What city in Louisiana has the highest demand for independent business? (New Orleans: employment, neighborhoods)

[Louisiana'sLegend2]

Its me the legend, LouisianaLegend!!!! yay? I have a dilemma, I have ran outta of ideas for business again and I am needing to know, what major cities in Louisiana(MONROE , Shreveport, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Lafayette, N.O and BR) are the most welcoming when it comes to independent business. Now it is known, that it aint easy do that in Louisiana, I mean my own great city of MONROE , is struggling to get V-Vehicle started.

So say if you had an idea of some sort, and you wanted to get it going and grow, WHICH CITY IN LOUISIANA WOULD YOU MOST LIKELY SUCCEED IN & WHY?

tHANKS,

[mhounit]

Every city is different , and I'm not sure there really is an answer based on what little you have said . " An idea " isn't much to go on .

[Louisiana'sLegend2]

Originally Posted by mhounit

Every city is different , and I'm not sure there really is an answer based on what little you have said . " An idea " isn't much to go on .

Oh dont think so less dear mhounit, easy to say every city is different but its obvious that every city has a different approach in business and commerce.

I know in my incredible city of MONROE , I dont have to leave out of my neighborhood to shop. I can go around the corner and shop for everything, just like all the other neighborhoods without going to the main strips. Same can be said about Shreveport.

but....

Theres quite the difference in N.O. though. Now same can be said im assuming about N.O. with the neighborhood commerce, but its fact that N.O. ranks amongst the highest in independent business. Adding to that, from my understanding, they have a higher employment rate as well as all around growth.

But are the business laws and taxes there more strict than others as it is in Monroe? Are they still against chains and franchises?(Wal-Mart) What city can people thrive in if the want to start new.....ummmm lets say.....fake tree strore?


So just off what you see in your individual town, are the more chains restuarants and franchises than there are originals and independent business? Can I come to your city and start "The Monroe, LA Market" and the city not gimme a hard time on laws, taxes, tradition, and be prejudice as far as the name?

Example: Monroe, LA are against Casinoes and has a failed multi million dollar Motor Speedway just sitting there.

[mhounit]

Well , Baton Rouge and the surrounding area has it's share of chain stores and restaurants , and independantly owned businesses as well . There's no bias either way . If you have a product or service that people want , and you are competetive , you will do well . The Baton Rouge economy is actually better than the average despite what some here might say . Look it up .

[JimLFT]

Originally Posted by LOUISIANA'SLEGEND

....are the most welcoming when it comes to independent business. Now it is known, that it aint easy do that in Louisiana, I mean my own great city of MONROE , is struggling to get V-Vehicle started.

So say if you had an idea of some sort, and you wanted to get it going and grow, WHICH CITY IN LOUISIANA WOULD YOU MOST LIKELY SUCCEED IN & WHY?

tHANKS,

Baton Rouge and Lafayette both made at least one top-ten ranking last year for best places to start a business for mid-sized markets:

Best Places to Launch a Small Business 2009 - Top Midsize Places - FORTUNE Small Business

And that's just one ranking. There are quite a few that consistently show Baton Rouge and Lafayette as two of the nation's leaders in this regard. Just depends if you want big, or small. You can take your pick between two of the nation's best within fifty miles of each other.

Here's the data for all Louisiana metros showing MSA population and number of small businesses:


New Orleans, LA

• 1,134,029
• 27,802

Baton Rouge, LA

• 774,327
• 16,860 (#9 ranking)

Shreveport, LA

• 389,533
• 8,620

Lafayette, LA

• 259,073
• 8,113 (#2 ranking)

Houma, LA

• 201,148
• 4,591

Lake Charles, LA

• 192,856
• 4,302

Monroe, LA

• 172,743
• 4,439

Alexandria, LA

• 153,105
• 3,338

Again, this is just one ranking amongst many, but this is where common sense needs to be applied before taking any of these rankings (usually provided by magazines) as gospel.

Wasn't Delta Air Lines born in Monroe? CenturyTel? Heck, the most popular talk show in Louisiana is right out of Monroe!

Monroe has seen its fair share of visionaries, but the cycle must continue with new blood and new visions. I truly think that is the key to any city. Just need a handful of smart folks who love their town to the point of making some serious positive noise on the business front. Baton Rouge and Lafayette both have many such visionaries, but it really requires only one or two to make a difference.

So Legend? Which will you be? The next Monroe visionary? Or one who will wait for the next one? I realize you're only just looking to start your own small (for now) business, but with the passion you've preached for your town (Amen!), all I can say is, you may very well be the spark Monroe has long needed. Monroe needs people like you to stay put and thrive off your energy.

Either way, that economic spark won't happen without someone standing up with a forward vision...

[SacalaitWhisperer]

I have ran outta of ideas

I have an idea. Proofread anything you send out to clientele or prospects.

:^p

[Louisiana'sLegend2]

Originally Posted by SacalaitWhisperer

I have an idea. Proofread anything you send out to clientele or prospects.

:^p

Naw, ion thanks so, imma just do what I gotta do and hope I bes the best at it!!!

Ugh, dam smartass english scholars