Modalidad: Híbrida (3 sesiones presenciales y 4 en línea, más una consulta individual).

Las clases generalmente se realizan por la tarde y solo durante la semana, a menos que se programen cursos especiales o privados. Las ubicaciones de las clases se ofrecen en múltiples lugares.

Microbusiness Enterprise Corporation of Ascension (MBECA) es proveedor del Programa de Desarrollo de Pequeñas y Empresas Emergentes de Louisiana Economic Development. Regístrese por correo electrónico en mbeca@mbeca.org.

¿No está certificado con Louisiana Economic Development? Visite: mbeca.org/client/

MBECA es una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) y ofrece capacitación y asistencia a empresarios interesados en iniciar un negocio, acelerar un negocio existente o desarrollar habilidades de gestión. MBECA se especializa en apoyar a empresas propiedad de minorías, personas desfavorecidas, veteranos y mujeres.

Business Growth & Planning Series

Modality: Hybrid (3 face to face and 4 online plus one-on-one consultation).

Classes are generally held in the evenings and only during the week unless special courses or private courses are scheduled. Class locations are offered in multiple locations.

MBECA is a provider of Louisiana Economic Development’s Small & Emerging Business Development Program. Register by email at mbeca@mbeca.org.

Not certified with Louisiana Economic Development? Go to mbeca.org/client/

MBECA is a 501c(3) non profit organization and offers training and assistance to business owners interested in starting a business, accelerating an existing business, or gaining management skills. MBECA specializes in minority, disadvantaged, veteran, and woman-owned businesses.

 Thursday, May 14, 2026

 Price Leblanc PACE Center
St. Anthony Drive – Gonzales, Louisiana

 7:00 AM – FREE Continental Breakfast

Sponsored by Vicious Biscuit

 8:00 AM – Opening Program

Featuring speakers from MBECA and Louisiana Economic Development

This FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC event includes workshops on:

•  Artificial Intelligence (AI)
•  Cybersecurity for Small Business
•  Supplier Procurement Opportunities
•  Industry Networking

 Small Business / Big Business Connect

 10:30 AM

A unique networking opportunity where small businesses can connect directly with large
industry and procurement decision-makers to learn how to become suppliers.

 Chamber Business Luncheon

Through a partnership with the Ascension Chamber of Commerce, attendees are invited to
participate in the Chamber’s monthly networking luncheon.

 $50 per person for Lunch: Register Here for Lunch

A special panel discussion will focus on supplier opportunities and doing business with
large and heavy industry firms.

Join us as we celebrate and support the entrepreneurs and small businesses that drive
Ascension Parish’s economic growth.

Participants will delve into the strategic integration of AI technologies, including natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, to revolutionize content creation workflows. By

leveraging AI-driven tools and platforms, businesses can automate repetitive tasks, generate insights, and personalize content at scale, thereby enhancing efficiency, creativity, and audience engagement while reducing costs and time-to-market.

Register https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-for-marketing-content-creation-workshop-tickets-879791749807?aff=oddtdtcreator to receive your zoom link!

All Participants Must Be Certified in the LED Small & Emerging Business Development Program. To get SEBD Certification, visit mbeca.org/certified/

SEBD, Hudson and Veterans Initiative Certifications Being Sought

GONZALES, LA. – The Microbusiness Enterprise Corporation of Ascension Small Business Development Center is currently seeking start-up and existing firms to get certified through the Louisiana Economic Development Small and Emerging Business Development Program, the Hudson Initiative, and the Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiatives.

The Small and Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Program provides managerial and technical assistance training needed to grow and sustain a small business. It provides developmental assistance, including entrepreneurial training, marketing, computer skills, accounting, business planning, and legal and industry-specific assistance. It also gives consideration for bidding on select products or services purchased by state agencies. SEBD Intermediaries provide a free needs assessment and assistance with accessing other program benefits including training classes, one-on-one assistance and SEBD Roundtables. The SEBD Program assistance is available year-round. The SEBD Roundtables run each year from July to June and SEBD Intermediaries recruit throughout the year for eligible companies to consider for participation in the upcoming SEBD Roundtables.

Other initiatives include both the Hudson and Veterans Initiatives that assist both low income, minority, and veteran-owned businesses.

Louisiana owned small firms are eligible for 10 years from the date of application and all certified firms are welcome to participate in any of the MBECA programs.

For more information on certification, contact Lee Melancon at 225.445.1383 or by email at mbeca@mbeca.org. Interested applicants may also click here to begin the process.

About MBECA

The Microbusiness Enterprise Corporation of Ascension (MBECA) is a small business development center which offers a variety of specialized training and technical assistance programs to individuals interested in starting a business, improving an existing business, or gaining management training to improve their marketability in the workplace.

MBECA was founded in 2003 to provide economic development through managerial, technical, and entrepreneurship training and specialized assistance for micro businesses of Ascension, St. James, Iberville, and Assumption Parishes. The mission of MBECA is to inspire economic development through entrepreneurship and small business development. The program accepts applicants statewide.