Sowela Technical Community College students learned firsthand what it takes to succeed from four local, successful business owners Friday.

The college hosted an entrepreneurship panel for students to hear directly from local entrepreneurs. Those speaking included Kristy Armand, founder and owner, Healthy Image Marketing; Eric Avery, president, Crying Eagle Brewing Company; Damika Harmon, owner, Humanity Health;  Warren Vandever, CEO and founder, Gophr.

The panel was a part of LC Launch Small Business Development Week, a citywide initiative to nurture entrepreneurship in Southwest Louisiana. Kimberly Dellafosse, assistant city administrator, City of Lake Charles, said at the panel that the number of participants in Small Business week indicates the importance of local business.

“We’ve had a number of partners to participate this week because I believe most people understand that these small businesses, entrepreneurs, are the backbone of this economy.”

Vandever started his entrepreneurship journey after his time in the military.

“I became a process operator and it was nothing more than a job. It was a great thing … it wasn’t fulfilling. I missed the lifestyle of the military and the freedom that it brought,” he recalled. “So I just dove into it one day.”

The speakers all spoke about taking the leap, the sharp life shift needed to pursue their business ideas.

“To me, that was the scariest part. I was a single mom, I had three kids,” said Armand, whose business developed as she did freelance work while she was the director of marketing at Memorial Hospital. “At some point, I either needed to believe in myself enough … or I couldn’t.”

All four speakers agreed that freedom and passion are at the heart of the entrepreneurial spirit. Harmon – who opened her business later in life – expanded on this, stating it also takes dedication.

“That’s the number one thing,” she said. “Be willing to make the sacrifices because there’s a lot of hours that you have to put in on your own time.”

Funding is vital to get a business off the ground. Avery said while this can be overwhelming, money is more accessible than people think.

“If you’ve got a great idea, money is the least of your problems, okay? It’s very easy to get money if you’ve got a great idea,” he explained.“People, banks, private equity, friends, family, they are all looking and starving for great people to invest in and great business ideas.”

The entrepreneurial path will have highs and lows, but that is what makes the experience worth it, Vandever said.

“It’s the highs, the lows, the grit … where passion meets perseverance,” he said.  “So if you’re really passionate about what you’re after and you have the grit and tenacity to see it through, that’s what being an entrepreneur is, the journey.

“Embrace the suck and hang on for the ride.”

For more information on jumpstarting a small business, visit the Louisiana Small Business Development Center on McNeese State University’s campus, 4310 Ryan St, Suite 162 or visit geauxbiz.sos.la.gov.