Shell Backs 21 Louisiana Entrepreneurs in Year Four

Small business owners across Louisiana's rural parishes are getting a powerful boost to turn their big ideas into thriving local businesses.

Shell LiveWire just selected 21 entrepreneurs for its 2026 Louisiana cohort, marking the program's fourth year of supporting small businesses in the state. The entrepreneurs represent diverse industries including health and wellness, construction, veterinary care, food services, and outdoor recreation.

The program connects business owners across 13 rural South Louisiana parishes with expert guidance in marketing, finance, and team management. Participants gain access to customized training sessions led by local subject matter experts who understand the unique challenges of building businesses in smaller communities.

Shell USA partners with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center to deliver the yearlong program. The LSBDC brings over 40 years of experience helping small businesses grow, operating through ten university-based regional centers across the state.

The initiative serves parishes including Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, and Terrebonne. These predominantly rural areas often have fewer resources for aspiring entrepreneurs compared to major urban centers.

The Ripple Effect

Shell LiveWire's global impact demonstrates what's possible when entrepreneurs get proper support. In 2025 alone, the program trained more than 2,500 people worldwide, supported over 790 businesses, created more than 1,000 new jobs, and sustained over 2,600 existing positions.

Louisiana's small business network shows similar promise. The LSBDC serves more than 3,880 businesses annually, helps launch nearly 200 new businesses, creates over 738 jobs, and facilitates more than $46 million in capital formation each year.

When small businesses succeed, entire communities benefit through job creation, economic diversity, and local investment that stays in the area. Each entrepreneur in this cohort has the potential to become an employer, mentor, and economic anchor for their community.

These 21 business owners are building more than companies—they're strengthening the economic foundation of rural Louisiana for generations to come.