By Nancy Correro
The Times of SWLA
We all know a person who is an exceptional cook. We have probably told that person that they could go into business for themselves. Becky Fuselier is one those exceptional cooks, but she did go into business for herself.
“When my two boys were in high school they were very active in sports and they would always have their friends over and boys being boys, they eat. So we always had to cook large amounts Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. My husband has a large family so getting together we would have to prepare a dish for 30 people. So I always cooked in large amounts,” Fuselier said.She has been in business for about 5 years, but she’s been in her new building for about a month now. It’s formerly the Carlyss Lion’s Club, and Fuselier bought it and made some renovations. People can rent the room for weddings and receptions, banquets, meetings, reunions, holiday events, and parties.
“I always catered out of the house. I’ve always had to cater off-site because I didn’t have a location. Now that I have this room I can seat well over 200. If it is a reception that needs a dance floor we can still accommodate that and still seat 100 people. It’s very versatile and very accommodating for any type of event. So I can now cater on-site or off-site,” Fuselier said.
Right now, Fuselier offers plate lunches on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
“I needed to do something until I get the rentals going. I don’t want to be a restaurant, but it’s just a little lagniappe kind of event those two days.
Fuselier’s menu consists of everything she has cooked in the past, but she is happy to take special requests.
“I am not limited to that. If someone has a special request then we can talk about a recipe and find out what they want and I can build it for them.”
Becky Fuselier describes her food as “Cajun home cooking.”
She also contributes helping St. Theresa’s Catholic Church as part of what helped build her business.
“I do a lot for St. Theresa’s Catholic Church here in Carlyss—helping out with the sacrament receptions—there were hundreds of people there and that helped build [the business] as well.”
Becky’s Catering is located at 5121 Lions Rd, Carlyss, LA. You can contact her at (337) 583-4063.
Healthy Image/Thrive
By Chaney Ferguson
Editor, The Times of SWLA
Healthy Image started out with three women who knew about marketing. Kristy Armand, Christine Fisher and Barbara VanGossen have been working together for over 20 years. Their friendship began while Armand and Fisher worked together at Memorial Hospital. VanGossen, a graphic designer, has always been involved on the graphics end.
“We work well together,” said Armand. “That doesn’t mean we see things from the same point of view every time, but we respect each other enough to adjust our view and see it from another angle. Often, the end result is a combination of ideas; better than if we’d have just done it individually, and our clients get the benefit of that collaboration.”Their approach is to provide a comprehensive marketing and communications package for their clients. “Our scope includes advertising but also includes other forms of communication. We’ll help a client put together an event or seminar, make sure they have a quality trade show display and giveaways, write a speech, plan a news conference, or even work with them on their interior décor,” said Fisher.
They toyed with the idea of forming an agency, and when it became known that a local health care group was interested, they decided to make a presentation and got the account. One account quickly became several accounts and the growth has continued.
“Along the way, we’ve had many moments where we needed to chart our own way of doing things. We don’t follow a pre-determined script or formula. It all depends on what the client needs at that time and what kind of possibilities we can take advantage of or create for them,” said Fisher.
Armand and Fisher decided to concentrate on the work and not get side-tracked with the trappings of owning a business. “We didn’t need an office at first, so we didn’t weigh ourselves down with that expense; we just needed us, our ideas and our computers. We did that for a little while and we had 5 or 6 clients. It just kept growing because I think we really just hit a niche,” said Armand.
“We look at marketing as a whole – not just advertising, but anything that has to do with a company’s image. We truly try to function as their marketing department, being just as committed to their goals as they are. I think that means a lot to our clients – we are just as invested in their success as we are in our own.”
Eventually, the growing business required office space. “That was a great way to do it because I think so many small businesses run into problems because they have all this overhead and you can’t get out from all the stress of how to pay for everything and still do good work. We never had that. We were very confident in what we had to do as far as delivering what our clients needed. We took the necessary steps and grew slowly,” said Armand.
In 2007, VanGossen joined Healthy Image. “We’ve always felt Barbara was part of our success,” said Armand. “When the timing was right, she joined the agency as a third partner and we felt we finally had all the pieces of our puzzle in one place.” From her perspective, VanGossen said she watched as Healthy Image continued to grow. “It was exciting for me because I had an inside view during those first years. You never know how life is going to turn out, and when the opportunity was there, I felt right about joining,” VanGossen said.
Healthy Image isn’t the only venture these ladies have undertaken together. In 2003, they formed a separate company and began publishing Thrive magazine. It started out as a quarterly publication, grew to bi-monthly and is now a monthly magazine. Today, Armand and Fisher are among the team that provides the content, and VanGossen leads the creative team for layout and design.
“Thrive is a lifestyle magazine, with articles on a wide variety of topics, like finances, health, wellness, travel, parenting, home and gardening. It’s ‘how to live a better, balanced life’ approach,” Fisher said. “Just as we did with Healthy Image, we managed the growth and, over time, it has become what we envisioned from the beginning – a quality, full-color, magazine-style publication.”
Earlier this year, Healthy Image and Thrive magazine moved into new offices on University Drive. Coming from the beige cubicles of their first office, they took advantage of being able to design the space and decorate. The place is full of color and personality. Each person chose a quote for their office space; most are about creativity, design, going the extra mile and other motivating phrases. At the end of a long hallway an old door is propped up against the wall with this quote above: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” VanGossen says this sums up their approach pretty well.
After talking with the women of Healthy Image and Thrive, it’s clear they have a positive outlook. “We feel fortunate to be able to do what we enjoy for a living,” said Fisher. “There are many days where we wonder how this all happened. On the rare occasion when we look back and see how far we’ve come, we are incredibly thankful. We probably wouldn’t have planned it this way, but we’re excited to be here.”
Today, their client base has grown to more than 70; most are local, others are regional and a couple are national. “I’ll never forget what it was like to see a health report we put together air on CNN, FOX News and other national and international networks,” said Fisher. “With so many of our projects, the background on that project is unbelievable. There are dozens of cases like that, and that’s what is so exciting about what we do.” They find they do their best work with service-type industries, like health care, finance, legal, industrial, realty or any other business that has a message to communicate.
The ladies are quick to point out that while owning and growing a business or two is a lot harder than any of them ever imagined, they have been fortunate to have strong support from family, friends, and business contacts. “We had a lot of people cheering us on, supporting us along the way,” said Armand. “Many of them probably don’t even realize it, but their encouraging email or word of advice helped us more than they will ever know.”
Armand says they are fortunate to have assembled a talented team of writers and designers for Healthy Image, as well as energetic sales people for Thrive. ?We expect a lot from our employees because we’ve set a high standard for ourselves and don’t ever want to disappoint a client.
Everyone here seems to have the same can-do attitude. The way may not be clear all the time, but we find a way to accomplish whatever is asked of us, and have fun doing it.”
By focusing on the details of their clients’ success, these women have achieved a level of success on their own that surprises even them. But it shouldn’t, because after all, everyone needs a healthy image.
Stacey Vezinot Owner of Stacey’s Armoire
By Nancy Correro
The Times of SWLA
There is a hip and chic shop off of W. College Street. Stacey Vezinot’s shop is inviting to browse in. It’s also a great place to pick-up those one-of-a-kind clothing items and accessories.
Vezinot o
pened Stacey’s Armoire October of 2006. Before that, Vezinot went to McNeese State University and got a degree in fashion merchandising.“I started working retail about my third year in college and got my foot in the door and got a taste of it. It’s my passion. I just love retail. Owning my own business was the ultimate goal for me,” Vezinot said.
While still in college, she wanted to get some training. Vezinot worked for a locally owned company in town and worked her way up to store manager.
“When the mall was expanding and retail was kind of kicking off a little bit more in the mid to late 90’s, that’s when I really started getting my resume out to get with somebody bigger and I got on as a manager with Old Navy. I got a whole different perspective from that end of retail, with the “big box” and working for Gap, Inc.,” Vezinot said.
Right before Hurricane Rita, Vezinot decided she was going to step out on her own.
“I resigned the summer before Rita hit. So I’m almost at my three year mark. I tell everybody this is my third child. I have two daughters and this is my third child. That’s how I look at it,” Vezinot said.
Stacey Vezinot is passionate about her business. She is all about making the customer comfortable and helping in any way she can.
“It’s always been important to me that when someone comes in to the store no matter who they are or how they’re dressed, that is not important to me, that they feel comfortable in here.”
Vezinot is the staff at Stacey’s Armoire. She occasionally gets a little help from family and friends, but it will be Vezinot that will greet you when you enter her store.
“I really enjoy what I do and I’m here probably 95 percent of the time. I wouldn’t have done this if I wasn’t planning on being here myself. I have help on occasion but it’s important that I’m here.”
Stacey’s Armoire is a ladies apparel store. She has accessories, handbags and clothes.
“My main market is the younger missy look. My age market is roughly 30 to 70. It’s a working class age group.”
To get started in her business, Stacey turned to the Louisiana Small Business
Development Center at McNeese for assistance and they helped her with her business plan and marketing.
“They really played a big role in helping me get on track with my business plan and helped me look at the demographics and the areas to lease. It’s one of the best kept secrets in town. It’s a free resource.”
Vezinot has lived here her whole life. Her husband Matthew and children Meagan and Molly, and her Aunt Donna Mier, who owns Donna’s Lingerie and Swimwear, are a part of her support group.
“My husband, kids, family and friends are my rock and keep me going.”
Stacey’s Armoire is located at 201 W College St., Lake Charles. You can contact her at (337) 562-8191.
Denise Rau, Certified Financial Planner, President, Rau Financial Group
By Kristy Armand
Publisher, Thrive Magazine
When Denise Rau entered the financial field over 25 years ago, women were few and far between in the industry. She says at the time – the early 80s – women were just beginning to enter areas of business that were once considered “male-only” domains.
“We were told to act like men and dress like men if we wanted to be accepted. We wore pinstriped suits with big shoulder pads and bows tied at the neck,” said Rau. “It really was just a different era, and we spent a great deal of time worrying about being taken seriously in what was then a male-dominated field.”Looking back, Rau says all the worries about being accepted were unnecessary. “My experience has been that women have every opportunity to succeed in the workplace. I have found throughout my career that the men I have worked for and with were very accepting of career women who were willing to put in the blood, sweat, and tears necessary to compete.
The whole women's rights movement had a purpose, and I believe that purpose has been fulfilled in most industries. If a competent woman wants to succeed, she has every opportunity to work hard and achieve success. But I don’t think any woman should expect a free ride based on her gender. You have to earn it and if you aren’t willing to work for it, there’s another woman – or man – behind you who is.”
Rau is originally from Lake Charles and received her undergraduate degree from Tulane University and an MBA from the University of Texas. She is a Certified Financial Planner and holds a variety of other certifications and licenses for insurance and securities.
After 20 years working her way up to the top levels of management at several area financial institutions, Rau decided to form her own company in 2005. “I wanted to create a company that allowed me to approach financial planning from a more personal perspective.
I see my role as helping people achieve financial serenity, so they don’t have to spend so much of their time worrying about their future. I want to help them not only save money through sound investments, but also to ensure their ability to meet their life goals without anxiety.”
“The first thing I do when I talk to clients is ask them to tell me what things are most important to them in their lives,” says Rau. “Then together we look at where they are spending their money. Very often, they will find that they are not actually spending the most money on the things they’ve said are most important to them.
They are not putting their money where their heart is, and that is why they are not happy with their financial situation. I work with them to get these elements aligned. Once that happens, they are on track for achieving not just their financial goals, but their life goals as well, and they feel much more confident about their financial security.”
Rau Financial Group has grown significantly in its short history. Rau’s staff now includes three additional financial advisors, Eva Abate, Mark Eckard and Denise Wilkinson.
Rau credits her success to hard work, certainly, but also to remaining focused on what is most important to her and her family. “I feel so blessed to have found a career that allows me to balance the demands of children with those of clients. After years of miserably failing all attempts to be the Super-Mom, I realized years ago that I had to define my own version of the word ‘successful,’ and that is one that allows me to determine the best way to adjust my home/work priorities. By doing so, I’ve been able to find my own balance, and carve out my own path to success.”
Wendy White McCown Signatures Salon
By Erin Cormier
Thrive Magazine
When Signatures opened as a 450-square-foot salon in 1996, owner Wendy White McCown worked as the hairstylist, office manager, receptionist, hair washer, and maid. Even though she was just 22 years old, a loyal clientele followed her to the little-salon-that-could, operated by a small-town Christian gal, and she multi-tasked constantly to make it work.
“When you’re that young, you’re not afraid of anything. You think, ‘I can own my own business, sure. Why not?’” McCown said. “I’ve grown up a lot since then and have learned so much in the process.”McCown, the oldest of four girls, said she quickly learned that to own a business and oversee a staff meant that people would have to take her seriously, and as an unassuming female 20-something, that was difficult. Rather than let that deter her, she polished the adult skills that traditionally make for a successful businesswoman; skills like assertiveness tempered with respect, structure offset by creativity, and self-determination coupled with teamwork.
“When I got tired of renting and decided to buy, there were people in line ahead of me to get this new location on West McNeese Street, but I had already learned that I’d have to be persistent if I was going to be successful. I called every day, asking to buy it, and the seller kept telling me that he planned to sell it to someone else. I called anyway, asking ‘Did he give you the money yet? Because I have the money.’ Finally he said if I could be in the parking lot within thirty minutes, he’d sell it to me,” McCown said. “I made it.”
Signatures at 803 W. McNeese Street is now considered one of the premiere salons in the area. In 2009, it was named one of the top 50 businesses in Lake Charles.
McCown said she runs a structured work environment, but also believes that employees should have the freedom to express their ideas, thoughts, or concerns.
“When you’re in a supervisory position, there is a fine line between your relationships with your employees. You want them to respect you, but you want to respect them and think of your relationship as a friendship, too. It can be challenging, but we make it work. My business philosophy is that my staff needs to be successful first, because if they’re successful, it makes me successful,” McCown said.
She credits much of her success to her parents. “They taught me to have integrity in everything I do, to respect everyone, work hard, treat people the way I would want to be treated, and put the Lord first,” she said.
With a staff of 17 employees, McCown no longer has to book appointments or wash towels, so instead she spends her time figuring out how Signatures can stay on top of its game.
There are a lot of salons in this area, and they’re all trying to figure out how they can be the best, too,” McCown said. “You can’t stop evolving, learning, or growing, or someone else will pass you by.”
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