Baton Rouge small businesses turn to AI for economic growth
This year's event was described as tech-heavy.
Business strategist and CEO of 'Chief of Minds,' an organizational development firm, Lakeisha Robichaux shared valuable tips for success with a room full of entrepreneurs at the Renaissance Hotel.
She and others said AI is now at the forefront of how small businesses are run.Howard White owns a retail business called Top Choice, selling clothing to Southern University's fans and Greek community.
'I've reconnected with people I hadn't seen in years here. The other thing is focusing on business processes. I teach AI, and I help business owners implement AI. I started looking at, 'How do I overlay that into mine and their businesses utilizing AI,'' White mentioned.
White also helps others get their start-up companies off the ground as a coach and trainer.
He agrees with Robichaux and said creating a dialogue with AI is now invaluable for helping business processes run smoother and more quickly.'The speaker in there, she's more so in the HR space, how it can do a lot for you as a small business owner, instead of hiring outside firms and or staying up late at night getting it done,' White said.This year's conference also offered networking opportunities for small businesses, bringing them face to face with corporate, government and institutional buyers seeking qualified vendors.
Major businesses also showed up, hoping to partner with local small business owners.
Baton Rouge small businesses turn to AI for economic growth
Rural hospitals still open, but proposed health bill could reshape care in Louisiana
Arrest made in macabre 'human flesh' teddy bear prank in Southern California
KFC launches nationwide 'comeback' with free chicken offer
Two arrested after Fourth of July deadly shooting in Geismar
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US Senator Sanders favors Trump plan to take stake in Intel
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Liberal U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders on Wednesday threw his support behind Republican President Donald Trump's plan to convert up to $10.9 billion in U.S. grants for Intel into a government stake in the company. "If microchip companies make a profit from the generous grants they receive from the federal government, the taxpayers of America have a right to a reasonable return on that investment," Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, said in a statement to Reuters. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
French firm teams up with JetZero on hydrogen-powered flight
By Tim Hepher PARIS (Reuters) -A French technology startup unveiled plans on Wednesday to work with clean-aircraft venture JetZero to explore a potential hydrogen-powered variant of its futuristic all-wing design. The move by SHZ Advanced Technologies is likely to rekindle a debate over the potential for zero-emission flight, six months after Europe's Airbus put the brakes on plans to develop the world's first hydrogen-powered airliner. California-based JetZero aims to challenge the traditional duopoly of Airbus and Boeing by developing a so-called blended wing-body aircraft, which it claims will be able to cut fuel consumption - and therefore carbon emissions - in half. JetZero and SHZ now plan to work together under a NASA research programme to design systems capable of storing and distributing liquid hydrogen fuel, which could eliminate carbon emissions altogether and evolve into a variant of JetZero's Z4. Hydrogen is prized for its carbon-free emissions and high energy related to mass, which makes it lighter than normal fuel. However, it also takes up much more volume and must be cooled to -253 degrees Celsius, making storage a significant challenge. JetZero's blended wing-body design features a V-shaped fuselage that acts as a wing and reduces friction in the air, rather than the familiar wings and cylindrical fuselage. "Due to the wider fuselage, the airframe is far more compatible with (liquid hydrogen) fuel tanks without sacrificing passenger seating, as a 'tube and wing' airplane would," SHZ Advanced Technologies said on Wednesday. Airbus said in February it was slowing down efforts to produce a hydrogen-powered regional plane and dropped a target date of 2035, blaming a lack of supporting infrastructure. Boeing, by contrast, has been cool on the commercial viability of hydrogen flight altogether. The concept of a blended wing-body design has been around since the 1940s and led to the U.S. B-2 bomber, as well as the X-48 research project between Boeing and NASA some 18 years ago. JetZero is revisiting such designs as the aviation industry struggles to meet a target of net-zero emissions by 2050. Airbus has argued that combining such radical changes to the shape of a plane with an entirely new propulsion system would be too ambitious, and is focusing instead on hydrogen-based fuel cells inside a normal tubular aircraft configuration. But SHZ Advanced Technologies' co-founder Eric Schulz - a former senior executive at Rolls-Royce and Airbus - said JetZero would approach the task in two phases with the initial focus on a conventionally powered all-wing plane. Any hydrogen-based variant would come in a second step, he told Reuters. The French firm says it has developed hydrogen tanks that save space by avoiding the usual cylindrical shape needed for pressurised vessels and can fit more easily into the flowing contours of the Z4's fuselage. JetZero, whose backers include United Airlines, said in June it was on track to fly a full-scale prototype of the revolutionary 250-passenger airplane in 2027. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Heffernan Network Insurance Brokers Debuts New Website
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Aug. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Heffernan Network Insurance Brokers, a subsidiary of Heffernan Insurance Brokers, providing market access and support services to local insurance agencies, is proud to unveil its newly redesigned website. Boasting a contemporary look, upgraded functionality, and an immersive user experience, the revamped site ensures seamless navigation and effortless access to essential information. Heffernan Network Insurance Brokers is committed to investing in, collaborating with, and building companies that strengthen the independent insurance agency space through strategic acquisition and perpetuation. The firm recognizes the enduring value of the independent agency model and aims to play a significant role in its continued success. The newly launched website serves as a central resource, making it easier for agencies to explore partnership opportunities, access support, and connect with the Heffernan Network team. The website features a clean, user-friendly design, enhanced navigation, and improved search functionality. Visitors can easily discover valuable resources, including informative blog posts and up-to-date industry news, making for a more streamlined and efficient browsing experience. "We are thrilled to unveil our new website, showcasing Heffernan Network's dedication to innovation and superior service," stated John Prichard Jr., President and CEO of Heffernan Network Insurance Brokers. "The modern design and user-friendly features support our objective of delivering an exceptional online experience for our clients and partners. This goes beyond a mere website redesign; it represents a significant advancement in how we engage with and support our clients in the digital era." To see the site's refreshed and streamlined look and connect with a member of the Heffernan team, visit the new website at About Heffernan Network Insurance BrokersHeffernan Network Insurance Brokers, founded in 2017, partners with independent agencies to support growth, perpetuation, and long-term success. As a Heffernan Group company, the Network offers access to markets, capital, and strategic resources while allowing agencies to retain their independence. Learn more at License #0L59890 View original content: SOURCE Heffernan Network Insurance Brokers Sign in to access your portfolio
