LOUISIANA< Mo — Following is the final part in a story series by contributing writer Brent Engel. Lots of advice can be found on how to keep small communities vibrant.

The best comes not from a high-priced lecturer, stuffy academic or impersonal survey, but from the merchant down the street – the one you see in the grocery aisle, at a high school ballgame, singing in the church choir or walking the dog.

The Louisiana Chamber of Commerce is taking steps to bolster existing businesses and attract new ones. New initiatives such as InnovateU and Chamber Bucks are under way. The process is admittedly slow, but progress rarely happens overnight.

Just ask Joe Findley. He waited a long time before making his dream a reality. The 44-year-old Louisiana native and his wife, Erin, opened Fin’s Tattoo Studio at 415 Georgia in May 2022.

It’s one of several businesses that have put out a shingle in the last two years. Many see such places as the future for small towns, especially in an era when luring a large employer is difficult.

“It’s probably the scariest move I’ve made in life, but it is something that I wanted to do,” said Findley, whose business is one of the chamber’s newest members. “I realized I might fall on my face. The only regret I have is not starting it sooner.”

 

The best plans

Findley’s determination was coupled with skill and analysis.

He was encouraged in childhood to develop and avoid squandering an artistic talent that included everything from drawing pictures to playing guitar.

There also was a lot of hard work. While holding two jobs, Findley spent a couple of years researching requirements, developing a plan and putting together financing.

It all paid off. Findley says business is “very steady” and estimates he does eight to 12 designs a week. It can take anywhere from three minutes to six hours, depending upon the intricacy involved.

The studio has become so popular that tattoo artist Kirstie Lanning was added. On weekdays, Fin’s does work by appointment-only and is booked two months in advance. Walk-in clients are welcomed on weekends.

“With the support of family and friends, I took the leap,” Findley said. “I’m glad I did it.”

Forty-two-year-old Jeni Leigh Gambino is equally enthused. She and her husband, Michael, 37, opened Gambino’s Eatery in July 2023 at the corner of Third and Georgia.

With two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, Michael Gambino already had the necessary knowledge. But that was in Las Vegas. And while some things are immutable, adapting to the culinary needs of smaller communities can still be a challenge.

“It’s taken a lot of planning,” Jeni Leigh Gambino admitted. “It’s been a learning process, and I imagine it will continue to be.”

It’s no secret that starting or expanding a business is difficult, especially in turbulent economic times. Gambino advises reaching out when help is needed.

“Try not to get overwhelmed,” she said. “Listen to other people’s opinions. It’s always good to get a different perspective.”

InnovateU was started as a way to help businesses identify problems and come up with solutions. The monthly get-togethers are informative and practical. Chamber President Tabitha Rardon says it’s part of a commitment to “addressing the challenges facing” Louisiana.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community, and we provide various resources and support services to help them survive,” said Rardon, who owns TNT Craft Studio at 417 Georgia with her husband, Tom.

 

Big advantage

Louisiana has at least one edge over larger communities.

Call it the “friendliness factor.” Chances are big-city merchants and box stores see little but dollar signs when people walk in the door. They can lack the personal attention found at mom and pop shops.

“It is such a blessing to get to know our customers…what is going on with them, how are they doing?” said Chamber Secretary Viki Cadwallader, a 54-uear-old Louisiana native who owns a real estate brokerage and mobile coffee business.

“Community is the heartbeat of our small town, and we’ve been incredibly grateful for what local support we’ve received so far,” added Gambino, whose restaurant is a chamber member. “Every visit and kind word fuels our passion to contribute to the fabric of our special riverbank town.”

While competitive prices are important, customers often say they’re more likely to return to a place that treats them well. Findley has seen what cordiality can do for shoppers and store owners alike.

“There’s a huge mutual respect there,” he said. “The camaraderie is really, really cool.”

There will be setbacks, of course. The Yum Factory, a bakery and candy store at Third and South Carolina, recently shut its doors. Stakeholders are determined that the closing is a hiccup.

One of them is Sydney Spiller, another chamber board member and business owner who believes Louisiana has limitless promise. She encourages offering residents and visitors a commercial identity that would set the community apart, and cites an art district as an example.

“Essentially, I feel the historic downtown could be built up beautifully to draw traffic from the surrounding towns with our help,” said Spiller, 28, who owns Dean’s Outdoors LLC at 414 Georgia with her husband, Cody.

Another positive is age. Small towns wither if they don’t have enough engaged young people. Those opening businesses in Louisiana are mostly between 25 and 45, a trend that bodes well.

“I would love to see other young entrepreneurs – whether they have a brick and mortar or not – join the chamber and utilize the tools and connections that this chamber has to offer,” Spiller said.

One last thing

Findley and Cadwallader don’t mince words.

So, it’s no surprise when they remind neighbors, friends and others that it will take involvement by more than the chamber to achieve greater success.

“The more you support your local businesses, the more the community will thrive,” Findley said.

“We have so many people in this community who speak positively, and I encourage even more to begin doing so,” Cadwallader added. “Look for something good to point out when speaking to others and when on social media. Let’s squelch negative talk.”

 

Cutline for photo: Jeni Leigh Gambino puts bottles of wine on display at Gambino’s  Eatery, the downtown Louisiana restaurant that she and her husband, Michael, opened in July 2023.

Editor’s disclosure: Brent Engel is a Louisiana Chamber of Commerce board member.