If you’ve visited the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP) office located inside BRF’s InterTech 1 on Kings Highway in Shreveport, one of the first things you likely noticed are the bright blue couches situated in the middle of the room. These couches are not just a vibrant part of the decor — they are the heart of EAP’s introductory process. Here, the “blue couch meeting” serves as the crucial first step for anyone looking to transform their business idea into reality. Over nearly a decade, these blue couches have hosted a multitude of aspiring entrepreneurs, with EAP hearing over1,700 business ideas. Literally, from A to Z, we’ve seen it all and then some!
The purpose of blue couch meetings
Blue couch meetings are designed to be casual introductory sessions between entrepreneurs and the EAP team. There is no need to get dressed up in your best suit or prepare a 30-page business plan. We simply want to hear your story or idea, understand your business goals, and explore how we can support making those goals a reality. “We are trying to develop needs-based solutions specific to each entrepreneur we meet. No two businesses have the same objectives and obstacles, so no two businesses get the same advice. There are no cookie-cutter solutions in the startup world!” explains Julie Gilley Milam, Senior Financial Analyst at EAP.
Understanding the EAP process
After hearing your business idea and asking clarifying questions to ensure the team fully understands, Dave Smith, Executive Director of EAP, will walk you through the process of working with EAP. Every entrepreneur learns about our affiliation with BRF and BRF’s goal to Start, Recruit, and Retain businesses in North Louisiana. As a business accelerator, we focus on helping individuals start and/or grow their business. We aid in creating pro-forma financial models, marketing and management plans, and pitch decks so you have the appropriate collateral to launch your business or secure funding. We partner with you every step of the way. But remember, you are the driver of success in your venture, and your intimate understanding of the business model, cash flows, competition, and work ethic is what determines how far you can go.
What happens next?
After the introductory meeting, businesses that are a great match for EAP are assigned a business analyst and usually given some tasks to complete, like a lean canvas, which is a one-page business plan that helps entrepreneurs focus on their ideas and competencies. The EAP team always works collaboratively, but this analyst will be the go-to person to contact throughout the life cycle of your business. From the blue couches to the first sale, to the first capital raise and beyond, EAP is here to advise and support as needed. EAP can currently offer these services to startups free of charge due to two U.S. Economic Development Administration grants.
Some ideas that are shared on the blue couches aren’t quite ready for EAP or are in an industry that we may not specialize in. When that happens, we refer them out to our Resource Partners via Launch Network, like CoHab, Southern University’s MS Kick, or their local chamber of commerce. Ultimately, our end goal is to get entrepreneurs the help they need from the people who can make the most impact in starting and growing their businesses in North Louisiana.
Want to visit the blue couches?
When we started 10 years ago, we could never have predicted the diverse range of innovative ideas that would be pitched on the blue couches. Some of these visionary individuals have gone on to create companies that have achieved significant success, secured funding and grew into well-known businesses in our region. Others are still in the launch phase, diligently working every day to overcome the challenges of entrepreneurship. Yet, despite their varying stages of development, all these entrepreneurs share one thing in common: they took the time to visit the blue couches and share their story with us.
The blue couch meetings are more than just conversations; they are the foundation of our accelerator’s mission to support and nurture local talent. At EAP, we believe that every great business starts with a great idea, and every idea deserves a chance to be heard and flourish. So, whether you’re at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey or looking to take your business to the next level, we invite you to come sit on the blue couches and tell us your story. You never know where the blue couch meeting might lead. Contact EAP at eapla.com for your blue couch meeting today!
EAP is made up of a team of financial analysts committed to helping launch startups in North Louisiana. The EAP team helps young companies in many different respects. If you have an idea for a startup company or an invention and are looking for help to launch, look no further than Shreveport’s own EAP. Visit eapla.com to learn about upcoming workshops and events. Learn more about Launch Network at launchnetworkla.com.
