This year’s Shell LiveWire cohort includes two St. Charles Parish businesses: Infinity Tax & Financial Solutions, owned by Clarence West Jr., and Needle and Thread Sewing Academy, owned by Brenda Clesi.
West said his selection for the 2025 cohort is an incredible honor.
“It’s a validation of the hard work, resilience and dedication it takes to grow a small business,” he said.
Shell LiveWire is an initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and employment to strengthen local economies. The pillars of the program are education and coaching through a partnership with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center. The program also connects participants with networking opportunities to help entrepreneurs get ahead.
This is the third year the program has been active in Louisiana. Shell named 23 businesses selected from 13 Louisiana parishes to its 2025 cohort.
West said the program opens the door to valuable mentorship, resources and networking opportunities that will help him scale his business’ impact and continue empowering the community through financial literacy.
West founded Infinity Tax & Financial Solutions in 2019. The business specializes in tax preparation, credit consulting, business loans, mortgage loan origination and accounting and payroll.
“Our mission is to make financial tools and knowledge accessible to everybody,” he said.
West said his journey to the world of finance began after seeing family and friends struggle with financial literacy when he was growing up.
“I became the go-to person for budgeting advice, tax questions and credit repair help,” he said. “That inspired me to formalize my knowledge, get certified and turn what started as helping others into a business focused on empowerment and education.”
West has a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA. He is pursuing a doctoral degree in business administration.
He said his business’ most significant accomplishments have been helping clients improve their credit scores, qualify for homeownership and gain confidence in managing their finances.
“We’ve also expanded from a home-based setup to a storefront location [in Destrehan], which now serves as a welcoming space for financial education and empowerment,” West said. “I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built within the community when clients refer their family and friends, it confirms that we’re making a real, positive impact.”
Clesi said her participation in the Shell LiveWire program was a turning point.
“It validated the work I’ve been doing and gave me the tools to grow it sustainably,” she said. “The mentorship, support and connections I’ve made have been game-changers.”
She said the program sharpened her skills and renewed her passion for what she does.
“As a nonprofit founder, it’s easy to feel like you’re on an island – but Shell LiveWire gave me a team and a network,” she said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the support and excited for what’s ahead.”
Clesi’s Needle and Thread Sewing Academy is a nonprofit based in Luling that teaches children how to sew while helping them build friendships and confidence.
“It’s a place where scissors and laughter go hand-in-hand,” she said. “We work with children ages 7 and up, teaching everything from basic stitches to full garment construction, and we proudly host seasonal sewing camps, a vibrant fashion show, and outreach classes throughout the parish.”
Clesi said she hopes to expand the program to reach more children in the region.
“I’d love to establish partnerships with schools, libraries, and youth groups to bring sewing to even more kids,” she said. “We also hope to upgrade some of our well-loved (and well-worn) equipment and continue developing fresh, fun curriculum that meets children where they are.”
