Baton Rouge Business Report Faces of Family Business [2021] by Baton Rouge Business Report

2021

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FACES OF FAMILY BUSINESS

Family businesses are uniquely connected to the past and the future. They are driven by a desire to preserve their family legacies and create a bright future for generations to come. This special advertising section highlights local families—married couples, siblings, and multiple generations—who support our community and contribute to its economic growth.

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Bridgeway Hospice ESTABLISHED 2012

(From left) Vickie Dozier-Verret, RN; Mackenzie McBride; Kristin Kling; Brittney Cotten; Dana Smith McBride, RN, CEO; Mackenzie Freitas, RN; Bobbie Delk, RN; Shannon Hebert, RN; Brittany Dozier, LPN. Not pictured: Hollie Carlson, RN; and Hannah McBride.

HISTORY Bridgeway opened its doors in 2012 when Dana Smith McBride took a leap of faith and started the company in Baton Rouge. As a registered nurse, she had a passion for bringing personalized health care into the homes of patients and families at the end of their lives. She and her two daughters, Hannah McBride and Mackenzie McBride, hold leadership roles in the agency, but count several cousins, nieces, in-laws, and many other employees among their extended family. Bridgeway has expanded with two additional locations in Lafayette and Plaquemine. “We are so proud of the number of lives we have impacted and the patients we have had the honor to serve in our (almost) 10 years in business,” Dana says.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? Compassionate, unbiased care and comfort is our ultimate goal and the cornerstones that shape it are honesty, integrity, consistency and accountability. We treat patients like they are our family and we take a “do unto others” approach. We hold our team to high standards and focus on helping to “create moments that matter.” The end of life should be treated with just as much care and attention as the beginning of life. This is what sets us apart from other hospices—genuine compassion and honest care.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? Working with family is a great blessing, especially as our family grows—and that includes the members of our team who don’t share our last name or bloodline. They also become our family. We work together, we do life together, we support one another and we strive to treat our patients like they are family as well. At the core of the company is our family foundation—when the foundation is solid, so is the service.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? COVID-19 was such a challenge because it was uncharted territory and we had no idea what to expect. As we braced our agency for what was to come, new protocols and procedures were initiated to protect our patients and our staff— not only their physical health, but also their mental health and job security. We could never have imagined some of the scenarios we found ourselves in, but we grew together and leaned on each other, thought outside of the box, and realized that we were even more flexible than we thought. We learned that together, we can conquer anything.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? Bridgeway has a bright future as we continue to focus on the highest quality of care for patients and the relationships in the communities we serve. We are embarking on several projects to broaden the understanding of what hospice is and who Bridgeway can serve. Look for us in new territories in the near future as we grow and expand.

13702 COURSEY BLVD., SUITE 5B • BATON ROUGE, LA 70817 • 225.753.1495 • BRIDGEWAYHOSPICE.NET 78

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JCN Financial & Tax Advisory Group, LLC ESTABLISHED 2002 (From left) Karen, Olivia and John Neyland

HISTORY Before becoming a financial advisor, I was in the contracting business. One day, my motherin-law shared her concern about losing money in her investments, and although I had no experience in the matter, it was important for me to help her. I accompanied her to a meeting with her financial advisor and was disappointed that there was no real plan for my mother-in-law and her retirement. The advisor could not explain why she was losing money, and he just had a “hold on and it will come back” attitude. Aggravated, I formed JCN Financial in 2002.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? Money may be one of the most overvalued assets in all of life. It is either a barrier or a doorway. Many people know more about medicine than their money. By educating our clients and encouraging them to dream, we can help them find a doorway to an unexpected, vibrant and happy life.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? As I am sure it is for most people, family is my greatest love. I believe most of us want the same thing—time with those we love. For me, working with my wife and daughter is as if I am on vacation each day. My wife is my everything and my daughter—she is my dream.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? Turning my business into my life’s mission wasn’t really hard, but I had not been taught how to do it. For many businesses, the single biggest objective is to make money. That was important, but I came into this business with a mission to help people have a better life. I’d say the single biggest key

was treating my staff in such a way that the mission was clear.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED? Hiring staff to do our own research and becoming investment managers (not just investment advisors) has been huge. I learned to be very careful before I trust someone else’s homework. You gain tremendous confidence putting time and effort into creating something that is special to you. It was a big task and a large investment—but the challenge pales in comparison to the joy of making a difference.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? To create a brighter future for our staff. I am exceedingly proud of our family and focused on providing a platform for all of us to grow. We are accelerating our digital media presence and will grow tremendously there. Educating our clients is of primary importance to me and we are expanding our reach to improve their understanding.

18212 E. PETROLEUM DR., BUILDING 3, SUITE A • BATON ROUGE • 225.755.0488 • JCNFINANCIAL.COM Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, July 2021

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M&M Glass Company ESTABLISHED 1985 (From left) Penny Van Pelt, Chris Van Pelt, Bob Mitchell, and Caleb Van Pelt

HISTORY M&M Glass Company was founded in 1985 by Robert “Bob” Mitchell. Bob worked offshore as a wireline operator, but when he was home, he sold mirrors from a wooden rack on his Mazda pickup truck for extra money. His strong work ethic and reasonable prices soon won over many area builders, who began to request shower doors in addition to mirrors. In 2001, Bob’s son-in-law, Chris Van Pelt, joined the business and in 2018, Chris became the owner of the company. He expanded M&M Glass to include 17 trucks, seven buildings and 40 employees serving Baton Rouge, Lafayette, the North Shore, New Orleans, and the Houma/Terrebonne area.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? The customer is always right. We believe that value is achieved when you provide the best service with the best products at the best price, and we seek to provide this value to every customer we serve.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? Working with family is hard, but at the same time, it’s great. We are passionate when we agree on things, and also when we disagree. Overall, it’s great to spend time during your workday on projects with your family.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? COVID-19 and the Flood of 2016. During the flood, we received two feet of water in all seven of our buildings. It was tough to deal with. We still struggle with supply chain issues due to COVID, but we have the best team of people at M&M, and they make it happen.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED? Our business has grown quickly and it has been difficult to manage that growth. We have had our struggles. When we first started, our pay scale needed some work. We realized that if we want to provide the best customer experience, we had to have the best employees. Now we provide salaries, benefits, and an insurance program that demonstrates how much we value our team, and it has served us well.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? We will seek innovations in service, software, new technology in shower doors and mirrors, and equipment that can make our employees’ jobs easier. We are always looking toward the future!

13429 S. CHOCTAW DR. • BATON ROUGE, LA 70815 • 225.272.9143 • MMGLASS.NET 80

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Cypress Roofing ESTABLISHED 2019

(From left) Samantha Dupuis, Joshua Gonzalez, Alex Carmouche and Caprice Cline

HISTORY

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS?

Equipped with a strong knowledge of the roofing industry and a desire to build a faith-based company, Caprice Cline and her three adult children—Joshua, Samantha and Alexandra—formed Cypress Roofing in 2019. “We started with just two computers and a stack of business cards,” Caprice says. “We were working out of our home and we went door-knocking every day. That’s how we built the business.” A hail storm and an unprecedented hurricane season gave the new company the opportunity to showcase their skills, and the business has grown steadily ever since.

God first, family second and career/business third. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to run a faith-based family business and meet the absolute best people in the process. The roofs are just lagniappe. We have also built a great team around us who love people just as much as we do.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? About 99.9% of the time, it is great; the other .01% can be a little tough! We see each other all day, work together, hang out at night and make regular fishing trips to our camp in Cocodrie. We learned early on that we cannot harbor any hard feelings or thoughts toward each other for more than 30 seconds. We must talk everything out and then let it go.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? Being a new company and experiencing explosive growth has been our biggest challenge. We have been blessed with great people who are committed not only to their own success but to the success of their peers and the overall company. Every person who is working with us … we did not seek them out or put an ad in the paper … they gravitated to us for a reason. That’s God’s hand on everything.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? 2020 was big, but 2021, watch out! We are in the process of expanding our repairs and gutter divisions and bringing on additional staff. We feel like God has brought the best in the business to Cypress Roofing, and we want to bring the best to our customers.

1802 S. SONNY AVE. • GONZALES, LA 70737 • 225.603.4860 • CYPRESSROOFINGLA.COM Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, July 2021

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Superior Steel, LLC ESTABLISHED 1967

(Standing left to right) Jay Easley, Jeff Easley Sr., Joseph Easley Jr., Jeffrey Easley Jr.; (seated left to right) Lynn Easley Laris, Joe Easley Sr., Bobbie P. Easley.

HISTORY Joe Easley Sr. founded Superior Steel LLC, an AISC-certified company, in 1967 with the support of his wife Bobbie. In 1971, his brother Jay joined the company and now serves as senior project manager in the commercial division. Joseph Easley Jr. joined the company in 1978 and holds the position of president and CEO. Joe’s daughter Lynn Laris has served as office manager since 1980. Youngest son Jeff Easley Sr. joined SSI in 1982 and is now senior project manager in the industrial division. 2007 brought the third generation into the business with Jeffrey Easley Jr. serving as senior estimator.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? Integrity, honesty and loyalty are just a few of the qualities Joe Sr. has instilled in his family members, and these values continue to guide our business plan today. We have developed longstanding relationships with many of our customers and we welcome future customers into our network.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? It can be both rewarding and challenging. To make a family business function, we must be able to separate the family aspect from the business environment. Everyone has an individual job to do regardless of their family ties. While at home, the focus is on family—but at work, business comes first. Our philosophy hasn’t changed. Balancing the two is the key and our third generation recognizes this.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED? We’ve faced many challenges, including a slow economy and steel shortages. But the biggest challenge was the 2016 flood that hit Denham Springs. Five feet of water covered our entire fabrication shop, submerging computers, welding machines and all major pieces of equipment. Our equipment was either destroyed or required extensive repairs, and it took over a year to return to pre-flood conditions.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED? As an older, established family-owned company, we’ve had to adapt. So many changes have occurred in our industry— technology, equipment, procedures, etc. Knowing when and how to make transitions is an important lesson the family has had to learn. We may not all agree, but making changes and modifications lets us keep up with the markets and stay “in the game” with our competition.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? We’ll continue on the same path that has brought us success for the past 54 years. We are always looking for ways to improve our products as we meet the requirements of the architects and engineers on every job. Superior Steel is continuously adding more equipment, production space, technology, safety, and quality programs to meet the growing needs of the industry. Today, with our third generation of family, we are excited to see what the future holds.

100 HATCHELL LANE • DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726 • 225.275.7040 • SUPERIORSTEELINC.COM 82

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Pointe Coupee Pecan ESTABLISHED 1990

(From left) Donald Lee, Sharon and Myles Bergeron

HISTORY

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS?

Donald Lee Bergeron began testing recipes in his kitchen at home and came up with our original pecan candy. He and his wife Sharon started the business in a small facility surrounded by pecan trees in Pointe Coupee Parish. While growing up, their three children worked at the company, learning a strong work ethic and family values. They witnessed firsthand the amount of effort and dedication required to open and maintain a successful business. After graduating from LSU, their son Myles was drawn back to the family business. With his addition came expansion and fresh ideas.

The passion for this unique environment feeds our pecan orchards and dedication to our company. We treat customers, employees and vendors like family. Establishing and keeping these relationships are the keys to our success. We take pride in our products and our responsibility to care for them is as important as the people we serve. Providing exceptional quality and service is the most important thing we do. This commitment is what makes our products such a popular choice.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? Each family member brings a different set of talents, abilities and perspectives to work each day. Our collective wisdom, creativity and energy intertwine and create a dynamic work culture. This can be tasted in all of our pecan treats. The love and respect we have for each other is the same love and respect we have for those we serve. Working with people you trust—people who have the same core values, loyalty and vested interest in the company—has been a true blessing.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? As anyone in agriculture knows, weather can present unique challenges. Although there is nothing we can do to change weather events, the uncertainty

remains each pecan season. This causes fluctuating market conditions. Our strong long-term relationships with vendors throughout the supply chain sets us apart.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? We wanted to be more accessible to the Baton Rouge community while also staying close to our roots. We moved from our humble beginnings to a new facility conveniently located in Port Allen. We also opened a retail store at this location. This allows us to serve more customers while maintaining the finest quality. Our gift options continue to expand with innovative new products and flavors. We have grown into one of the premier gift providers in the industry for companies and individuals.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? We realize the importance of gift giving in the business world. We will continue to help strengthen corporate relationships by offering unrivaled service and exceptional gift products. Choosing the right gift can be challenging. We give our personal attention, making this easy for you and memorable for your customers. Our sincere appreciation for our customers and grateful respect for our trees will never change!

1284 CAJUN DR. • PORT ALLEN, LA 70767 • 225.490.2025 • PCPECAN.COM Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, July 2021

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Red Stick Visual Solutions ESTABLISHED 2020

Michael and Erin Franco

HISTORY Because both sets of their parents own businesses and work closely together, Michael and Erin Franco always joked that it was inevitable they would someday do the same. When Michael’s engineering job was affected by the pandemic, it was the push they needed to take a leap of faith and start their own company together. Michael’s work for NASA and experience in the industrial engineering and construction field—as well as his years as a drone pilot—gave him an eye for emerging technologies that had growth potential for many industries. Erin’s marketing and public relations experience has enabled the company to tap into creative visual marketing services with these technologies as well.

WHAT SERVICES DOES YOUR COMPANY OFFER?

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS?

We offer 3D laser scanning and drone services that provide customized workflow, documentation, and marketing solutions for the commercial AEC industries, schools and more. Some of our clients’ industries have been using 3D scanning and drones for years, and others are just beginning to get excited about the incredible possibilities of these technologies.

We do business with integrity and value strong, positive relationships. We want our clients to feel the care we take with each project. Our company allows us to provide for our family and contribute to our community together in a new way, and we take that seriously.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? We do not have everything all figured out, but we do maintain intentional, regular, and healthy habits of communication in our schedule. In some ways, the lessons and lifestyle of having a large family—we have five children—helped to prepare us to run a company together. We are familiar with one another’s strengths and weaknesses, we try to keep a sense of humor, and we both know how to eat a big plate of humble pie on occasion.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? Starting a company together in the middle of a pandemic was a major leap of faith, but we’ve been amazed at the growth we’ve had. We are excited to be expanding our services this summer with new drone and laser scanning technologies. We will be able to offer significant additional scanning and drone services for large commercial and industrial projects in particular. These technologies will be game-changing for some of our clients.

BATON ROUGE, LA • 225.999.7017 • REDSTICKVISUALSOLUTIONS.COM 84

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The Printing Source ESTABLISHED 1990

Candice, Wayne and Kyle Perrilloux.

HISTORY Wayne Perrilloux established The Printing Source as an offset printing company that also offered marketing material. A graduate in printing technology, he had a dream of owning a business that his children could take over someday. As the printing industry evolved, his son and daughter, Kyle and Candice Perrilloux, have transformed the business by acquiring new equipment and printing processes to better service their clients. The company received a Family Business of the Year Award from the Small Business Administration in 2019.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? For 30 years, we have taken pride in consistently offering quality service and a quality product. Providing “Service with a Heart” is the core of our mission and we have dedicated ourselves to satisfying each one of our customers.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY?

operate the business to keep our employees and customers safe. Using technology to offer innovative alternatives to manage the way we conduct business has made us more efficient in serving our customers.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED?

It is a true blessing. There have been so many meaningful experiences that have enabled us to grow and evolve as a family. We cherish the time we spend working within the business, knowing that we all have a shared vision and goal—staying true to our mission of serving the Baton Rouge community.

The printing industry is based around technology and processes, so it is critical to keep up with the trends in the market. The investment of new equipment and software has been the lifeblood of our company’s quality and service.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED?

We are excited about the future. We have added new employees to our growing team and we are creating an updated web presence. As the city recovers from the recent pandemic, we are ready to serve businesses and organizations with all of their marketing and apparel needs.

The recent pandemic offered new challenges, but gave us the opportunity to take a step back and review where we are and our plans for the future. We have made adjustments to the way we

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY?

888 HARDING BLVD. • BATON ROUGE, LA 70807 • 225.775.3334 • PRINTINGSOURCEBR.COM Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, July 2021

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The Paretti Family of Dealerships ESTABLISHED 1936

(From left) Craig Paretti Jr., Melissa Paretti, Stacey Paretti Rase, Mike Rase

HISTORY The Paretti family began its automotive business in 1936 as a service station. Over the years the business has sold and serviced numerous brands, including Pontiac, Alfa Romeo, Triumph, MG, Chrysler, American Rambler, Mazda, Jaguar and Land Rover. Company President Craig Paretti and his sister Stacey Paretti Rase serve as fourth generation operators with the fifth generation waiting in the wings. Mike Rase is vice president and general manager of Paretti Jaguar Land Rover Baton Rouge and recently celebrated his 27th anniversary with the company.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? In every situation we wholeheartedly try to put the customer first. Our staff is our greatest asset and we empower them to work with an ownership mentality. We have extraordinarily low turnover. In fact, one of our employees, Rufus Gatlin, has worked for all four generations of the Paretti family.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? In 2004 our third generation family member suddenly passed away at the age of 56 and the fourth generation stepped in at an extremely young age. Less than a year later, Katrina crushed our Metairie campus and shortly after, Land Rover New Orleans burned down. It’s in these dire circumstances that family pulls together. You must rely on your team. We are blessed that our employees rose to the occasion in all of these trying times.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED? Not long ago, those in the car business struggled with the idea of selling cars through a dealership website, but that mentality has changed dramatically. Today, we receive thousands of leads per month via a multitude of internet-based applications. What was once a 9 a.m.-7 p.m. business is now 24/7. It’s important to find employees who see the value in being responsive to customer needs and embrace the 24/7 mentality.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? Our brand-new Jaguar Land Rover New Orleans dealership will open in July. This has been in the works for many years and we are thrilled the time has finally come to further advance the brands in the marketplace. In other exciting news, we will break ground in Covington this year with a second Mazda location. This will be the family’s first adventure on the north shore.

13934 AIRLINE HWY. • BATON ROUGE, LA 70817 • 225.756.5247 • PARETTI.COM 86

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Advanced Office Systems, Inc. ESTABLISHED 1981

(From left) Paul, Matt and PJ Pokorney

HISTORY After working in the business technology industry for six years in Orlando, Florida, Paul Pokorney established Advanced Office Systems in 1981 when an opportunity arose to start his own company. Baton Rouge was a good fit since Louisiana was experiencing growth in the gas and oil industry. The odds were stacked against Paul because the economy was in decline and interest rates were at an all-time high, but he took the risk and his gamble paid off. His sons Matt and PJ work in the family business as well.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? Our purpose is to create a great experience for our customers and employees with the goal of keeping them for life. Our mission is to develop loyal employees who build lasting relationships with our customers. And our vision is to help people succeed. If we get it right with our employees, they will get it right with our customers.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? It has been a great experience for us. We all have our individual strengths and we let each other take the lead in those areas where we stand out.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED? Our biggest challenge was the change in the business landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning to adapt to the needs of our clients and still deliver the best customer experience has been a big hurdle. So we changed our product offerings, focused on technology that allowed our clients to work remotely, and found new ways to provide our services.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED? We started Advanced Office Systems as a copier company and experienced incredible growth. Today, we are a managed service provider offering complete IT and network solutions, document imaging, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software, medical billing solutions, multi-function devices, and large format printers. We have also learned that in order to succeed, we must lead our team on a path of personal growth—adding value by improving the lives of our employees creates a better experience for our clients.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? While a lot of companies in our industry are downsizing, we are moving in the opposite direction. We are fencing out instead of fencing in. We have recently purchased a new building for our headquarters in Baton Rouge and will be doubling our footprint this year. We have made significant investments and upgrades in our IT and managed service offerings, and will be working hard to grow that area of our business.

11434 INDUSTRIPLEX BLVD. • BATON ROUGE, LA 70809 • 225.752.7700 • ADVANCEDOFFICE.COM Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, July 2021

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Valluzzo Companies ESTABLISHED 1958

(From left) Michael Valluzzo, Charlie Valluzzo, John Valluzzo, Nicholas Valluzzo

HISTORY In 1958, Doc Valluzzo met Ray Kroc and began the family’s first partnership with McDonald’s in Alabama. Along with his son Charlie, Doc moved to Baton Rouge in 1964 and opened the first McDonald’s in south Louisiana. In 2010, John and his sons Nicholas and Michael formed Valluzzo Companies, continuing the Valluzzo legacy with McDonald’s. Together they have grown their organization to 81 restaurants. While Baton Rouge is home, Valluzzo Companies spans across three states, coming full circle with Nicholas in Birmingham, returning to where it all began for the family in Alabama. John Valluzzo shares his thoughts on family, legacies, faith, and the future.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? We live and work by the motto of good food, good people and good neighbors. What is good for one of us is good for all of us. We put our people first and give back to our community because both have shaped who we are today. These principles are not new to the family and have only continued to grow with each new generation entering into the family business.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY? Each generation takes pride in enjoying work. While the older generations teach the business as younger ones learn it, there is no exact mandate on management style or decision making. We do not all take the same path to get results, but our intentions are all born out of a deep desire to do what’s right, honor the legacy, and leave

a lasting positive influence on the business and our people.

HOW HAS THE PAST SHAPED THE FUTURE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION? In the preservation of our family’s core vision. I strive every day to become a better and modern businessman my father and grandfather can be proud of, based on their example. I see it in my sons who are both doing it in their own way. They are also fathers raising our possible fifth generation of family business owners. They are committed to being good men and stewards of the community with servant leadership, a people first approach, and faith in God. Sixty-plus years in business can be tough—60-plus years and four generations in a family business is tougher! The most important lessons are to be thankful, work hard, give back, listen and grow.

8710 JEFFERSON HWY. • BATON ROUGE, LA 70809 • 225.300.8960 • VALLUZZOCOMPANIES.COM 88

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Genesis 360 Maintenance & Construction ESTABLISHED 2011

Craig Stevens

HISTORY Genesis 360 started out as a parking lot striping company, then evolved into a full-service maintenance and construction company. After getting his construction license, owner Craig Stevens positioned the company as a onestop shop for services related to building maintenance, grounds maintenance, and construction. Genesis 360 now does work across the country for commercial business owners, shopping centers, and the federal government.

WHAT VALUES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS? As a retired Air Force Officer, I adopted the same core values for which I was held accountable in the Air Force—”Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do!”

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED & WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED? We have grown tremendously. We originally provided service only in Louisiana, but now we cover the entire U.S. It’s difficult to scale if you limit your company to one geographic area or just one service.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOUR BUSINESS HAS FACED? Our biggest challenge has been establishing brand recognition in the local community. On

the federal government level, specifically with the Army Corps of Engineers, we’re a household name and have a number of multi-million dollar past performance projects outside Louisiana. But we have to do a better job making local businesses aware of our skills and services.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? Along with our strong relationships and past performance, we hold a number of certifications that position us to become a multi-billion-dollar company in 10 years—8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned, HUBZONE and DBE, for example. We have several projects in the pipeline from the commercial and federal sectors. Our plan is to become the “Amazon” of maintenance and construction. We are excited about the future and what God has in store for us.

804 MAIN ST. • BATON ROUGE, LA 70802 • 225.304.6657 • CRAIG@GENESIS360LLC.COM Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, July 2021

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