Shell Program Backs 21 Louisiana Small Business Owners

Twenty-one Louisiana small business owners are getting a major boost to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into thriving realities.

Shell USA and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center just selected these entrepreneurs for the 2026 Shell LiveWire program, which provides free training, expert coaching, and valuable business networks. Now in its fourth year in Louisiana, the program focuses on rural communities where resources can be harder to access.

The new cohort represents the economic diversity of Louisiana itself. Entrepreneurs include veterinary care providers, construction and electrical contractors, health and wellness professionals, photographers, food service operators, and lawn care specialists spanning 13 parishes across South Louisiana.

Each business owner will work with local experts who understand their markets and challenges. The curriculum covers essential skills like marketing strategy, financial management, and team building, all customized to meet the specific needs of Louisiana entrepreneurs.

The program targets 13 rural 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 communities often lack easy access to business development resources available in larger cities.

The Ripple Effect

Small businesses form the backbone of local economies, and their success creates opportunities far beyond their front doors. When entrepreneurs thrive, they hire neighbors, support other local businesses, and keep money circulating in their communities.

Shell LiveWire's global track record shows the potential impact. Last year alone, the program trained more than 2,500 people worldwide, supported over 790 businesses, and helped create or sustain more than 3,600 jobs across 16 countries.

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center brings four decades of experience to the partnership. Their statewide network has helped launch nearly 200 new businesses annually, facilitate over $46 million in capital formation, and provide training to nearly 5,500 entrepreneurs each year.

For the 21 entrepreneurs joining this year's cohort, the program offers something many small business owners desperately need but struggle to find: a trusted support system. They'll gain not just knowledge, but connections to others walking similar paths and experts who want to see them succeed.

These business owners are building Louisiana's economic future one company at a time.