Look around for the business opportunities that are available

More than 10 years ago, a major hail storm struck my hometown of Minden. It was a traumatic event, causing much damage to roofs, vehicles and anything left outside. Although it was a very detrimental event, there were those that saw major opportunities and seized them.

Literally, within hours, hail damage repair shops began popping up all over town. Roofers were also in town in full force.

Insurance companies were cutting checks to claimants with very little resistance and the economic engine was firing on all cylinders. Even the newspaper benefited, as all the aforementioned businesses advertised their services on a daily basis.

What started as a major negative in the news, turned out to be a positive, full of business opportunities.

Another examples comes from the energy industry. Prior to 2008, most folks in this part of the country had never heard of terms like “shale play” and “hydraulic fracturing.” Oh what a difference a few years have made.

Thanks to discovery and extraction of natural gas in what is known as The Haynesville Shale, many local folks are receiving royalty checks on top of mineral lease checks they received back in 2008.

Others are tapping in to opportunities that have come with the natural gas boom here.

Seeing and seizing the business opportunities around us are the keys to prolonged economic growth.

Sometimes the opportunities are right before our eyes, as was the case with the mineral lease payments. Others take a little work and vision.

There is a catering company in Minden that capitalized on the shale early in the game. He learned that remote gas rig sites needed food service for their employees and he had the product to meet those needs. With his cooking trailers readied, he has grown his business exponentially over the past few years.

As business owners and decision makers, it is our duty to locate new opportunities for business growth. The business that fails to grow will eventually be a business that fails.

The Haynesville Shale play has brought a host of business opportunities to our area if we search for them. Some are easy to spot, while others take more work. However, let me assure you, they exist.

Carefully examine your products and services. See how they could fit the needs of those directly involved in non-traditional industries. They are out there if you look for them.

With our national economy uncertain at best, we have to be more diligent and creative than ever to continue our growth in northwest Louisiana.

The opportunities surrounding the Haynesville Shale are just a few examples. We can look to the host of other thriving industries here to find others.

It is rare that business opportunities fall into your lap. Get serious. Get aggressive and help your local economic engine continue to fire on all cylinders. You will be so glad you did.

Until Next Time...