St. Charles Parish residents who are trying to start a business, grow an existing one or build their career can now get free, in-person guidance – and a free lunch – through the United Way of St. Charles’ Bridge to Business and Careers Lunch and Learn Series.
The series, which will run through July 2027, is open to all parish residents, with no registration required and no fee to attend.
Trista Brazan, communications manager for UWSC, said she hopes residents leave each session with practical skills, valuable knowledge and greater confidence to help their businesses and careers thrive.
“We believe that lasting change comes not only from providing assistance, but also from empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to help themselves and build a stronger financial future,” she said.
The Lunch and Learn Series is made up of 90-minute, standalone sessions that cover topics like writing a business plan, hiring staff, budgeting and marketing.
Brazan said she is especially excited about the marketing session.
“We’ve heard from many small business owners who are so focused on the day-to-day demands of running their businesses that they don’t always have the time or opportunity to learn how to grow them,” she said. “We hope this session gives them practical tools and strategies they can put to work right away.”
Participants will receive a free meal at each session and can enter a raffle for gift cards. The sessions will focus on practical job-readiness skills while helping participants develop basic business plans and marketing strategies.
The lunch series is a partnership between UWSC and the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. The organizations announced their joint Workforce Development and Small Business Training Initiative, which is aimed at equipping parish residents with the tools, knowledge and confidence needed to secure employment and build sustainable income through entrepreneurship.
Brazan said the Lunch and Learn Series was inspired by the United Way’s mission to create greater financial stability within the community.
“We want to reach the small business owner who may be running a one- or two-person operation and give them access to practical guidance on budgeting, marketing, growth planning and more,” she said. “Our goal is to provide them with tools they can use to strengthen their businesses, plan for the future and ultimately prosper.”
