: www.WinWin-PowerTools.com.

Business Facebook:www.Facebook.com/WinWinPower-Tools . 453-6080 / Bossier City

4 BIZ. Magazine • December 2014 December 2014 • BIZ. Magazine 5

3 Take a breatherUse the holiday month to reflect and plan for 2015.

6 Do with what you’ve gotFocus on doing your best with what you have.

1o Digital media overloadCritical digital marketing needs for 2015.

12 Looking ahead with intentionBig plans, work lies ahead for Bossier Chamber in 2015.

21 Dave Says — On BusinessHow do you reignite a sales team member’s fire once theyhave reached a financial goal?

24 ‘Twisted Mule’The first local draft cocktail at Shreveport’s Twisted Root Burger Company.

Win-Win Powertools

Since my crystal ball has fogged up, I can’t guess what is in store for Shreveport-Bossier’s businesses in 2015. I can predict what I would like to see happen. I knowwhat can bring us all a positive impact. I want a business community that says “ThankYou”, “Welcome”, “Come Back” and “We appreciate your business”. I guess you knowwhat I mean….GREAT SERVICE resulting in RAVING FANS*.

When people say service to me, I remember lots of stories from my speaking career. In 2009, Ihad the pleasure of speaking to two groups of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association. One ofthe stays was in a wonderful restored hotel called the Hotel Seville Magnuson Grand in Harri-

son, Ark. It was grand!

One of the highlights of our time was the “check-out”. Iknow it sounds strange, but it was meaningful. I’ve grownsensitive to service…especially when I leave a hotel orrestaurant.

As I signed the final bill, the lady behind the counterasked me if I had enjoyed my stay. I said “yes”. Sheleaned forward, lit up with a broad smile (passion), lookedme squarely in the eyes and responded…

“I love it when our customers say they enjoyed theirstay. Please come back.”

What do you say when clients call, walk through the frontdoor or buy? What do members of your support teamsay? How is the phone answered…every time? Do yousend personalized Thank You Notes?

Good Selling!

Jerry

*Raving Fans, A revolutionary Approach to Customer Service,Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles

Jerry FrentressSpeaker & Coach, Win-Win Power(ful)Tools for Sales, Service and EmployeeInterviewing. Website: www.WinWin-PowerTools.com.

Business Facebook:www.Facebook.com/WinWinPower-Tools . 453-6080 / Bossier City

2015 will seemore raving fans


Randy BrownAdvertising/Marketing Guru

He is the Publisher of the BossierPress-Tribune, as well as AdvertisingDirector for Bossier Newspaper Pub-lishing Company, Inc., publishers ofthe BPT and BIZ. Magazine. Randy maybe reached [email protected]

Marketing B-S (Bossier-Shreveport)

So many times, we get caught up in theflow of both our business and personallives. As such, both the routines andtasks that we all go through just to getthrough the day can seem never ending.And sometimes, this causes us to lose

sight of our goals. In short, we lose our focus. Ashuman nature dictates, we all have multiple ex-cuses for why this happens. For me, this seems tobe happening quite a bit lately. We must realizethat this happens to all of us!

We all have different ways of dealing with thesetypes of situations. I have been working on im-proving my focus by simply concentrating ondoing the best I can with what I have...and doingthe things that I am best at doing. As I talkedabout in last month’s column, not trying to be all

things to all people. And as I mentioned lastmonth, I am finding someone else on the team todo the things that I am not good at doing. Essen-tially, delegating and finding others to do thetasks that I am vacating or not good atdoing....the things that I do not enjoy.

Taking all of the above into consideration, I amalso finding new ways to be both very happy andvery excited about what I am doing and why I amhere doing it! One of the new things I have dis-covered is to make the very best out of what Ihave to work with in terms of: technology, teammembers, facilities, production, etc. Actually, thelist can get rather long very quickly. What I amsaying is, simply be happy with what you haveand make the most out of where you are untilyou can do better.

Always aim higher than where you are now, butalso make the most out of where you are now! Inthe long run, this will lead to much greater hap-piness and productivity for both you and yourteam members.

Do with what you’ve gotFocus on doing your best with what you have

...be happy with whatyou have & make the

most out of where youare until you can do

better.


So many times, we get caught up in theflow of both our business and personallives. As such, both the routines andtasks that we all go through just to getthrough the day can seem never ending.And sometimes, this causes us to lose

sight of our goals. In short, we lose our focus. Ashuman nature dictates, we all have multiple ex-cuses for why this happens. For me, this seems tobe happening quite a bit lately. We must realizethat this happens to all of us!

We all have different ways of dealing with thesetypes of situations. I have been working on im-proving my focus by simply concentrating ondoing the best I can with what I have...and doingthe things that I am best at doing. As I talkedabout in last month’s column, not trying to be all

things to all people. And as I mentioned lastmonth, I am finding someone else on the team todo the things that I am not good at doing. Essen-tially, delegating and finding others to do thetasks that I am vacating or not good atdoing....the things that I do not enjoy.

Taking all of the above into consideration, I amalso finding new ways to be both very happy andvery excited about what I am doing and why I amhere doing it! One of the new things I have dis-covered is to make the very best out of what Ihave to work with in terms of: technology, teammembers, facilities, production, etc. Actually, thelist can get rather long very quickly. What I amsaying is, simply be happy with what you haveand make the most out of where you are untilyou can do better.

Always aim higher than where you are now, butalso make the most out of where you are now! Inthe long run, this will lead to much greater hap-piness and productivity for both you and yourteam members.


Biz ToolsDo Something

The speed of business is ever increasing. The successful business leaderstays on top of the tools and information to help his company grow.

App of the Month

Business Plan PremierThis $7.99 iPad app does double-duty for users who are eager to have their business planbacked fast. Business Plan Premier leads you through writing your company's vision and missionstatements, product descriptions and marketing plans. You can also use it to complete competi-tive and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, outline your manage-ment scheme, identify your startup expenses, define your target market and more depending onyour needs. Business Plan Lite is the free (but much less functional) version of the app.— Entrepreneur.com

On the BIZ. Tools Podcast

This Month:Be Wary Who You Partner With

Serving Your Market in Different Ways

Last MonthRecognizing and Navigating ‘The Dip’

Avoiding BurnoutMotivation Needed

Listen to the BIZ. Tools Podcast at:biztoolspodcast.com

#WorthFollowing

@davidaspecht@thebiztools

@Social_Robin@AcceleratedBE

@bossierchamber

Book of the Month

Using an astutely written fictional tale to unambiguouslybut painlessly deliver some hard truths about critical busi-ness procedures, Patrick Lencioni targets group behaviorin the final entry of his trilogy of corporate fables. And likethose preceding it, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is anentertaining, quick read filled with useful information that

will prove easy to digest and implement. This time, Lencioniweaves his lessons around the story of a troubled Silicon Valleyfirm and its unexpected choice for a new CEO: an old-school man-ager who had retired from a traditional manufacturing companytwo years earlier at age 55. Showing exactly how existing person-nel failed to function as a unit, and precisely how the new bossworked to reestablish that essential conduct, the book's first partcolorfully illustrates the ways that teamwork can elude even themost dedicated individuals--and be restored by an insightfulleader. A second part offers details on Lencioni's "five dysfunc-tions" (absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment,avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results), along witha questionnaire for readers to use in evaluating their own teamsand specifics to help them understand and overcome these com-mon shortcomings.

— Amazon.com


More Tools

This month: “PPP: Plan, Prepare, Practice”

Friday, Dec. 129 a.m.

CoHab in Red River DistrictJoin us for coffee, breakfast & a lesson

HHow well do you know your customers? Your clients? Your owncompany? In today’s cynical business climate, building trust is akeystone of success. However, knowing all you need to know is aprocess, one you shouldn’t practice on your customers andclients. Jerry and David discuss how to plan, prepare and practicefor success.


You don’t need a Ouija board to know that 2015 will still be a mar-keting message overload! Marketing messages come at us in anever ending stream. Where and how we consume informationchanges and evolves - now we consume on demand and on thego. Few people walk out of their house without their cell phonesand often take a tablet. With so many things competing for our

attention, you have to keep up with the latest trends to know where andhow to market.

Look for these things to be critical in your digital marketing in 2015:

n You must have an optimized mobile friendly website. People use theirphones for searches on the spot, and mobile searches are growing fasterthan desktop searches. Consumers who search on mobile are more likelyto take action, whether that’s visiting your store that day or purchasingproducts from you. It’s all based on their experience. You can’t afford tolose a customer because your website isn’t mobile ready.

n Great content writing is a must. Your message should entertain andprovide insight in order to build rapport and a loyal following. Ann Hand-ley says to “be generously useful” with your content. Provide informationthey will thank you for. Think visual storytelling and humor! This is a huge

trend and is designed to humanize the face and voice of your business.

n Paid exposure in social media came to the forefront with Facebookleading the way. Their business pages are now essentially “pay to play,”so in order to get noticed in an omni-present content marketing world,you need to budget money for promoted posts or ads. This also meansyou will have to be great at analyzing and optimizing when and where toshare your message.

n Have you ever been browsing a website looking for a specific productand then when you go to a completely different website, an ad for thatvery item appears in the sidebar? That’s called ad retargeting, and it usescookies to re-advertise products you recently searched for but didn’t pur-chase. Your own advertising dollars can now target shoppers who alreadyknow and like your products and have been on your website.In 2015 keep the marketing basics, but in order to be heardyou’ll need to look for, evaluate and leverage new technologies for deliv-ering your marketing message.

Thank you for reading along this past year! Stay tuned for a great 2015.

Uncommon Sense Marketing

Amy KinnairdMarketing StrategistTrainer and Speaker

With over 35 years experience in mar-keting and training, Amy helps busi-ness owners put together the rightplan. If you struggle with your market-ing and don’t know where to start…If what you used to do for marketingisn’t working anymore…If it’s time toget clear about your business andcome up with a good plan…call Amy at318-795-0520 or visit her website:www.UnCommonSenseMarketing.com

Critical digital marketing needs for 2015

Digital media overload


Digital media overload It’s Time to

celebrate

G A M B L I N G P R O B L E M ? 8 0 0 . 5 2 2 . 4 7 0 0

Must be 21 or older to attend. Entertainment start times may vary. ©2014 Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

BoomtownBossier @BoomtownBC BoomtownBC

For more information call 318.746.0711or visit BoomtownBossier.com CASINO HOTEL

BOSSIER CITY, LA

WELCOME TO

Champagne Toast at Midnight

Free Live Entertainment9pm – 1am

Cash Winners Every 30 Minutes8pm – 11pm

celebrate

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Our state has spent the majority of 2014 in celebration of tremendous growth. North-west Louisiana in particular has put several feathers in its cap over the course of thisyear with announcements of economic advancements and job creation. With the in-flux of new jobs comes the responsibility to welcome the new comers to our commu-nity as they transition.

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce willcontinue the work began in 2014 with thelaunch of the quality of life websitewww.bossierinnovates.com. The site isaimed to help welcome and transition newprofessionals to our area as they seek tolearn more about the community’s culture,schools and neighborhoods. Because ofthe influx in new young professionals inour area the Bossier Chamber felt that itwas important to develop this comprehen-sive one stop shop resource for individualsand businesses looking establish a base inBossier City.

As we move into 2015, the Bossier Cham-ber of Commerce looks to the future with intention. As an organization committed to the ad-vancement of the interests in NWLA, the Bossier Chamber will continue to advocate for growthin Northwest Louisiana through various programs and initiatives. And, speaking of programs in2015, we’ve got a lot in store for our members and community! Since the completion of our in-augural Total Resource Campaign, we have been able to add several key programs to help in-crease our membership’s ROI. The staff at the Bossier Chamber has put together innovativeprograms engaged with members in mind, giving our members more opportunities to show-case their business and connect with the community.

We’ve celebrated growth this year, but there’s more to look forward to in 2015. We expect tosee Bossier City’s landscape continue to evolve in order to attract and attain young profession-als. Bossier City Project Coordinator, Pam Glorioso, shares the City’s plans for making Bossieran attractive place to call home for young professionals: “Millennials are the new young pro-

fessionals, which are emerging into Bossier City’s workforce as a key force in the digital employment arena. TheCity’s new downtown plan will focus on redevelopment ofthe area to appeal to this generation and others who arelooking for an urban lifestyle. Our desire is to focus on thecreative class to lure them to the downtown area with newart recreational events, attractions, and developments ex-panding the scope of the downtown area. As new develop-ments arise in the coming years, we are planning for anincrease in occupancy in the downtown area and an in-crease of new retail and entertainment venues.”

So, stay engaged this year as we continue to grow andchange! We’re a Parish on the move!

#BossierInnovatesGinger CollierDirector of Communications,Bossier Chamber of Commerce

Looking aheadwith intentionBig plans, work lies ahead in 2015

Tuesday, January 27 6 PMCenturyLink Center

Honoring 2014 Business & Business Person of the YearTables & Tickets Available Now!

www.bossierchamber.com • 318-746-0252 • [email protected]

Sponsored by:

LEADERMETRO

Newspaper

CASINO HOTELBOSSIER CITY, LA

WELCOME TO

From the Bossier Chamber


Looking aheadwith intentionBig plans, work lies ahead in 2015

While LCI Workers’ Comp has never loosened a single lug nut, we have worked alongside local business owners for more than 25 years—providing expert guidance, exceptional service and free training programs like QuickBooksTM, online marketing, and safety education. :: lciwc.com :: 985-612-1230

Put us to work for you.

From the Bossier Chamber


Cover Story

Continued on Page 18

Story & Graphic By Sean Green Cover Story

As 2014 draws to a close, it would be easy to rest on the things accomplished this yearand reflect. Instead, local business leaders are already looking to what lies ahead forShreveport-Bossier in 2015 with another eye on what could come down the pike evenfurther ahead. Many know the potential of northwest Louisiana and are working tomake that economic muscle bear fruit. Below, you’ll see what they have to say aboutwhat we can expect in our business world over the next 12 months.

Lisa Johnson, president of the Bossier Chamber ofCommerce — “We look to 2015 with intention; theintention to grow, support and develop Bossier intoone of the best communities in the country. Overthe course of the year, our region, specificallyBossier City, has gained significant recognition notonly throughout the state but also on a nationallevel. We are leading the way in many initiativesfrom technology to education andpartnerships. Our forward thinking leaders have in-vested a great deal into our future, and locally weare seeing those investments come to fruition. Withthe announcement from Cyber Innovation Centeron the 800 plus jobs coming from anchor tenant,CSC, we can expect to see the already boomingpopulation to continue to grow in 2015. TheBossier Chamber of Commerce is ready to supportand welcome the many new faces that will relocateto the area through our comprehensiverelocation/transition websiteMovetoBossier.com. Folks seeking informationabout Bossier Parish and the quality of life we offeras a community have a one-stop-shop resource tohelp guide them through a relocation. Bossierleaders have been proactive in looking at the big-ger picture for the future. We will continue to seegrowth in economic development areas because ofthe proactive leadership. Through collaborative ef-forts of the education system and the partnershipsto help with talent development initiatives in orderto sustain the demand for skilled labor, we havecreated the ‘perfect storm’ for success. Keeping allof those new residents here with us is also a focusfor 2015. As we mentioned quality of life plays abig factor in economic development. City andParish leaders have come together, along with inputfrom the community, to repurpose and developboth Downtown Bossier and South Bossier.”

Dick Bremer, president of the Greater ShreveportChamber of Commerce — “Shreveport faces manychallenges in the coming year, but the city also hasmuch to celebrate,” said Dick Bremer, President ofthe Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.With a talented new Superintendent in Dr. Goree,Caddo schools have the guidance to ensure ourkids are not only graduating, but are also learningthe quality skills they need to enter the workforce.The Chamber hopes our community will elect astrong and cooperative group of School Boardmembers who can work with Dr. Goree to meet theneeds of our struggling schools. The City is alsopoised to expand regional transportation infra-structure. Two transportations studies will be com-pleted next year, hopefully leading to the muchneeded expansion of 3132 to the Port, where Ben-teler Steel will begin production in 2015 and thesecond study focuses on finding a route throughthe city to connect to the I-49 north corridor. Withthe election of new local political representativesin City Council and the Mayoral seat, we also hopeto see improvements made to our burdened waterand sewer systems, as well as the completion ofprojects covered by the 2011 bond issue.”

David “Rocky” Rockett, Jr., executive director/presi-dent of the Greater Bossier Economic DevelopmentFoundation — “Where does the GBEDF (GreaterBossier Economic Development Foundation) seeour community headed into 2015 and beyond intothe second decade of the 21st century? To be ableto think about where we are going, it is importantto reflect on our past. Lets go back 5 years and seethe birth of the Haynesville Shale as an economicnational player, let’s see the beginning of what be-came Air Force Global Strike Command at BAFB andlet’s look at the catalyst that allowed us to bring acreative economy of movies and animation as wellas an atmosphere for gaming that shows statewidesuccess. If we take the ingredients that were bornat the beginning of the decade, we can now look atthe gas/wet plays that have allowed the U.S. to re-duce our dependence on foreign oil, we have pur-sued large growth jobs in the oil and gas sectors aswell as the information technology sectors at theNational Cyber Research Park as well as a spur inthe growth of our manufacturing sector. We havelocated a new gaming boat in our area as well ashousing an Oscar winning animation studio in ourcommunities. Long and short, we see 2015 as ayear where we will need to develop further con-cepts in growing the necessary workforce to fill thejob needs we have created in various sectors of oureconomy. I believe it is safe to say that there is ajob in this area and a mechanism to educate youfor that job should you choose…if not, we will needto begin in-migration programs in earnest to fill thejobs we have brought to the area. That is a goodthing to help grow our population, our demograph-ics and allows this area to pursue more opportuni-ties for additional retail, and purchasing choices inNorthwest Louisiana. I’m curious who could haveseen much of this activity in 2000, let alone 2010…we believe 2015 is a year of growth and successthat will also be the new foundation of extraordi-nary growth going into the third decade beyond2020.”

Steven Waguespack, president of the Louisiana As-sociation of Business and Industry — “NorthwestLouisiana is poised for growth in 2015 and contin-ues to play a critical role in the manufacturing ren-aissance taking place in Louisiana. The region isexpected to add 1,300 jobs in 2015 and another1,400 in 2016, anchored by major investmentssuch as Benteler Steel’s $665 million tube mill atthe Port of Caddo-Bossier and the 800 new jobsthat will fill the 116,000-square-foot Computer Sci-ence Corp Technology Center under construction atthe National Cyber Research Park. National publica-tions such as Forbes, Money and the Southern Busi-ness & Development Journal continue to highlightthe region as one to watch for in the coming year. Itis critical that the region focus on developing aqualified workforce, addressing transportation andinfrastructure impediments and ensuring a busi-ness-friendly regulatory environment to maximizethis great opportunity. We at LABI look forward toworking closely with the area’s elected officials, ed-ucators and community leaders to help the region’seconomy meet its tremendous potential.”


Cover Story

The growth of the Cyber Innovation Center’sNational Cyber Research Park in Bossier Cityand the continued national roll-out of its cybereducation model across the nation will be amajor storyline to follow in 2015.

“The future is bright. In 2015, CSC will con-tinue to ramp up its number of employees lo-cated at the CIC and we’ll see great progresswith the construction of CSC’s Integrated Tech-nology Center – an 110,000 SF facility that willopen in 2016,” said Craig Spohn, President ofCyber Innovation Center.

CSC, one of the world’s largest technologycompanies, announced in February 2014 thatthey would be locating 800 jobs to the Na-tional Cyber Research Park. Ground has beenbroken on CSC’s new building and construc-tion is progressing towards an early 2016opening.

In addition to the CSC Integrated TechnologyCenter, the CIC expects addi-tional construction projects tobegin in 2015. The CIC hasplans to build a cyber researchfacility that will be a home forcutting-edge cyber researchand a hub for technology com-mercialization. “This facilitywill bring new jobs and addi-tional high-end cyber researchto our park. It will also openthe door to new opportunities with cyber start-ups and spin-offs, an entrepreneurship ecosys-tem,” said Mr. Spohn.

In addition to adding new, high paying jobs toNWLA’s industry, CIC’s National IntegratedCyber Education Research Center (NICERC) hasbeen in the process of estab-lishing a cyber education cur-riculum — a curriculum thatexperts highlighted as one ofthe nation’s best at the 2014National Initiative for Cyber Ed-ucation (NICE) Conference inNovember. With funding fromthe Department of HomelandSecurity, the CIC is distributingits curricula across the countryand expects to train over 15,000 studentswhile impacting more than 2 million studentsover the next 8 years.

“We are entering Year 2 of a 10 year roll out.Over the next 12 months, we will be dramati-cally expanding our national footprint, ” saidG.B. Cazes, Vice President of the Cyber Innova-tion Center. Ultimately, the CIC’s cyber curricu-lum will be implemented in all 50 states withthe goal of building the nation’s future cyberworkforce.

NICERC’s curriculum will expand to severalnew states in the next nine months includingCalifornia, Maryland, Minnesota, New York,North Carolina, and Tennessee. In addition, the2015 Education Discovery Forum (EDF) will beheld at the Shreveport Convention Center andexpects to attract more than 300 teachers from

CIC to have big year

G.B. Cazes

Dick BremerPresident,Greater Shreveport Chamber ofCommerce

Lisa JohnsonPresident,Bossier Chamber of Commerce

David “Rocky” RocketteExec. Director/President,Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation

Continued on Page 25

Craig Spohn


Hiring

They are no different than you and I, faced with day to day challenges life throws theirway, one challenge in particular, unemployed. Although challenges can be present inany area of life, those encountered while seeking a job can be the greatest. For thosewho are disadvantaged or disabled, challenges can be seen as never ending barriers toemployment.

These barriers range from criminal background, lack of education or employment history, wel-fare recipients, homelessness or even a significant disability. But with the help from partners inthe community like you, the job search can be much more bearable and successful.

Disadvantaged or disabled workers can be the greatest asset to your organization leading to in-creased revenue, new customers or referrals, and overall boosting personal and companymoral. One of the best benefits they offer is allowing companies to save money, beginning withthe work opportunity tax credit. When a company hires a disadvantaged or disabled worker,they become eligible to receive this tax credit annually. Newly hired workers falling in one ormore of these categories, including but not limited to: Ex-Felon, TANF Recipient, Summer Youth,and Vocation Rehabilitation Referral, SNAP Recipient, etc. allow an organization to qualify forthis tax break. Saving a few extra dollars with each employee you hire can have a significantimpact on your total generated revenue.

Another benefit disadvantage or disabled workers offer is increased customer volume and cre-ating positive company image to competitors and the community. By hiring these individualsas employees, you are exposing your organization to a variety of potential customers and com-munity advocates that all play a hand in making sure this employee is successful on the job.With this employee comes access to a pool of agencies that can be used as supports to yourbusiness and what you have to offer them. For example, an employee is hired by your organiza-tion, who was referred by Company A, who also referred the employee to Company B for in-creased support, who in return referred them to Company C based on your hiring need. Byhiring this one candidate you have essentially gained three new community partners, who haveall invested in your candidate’s employment success. With this exposure the employee can be-come a success story to those in their community and refer other candidates like themselves topursue your business versus another. By making sure this candidate is successful, you are ableto touch the lives of their family and many others.

At this point, you have not only saved money, been ex-posed to several new community partners and referrals,but you have also made a step toward enhancing the livesof others by hiring a disadvantaged or disabled worker. Al-though these workers may not come from the best walksof life, they arrive with many hands of support and expec-tations for development and success. These are the disad-vantaged workers that surround us. Their presence standsstrong in the current workforce. By showing your currentemployees that you care and are able to create a learningenvironment for them and others, you have begun pavinga pathway to success. By creating this pathway you shouldfeel proud and know your employees appreciate you andthe beneficial work environment you help create. To you, itmay just be another job you’ve filled, but to them it justmay be the world!

Hiring disabled & disadvantaged

workersOffer several assets for your business

Karmen RubinOpen Placement Manager for Goodwill

Industries of North Louisiana


From the Shreveport Chamber

Shreveport and the greater northwestLouisiana region will face many strugglesin 2015, but a well-reasoned, pre-emp-tive and thoughtful solutions-based ap-proach could pave the way tounprecedented opportunity. The Greater

Shreveport Chamber is excited and optimisticabout the coming year and the progress beingmade toward solving some of the deeper andmore systemic issues our community faces.

The primary struggle our region must face is aneffort to improve our underperforming K-12schools.

More than 56 percent of Caddo Parish schools arerated at a D or F level, while approximately 37percent of our students do not graduate from highschool.

This trend must be curbed if our region is to re-main a competitive and attractive location fortech based businesses which require a highly ed-ucated and skilled labor force.

The Chamber is working closely with CaddoSchools' new Superintendent, Dr. Theodis Goree,who has been both active and energetic in hisnew role.

A committee of Chamber representatives, staffand other community members meets monthlywith Dr. Goree to discuss how businesses and theentire community can best provide support forthe school system.

Through these committee meetings, Dr. Goree has

already demonstrated a willingness to workwithin the community to find solutions to the verypressing issues our Caddo School System faces inthe coming year.

With the hope that the recent elections lead to acooperative and proactive School Board in 2015,the Chamber is confident Dr. Goree will makeprogress. The Chamber has pledged to do all wecan to help turn our schools back into facilities wecan all be proud of.

While Shreveport continues to struggle with therising cost of road maintenance, the region ispoised on the brink of an incredible economic ad-vantage as a transportation epicenter.

Next year, two transportation studies are sched-uled to conclude. One study is focused on the im-pact of expanding the 3132 loop to the Port ofCaddo Bossier. This expansion is an essential eco-nomic stimulator, which would provide a directroute to the Port from I-20 and I-49.

This route will provide an easy and cost-efficiententrance and exit for goods shipped to and fromthe Port.

The economic value of such an expansion cannotbe understated. The Port is home to several majorindustrial groups, such as Benteler Steel, an im-pressive industrial business which is slated tobegin production in 2015. Benteler and other in-dustries depend upon easy and convenient sup-ply lines if they are to maintain and increasegrowth.

The second study examines the potential for aninner city connection to the I-49 north expansion.Such a connection would allow a tremendousamount of the nation's road traffic to pass directlythrough our city, and would also provide a benefitto businesses seeking to export goods from theregion.

Additionally, the Chamber hopes to see new andimproved air service to Shreveport's Regional Air-port. The potential for more direct flights to andfrom Shreveport Regional could mean evengreater tourism numbers, and the improved acces-sibility to other parts of the nation could be bene-ficial in attracting talented laborers to our area.

With a new Mayor, and several new City Councilmembers the city government will hopefully com-plete the projects covered by the 2011 bondissue, which the people voted for over four yearsago.

The funds would be used to complete projects forour deteriorating water and sewage systems andperform needed work on roads.

Ultimately, Shreveport and the surrounding regionhave many issues to tackle, in order to ensure ourfuture economic sustainability, but these strug-gles are eclipsed by our city's potential.

With a proactive, cooperative and solutions-basedgovernment, willing to work with our establishedand up-and-coming business community, there ismuch to look forward to in 2015.

The need to improve Shreveport’s schools, transportation and infrastructure in 2015

Michael DoughtyVP Membership Development & Marketing Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce

A lot of workahead


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By far, the greatest barrier to health insurance coveragein America today is cost. One of the greatest issuesfacing most employers is how to provide an attractivebenefit package, while controlling costs that continueto rise.

As implementation of the Patient Protection and AffordableCare Act (PPACA) progresses, there is much confusion amongall the stakeholders. Many employers, particularly smallerones, cannot afford to maintain benefits and increase their de-gree of contribution to employee coverage. As employer re-sponsibility requirements continue to grow, more emphasis isbeing placed on governmental compliance. Education is ex-tremely important, as rules and regulations change daily.

No effort to promote health insurance access and choice in anaffordable and financially sustainable way will be successful inthe long run if the nation doesn’t address the underlying prob-lem with the existing system: the skyrocketing cost of medicalcare.

The establishment of health insurance exchanges is one of the

most significant reforms contained in PPACA. Beginning Janu-ary 1, 2014, health care reform required most individuals tohave some form of health insurance through the individualmandate or pay a penalty. Exchanges are transforming the na-tion’s private healthcare marketplace for individuals and smallbusinesses buying coverage. The State of Louisiana opted notto create its own exchange, therefore, the Federal Market Placeopened for business last fall.

Partners Scott Martin, Scott Alexander, and Hedy Hebert makeup Bossier City’s Benefit Consulting Services (BCS) and usetheir diverse backgrounds to offer a competitive advantage inexperience, certifications and a client centered approach topurchasing healthcare benefits. They will ensure employersand individuals of all sizes purchase health insurance, usetheir coverage effectively and make sure they get the most outof the benefits they have purchased.

BCS has contracted with a company called Enroll Louisiana tohelp people purchase individual or family coverage, while tak-ing advantage of the potential subsidies available to them.Purchasing healthcare coverage can be quite daunting andconfusing if individuals decide to utilize the government’s

website, www.healthcare.gov. The employees at EnrollLouisiana are trained to ask questions that will help find thepolicy that is best for the individual, while making every effortto help them obtain financial subsidies to offset the tremen-dous health insurance cost. Open enrollment for the MarketPlace begins on November 15 and runs through February 15,2015. Medicare open enrollment is October 15 – December 7,2014. Call (318) 317-3375 to enroll in the Enroll LouisianaMarket Place.

There are also several mandates that employers need to beaware of as they plan for 2015. The employer mandate, betterknown as the “Pay-or-Play” provision requires applicable largeemployers to offer healthcare coverage to full time employeesor pay penalties. Employers with 50-99 full time employeesmust comply by 2016. More than ever, employers need tomake sure they keep copies of waivers and good records in theevent they experience a Department of Labor audit.

For more information regarding what employers need to know,call BCS at 318-742-9515 or stop by their office at 550 Board-walk Blvd.

Employee Healthcare

Health insurance needsBossier City’s Benefit Consulting Services helps guide employers through evolving world of insurance


You’ve been invited to a company holiday dinner that includes a new client. The invita-tion is addressed to “Ms. Your Name and Guest” and has a notation to RSVP to theCEO’s assistant. Congratulations. What an honor for you! Here is information to helpyou accept the invitation professionally and confidently. The initials “R.S.V.P.” stand fora French phrase “repondez, s’il vous plait” which means “Respond, if you please.” Ap-pearing on invitations of all types, it is a reminder for people to do what they should

already know to do – respond to the invitation.

Below are a few things to consider when RSVPing to a business dinner invitation:

n An invitation from your employer to a dinner, party, reception, etc. is an honor and should betreated as such.

n Reply within one week to confirm your attendance. Anything longer indicates a possiblelack of interest.

n Be aware that in formal dinners, couples rarely sit together. Seating arrangements are well-planned for maximum business results and relationship building.

n Confirm availability with your guest. Appearing solo when two are expected upsets seatingarrangements. If you are unable to bring a guest, let the planner quickly know.

n Never show up without having submitted your RSVP.

n If you reply that you will be there, never pull a no-show.

n Never bring additional people. Only those to whom the invitation is addressed are invited.

n Never assume “and guest” means you can bring a childor teenager.

n You and your guest should brush-up on your table man-ners. This will help you both feel more confident.

n Not sure about what to wear? Ask the planner for tipsand suggestions. A business suit accessorized for eveningis a good rule of thumb.

n Event planning, whether a formal dinner or a casualparty is a difficult and involved job. Your prompt RSVP en-ables timely finalization of menus, seating, and budgeting.

Business Etiquette

Teri HaynesOwner of Business Interactions, LLCEmployee trainer and business eti-quette coachwww.BusinessInteractions.Net

Respond, ifyou please

How to properly accept a business dinner invitation


How to properly accept a business dinner invitation

Re-ignite the fireDear Dave,

How do you reignite a sales team member’s fire once they have reached a financial goal theyset for themselves?

David

Dear David,

I love team members who have the energy and drive to go out and make the sales. But when itcomes to this type of work, you’ve always got to be on the lookout for someone who is theresimply to collect big checks.

I call a person who is on some type of commission, and brings in more than they cost you perunit, a tiger. These are the types you want in commission-based roles, because they enjoy thechase and the thrill of the hunt. But it’s a little difficult to change things with people who arealready in place and have been with you a long time. You can talk to them about the situationand their goals, or you can change the environment around them or their compensation struc-ture and give them every opportunity to catch fire again.

But I think the best thing is to spend lots of time and effort in the beginning making sure youpick the right people for the right jobs. At my company we stress the importance of having acrusade mentality. You have to be on fire for what you’re doing. You have to love your job, lovethe reason you’re here and love doing work that matters. We’re a Super Bowl team, David.We’re not setting a goal of getting to the playoffs. We’re playing for the ring every time.

You have to understand that what I’m talking about isn’t something you can suddenly startcramming down people’s throats. It’s a gradual, gentle process. But the first and most impor-tant thing is to surround yourself with winners and give them what they need in terms of moti-vation to win on a consistent basis. It’s not acceptable for someone to reach a particular goaland then slack off or start doing things in a half-butt kind of way. I’m not okay with that at all!

—Dave

Expensive lesson learnedDear Dave,

I work for a civil engineering firm that makes about $1 million annually. Two years ago one ofour new clients didn’t pay a $40,000 invoice, even though a promissory note was signed. Ourcompany sued him and won, but his assets can’t settle the bill. Do you think we should con-tinue to pursue this?

Sarah

Dear Sarah,

You can hit a rock with a hammer, and it will never bleed.In other words, there’s no money to get because hedoesn’t have it. Unless you think you’re dealing with asnake, and he’s going to great lengths to try and hidesomething, I’m just going to use this lesson learned andchange my sales procedures and requirements to reflectthe experience.

You might want to spend a little effort looking into things abit deeper. You could even spend something on a privatedetective to try and search out bank accounts and otherassets. Try to find out where the snake laid its eggs. Whoknows? You might be able to squeeze a few thousand outof the situation.

Still, I wouldn’t spend a lot more time, effort or moneychasing this guy. You let him get too far into you for a newclient. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably just go makemore money, see how I could learn from the lesson andmake the changes necessary so I never had to go backthere again!

—Dave

Dave Says — On Business

Dave RamseyDave Ramsey is America’s trustedvoice on business and money. He hasauthored five New York Times best-selling books, including EntreLeader-ship. The Dave Ramsey Show is heardby more than 8 million listeners eachweek on more than 500 radio stations.Follow Dave on the web at www.entre-leadership.com.


The video production industry is an excit-ing one to be in as we head into 2015.New technological developments makethe industry more accessible financially,and push creative types to expand theirskill sets. Oh, yeah… and everyone is

watching!

Expect moving time-lapse video to becomemore common, especially since the technologyin smart phone cameras is becoming more ad-vanced with every new phone release. Also be-cause of the highly advanced technology in cellphone cameras, clients could be able to providevideo production houses with their own highdefinition video to incorporate into projects.

Drones have finally been cleared by the FAA forcommercial filming use. That opens the door fordramatic overhead footage and panoramic shotsthat otherwise would have been too expensive

for small productions. (Just don't forget to get apermit or any other kind of permission from thelocation owner!)

According to recent numbers from Altitude Digi-tal, a video advertising industry leader, online

engagement means involving your audiencewith a call to action to participate in a conversa-tion, and the way to do that going forward is byincorporating video into all aspects of onlinepresence. Altitude Digital claims four years fromnow there will be 3.6 billion Internet users in theworld. That's going to be about 48% of the pop-ulation. (About 2.3 billion or a third of the worldis estimated to be connected today.) The com-pany projects 90% of online traffic will comefrom videos, and that online video productionwill make up one third of all online advertisingspending within five years.

The pixel ranges are expanding and so are ex-pectations for video quality. Expect that to leadto a multitude of great new content from all yourfavorite online entities in the coming years.

Jill MacchiavernaJill is Publicity Chair, Business Devel-opment Connection for the GreaterShreveport Chamber of Commerce.

Exciting times aheadDigital production industry is more accessible and creative than ever

Business Development

90% of online traffic willcome from videos, & onlinevideo production will make

up 1/3 of online advertising spending.


NWLA Tourism

Shreveport-Bossier tour guide service Yesterday’s Ladywill host Candlelight Christmas Tours, a guided holi-day tour of two historic homes, 6-8:30 p.m., Dec. 4 & 5and Dec. 11 & 12. The tour will include stops at theLogan Mansion, built in 1897, as well as the DavisHomeplace, built in 1916. Both residences will be

elaborately decorated for the holidays. Tickets cost $26 perperson and include shuttle transportation, light refreshmentsand a guided tour of both homes.

“The homes on the tour are very different, and have differenthistories,” said Jan Pettiet, tour guide and owner of Yesterday’sLady. “Guests on this tour are definitely not going to see thesame thing twice.”

The Logan Mansion, the first stop on the Candlelight ChristmasTours, is located at 725 Austin Place in Shreveport. The 17-room, Victorian style mansion will be decked out with lightedChristmas trees, decorated mantles and stair cases and much

more. Light refreshments will be served and tour participantswill explore the home with its current owner, Vicki LeBrun. TheLogan Mansion was originally built by Lafayette Robert Logan,a successful beer and ice distributor. Architect Nathaniel SykesAllen, the region’s premier architect in the late nineteenth cen-tury, also designed the historic Antioch Baptist Church indowntown Shreveport.

The Davis Homeplace, the second stop on the tour, was built in1916 by Mrs. Ella Hunt Montgomery at 804 Wilkinson Street inShreveport. At the Davis Homeplace, tour participants willmeet current homeowner Marsha Millican, who dresses in Vic-torian era clothing and leads visitors on a tour of the housethat is “like stepping back in time.” All signs of modern life areremoved in preparation for this tour and festive holiday deco-rations are exhibited throughout the home.

“Marsha loves for you to walk into her house and go into a pastera,” Pettiet said. “You don’t see TVs, phones, or anything thatlooks like it’s from the modern day. She wants you to walkback in time.”

Candlelight Christmas Tours hosted by Yesterday’s Lady were

offered for the first time in 2012, and the tours sold out. Pet-tiet took a hiatus in 2013, but brought the tours back for the2014 holiday season. Pettiet says that the majority of peopleon her tours are visiting from out of town.

“They’re from all over. We have church groups and lots oftravel groups coming in from eastern Texas,” Pettiet said.“Folks love the opportunity to go inside of these stunning, his-toric homes.”

Tours will depart from the southwest corner of the DouglasParking lot located at the intersection of Market Street andTravis Street in downtown Shreveport. Free parking will be pro-vided for tour participants. Shuttle bus loading for each tourwill begin at 5:30 p.m. and tours will depart promptly at 6 p.m.

Tickets to the Candlelight Christmas Tours are $26 each andmust be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets, visitwww.eventbrite.com and search for “Yesterday’s Lady.” Formore information, contact Jan Pettiet at (318) 949-9831.

Home (tours) for the holidays

STORY BYChris Jay

Holiday home tours highlight afestive month for activities


Chris JayPublic Relations and Social MediaManager, Shreveport Bossier Conven-tion and Tourist Bureau. He is amonthly contributor to Biz. Magazine.

He may be reached via email [email protected].

Lunch Break

Esquire called 2013 “The Year of theKegged Cocktail,” citing the sudden preva-lence of draft cocktails in bars fromBoston to Dallas, but, as far as I can tell,there’s only one draft cocktail in Shreve-port-Bossier: The Twisted Mule at Twisted

Root Burger Company in Shreveport. On a recentdinner date, my wife and I sort of fell in love withthis concoction. Made with ginger beer, vodka,tea syrup and lemons, the Twisted Mule is deli-cious, consistent and affordable (a 16 oz. TwistedMule will set you back $5). I wanted to learnmore about the Twisted Mule, so I visited TwistedRoot and spoke with Grant Nuckolls, proprietorof Twisted Root’s Shreveport location.

“It’s an Arnold Palmer meets a Moscow mule,”Nuckolls said. “Jason Kosmas, who is a reallywell-known bartender in Dallas-Ft. Worth, createdthe recipe.”

While draft cocktails have their detractors (whoargue that a cocktail prepared in bulk and keggedlessens the amount of personal care and atten-tion that goes into your drink), there’s an upsideas well: consistency.

“It’s a consistent pour. If you come in on Tuesdayand have a Twisted Mule, it’s going to taste ex-actly the same as it’ll taste on Friday,” Nuckollssaid. “Also, having it on tap, we’re able to keep itat 40 degrees.” The tap handle that pours TwistedMule in Shreveport was created by local artist Jim

Hayes.

While Twisted Root Burger Company is a chain(the Shreveport location is the only location ofthe restaurant outside of Texas), it doesn’t feellike one. And a huge part of the reason it doesn’tfeel like a chain is the bar. Nuckolls opened thespace in 2013 with 16 taps dedicated to craftbeer. Shortly thereafter, Red River Brewing Com-pany and Great Raft Brewing opened in Shreve-port, and Nuckolls makes it sound as though thatchanged everything.

“We opened with 16 beer taps, and we have 28now,” he said. “Out of all of our selection, one-third of our sales are beers made in Shreveport.I’m proud of that.”

‘Twisted Mule’

The first local draft cocktail at Twisted Root Burger CompanyChris Jay reviews local food and previews events everyweek at www.20x49.com.

Photo by Chris JayThe Twisted Mule at Twisted Root Burger Co. is Shreveport’s first draft cocktail. The tap handle, seen here, was created by Shreveport artist Jim Hayes.


Cover Story

around the nation to our area. These teach-ers will receive dynamic professional devel-opment and be empowered to implementNICERC curriculum in the schools.

“From a national perspective, we haveplanted the flag.... We are leaders in cybereducation right here in Bossier City,” said Mr.Cazes. The NICERC cyber curriculum hasbeen developed in partnership with a varietyof partners. Louisiana Tech University hasbeen a key strategic partner and contributor.Bossier Parish Schools have also been instru-mental as they provide a ”test bed” for cur-riculum development and feedback.

Additional universities and teachers are con-tributing as the national expansion contin-ues.

“Cyber touches everything we do, every as-pect of our daily lives,” Mr. Cazes said. “It’simportant that we create cyber citizens --someone who will help, not hinder, our na-tional cyber security efforts. This is not onlycritical for developing our nation’s futurecyber workforce but also ensuring our na-tion’s future economic dominance and na-tional security.”

CIC: Contributions toNICERC curriculum

will grow with its expansion

Continued From Page 15


Spotlight

For local photographer Mollie Corbett, it’s

been a long journey from shooting $20 im-

ages at the Duck Pond. “But I’m grateful to

those early customers for their support and

belief in my business,” she says reflecting

on the start of her own business — Mollie

Corbett Photography.

The 40-year-old Air Force wife and mother of a

second-grader, has graduated from these humble

beginnings to open her own space on Commerce

Street in downtown Shreveport this summer. Mo-

CoPho, for shorthand, is based around not only

supporting Mollie’s family, but bringing fulfillment

to her life and serving the commercial photo-

graphic needs of the community.

“I am the world’s biggest fan of the underdog, and I

am a sucker for a compelling story. This is because

I AM the underdog with a compelling story,” ex-

plained Mollie. “Like everyone else, I want to be

known and understood. I want this also for every

subject I feature with my lens.”

Corbett made her professional debut as the official

photographer for the 2011 KTBS Tie the Knot Wed-

ding Giveaway. In 2012, she was chosen by the

Shreveport Regional Arts Council as the official

Christmas in the Sky Auction Book photographer,

capturing over 100 local business sponsors of

SRAC’s extraordinary, bi-annual fundraising gala. In

2013, she was awarded a contract with the Down-

town Development Authority to shoot stock image

photography of Downtown Shreveport for use in

marketing and promotions.

She learned during this rapid rise that knowledge

takes a back seat to how you can make people

feel. “Yes, the talent and quality product have to be

there, but often I know I am getting competitive

work because of my reputation for putting people

at ease with being who they are.”

That ability to put people at ease is especially

valuable in her fine art photography shows. Her

latest exhibit, “Outlier,” will seek to raise aware-

ness of childhood sexual assault and see a portion

of the proceeds benefit the Gingerbread House

Children’s Advocacy Center. Mollie’s fine art work

is utilized to act as a voice for the voiceless by rais-

ing awareness and exposing the darkness that

keeps so many feeling unloved, undervalued, and

unworthy.

“My fine art work is about shouting these stories in

confrontational, arresting ways. I won’t be ignored

because too much is riding on it for those in whose

behalf I am shouting.”

In addition to her photography business and fine

art work, Mollie is an active community contributor.

She currently serves as President-Elect of Red

River Rotary, a club she helped to re-establish after

a period of dormancy, and as Volunteer Chairman

of the 2014 Mudbug Madness Festival, where she

was tasked with engaging over 420 volunteers.

She also provides voice lessons through MCP Vocal

Coaching, a small business she started after her

two Major League Baseball World Series perform-

ances in 2010 and 2011, through which she is able

to share a life-long love for singing and vocal per-

formance with her talented and inspiring students.

Her community involvement underscores her be-

lief that rapport means everything.

“I pride myself in developing a quick and lasting

rapport with every subject that assures them I have

their best interests at the center of my focus on

their shoot,” she said.

However, Mollie is quick to add that you can still

be picky on who you build that rapport with.

“There are some clients I’m just not interested in

serving. I want to work and associate my business

with kind, just, equitable people.”

When it comes to other entrepreneurs, business

leaders and fellow underdogs, Mollie’s advice is to

hire a business coach who won’t hesitate to give

you a swift kick when it is warranted.

“We all have people who fill our ears with flowers.

You need someone who is paid to tell you the hard

thing exactly when you need to hear it.”

Lens servicePhotographer strives to make positive impact on community


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BIZ. Magazine - December, 2014

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Transcript of BIZ. Magazine - December, 2014