Accelerate St. Landry 2025 - Business Owner Articles

CRAFTING A LEGACY FROM LOUISIANA WOOD: ADAM DOUCET OF NONC’S SHOP AND THE ACCELERATE ST. LANDRY 2025 COHORT,

In the heart of Sunset, Louisiana, a small workshop hums with the rhythm of a lathe spinning local wood into handcrafted treasures. This is Nonc’s Shop, a one-person business owned and operated by Adam “Nonc” Doucet—a self-taught woodturner, musician, and proud French speaker. Doucet’s unique business reflects both his deep Louisiana roots and his passion for preserving traditional craftsmanship through a modern lens.

A member of the Accelerate St. Landry 2025 cohort, Doucet represents a growing wave of small business owners who are transforming passion into purpose. Nonc’s Shop specializes in hand-turned items such as bottle toppers, honey dippers, ink pens, and other giftable creations—all made from a single tree. What truly sets Doucet’s work apart is his use of sinker cypress, a rare and ancient wood sourced from Louisiana swamps, with trees dating back over 1,000 years. His pieces have caught national attention, with features in respected venues like the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site.

Inspiration Rooted in Community

Originally from Port Barre, Doucet’s journey came full circle when he and his wife found a home in Sunset. The small-town charm reminded him of his childhood and inspired him to launch his business in St. Landry Parish. “There’s a spirit here,” Doucet says, “and Sunset felt like home.” The personal connection to his community is echoed in every piece he creates—each item telling a story of Louisiana heritage, culture, and craftsmanship.

A One-of-a-Kind Approach

What makes Nonc’s Shop truly unique isn’t just the craftsmanship—it’s the story behind every piece. When clients bring in an item made by Doucet, others are often drawn to it, intrigued by the fact that it was crafted from a single tree. Each creation is an heirloom in the making, blending history with utility. In a world of mass production, Doucet brings back the human touch—one spin of the lathe at a time.

“There aren’t many young people taking up this craft,” Doucet notes. “I’m taking an old-style thing and putting a new spin on it.” His innovative mindset and respect for tradition have earned him a growing following.

The Impact of Accelerate St. Landry 2025

Being part of the Accelerate St. Landry 2025 cohort gave Doucet the tools to refine his business beyond the workshop. “It made me think about the stuff that wasn’t on my radar—especially the ‘unfun’ financial side,” he says with a smile. The program offered valuable insights and practical strategies, allowing Doucet to position Nonc’s Shop for sustainable growth.

The support from the program also helped him expand his network and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. It’s through this engagement that he’s seen new opportunities take shape—like his recent acceptance into the Louisiana Craft Guild, and upcoming partnerships with local stores and companies.

Looking Ahead

As Doucet looks to the future, his goals remain grounded: to continue growing Nonc’s Shop, live comfortably doing what he loves, and preserve a rare craft for future generations. He hopes that his work might inspire others, especially younger people, to explore woodworking and connect with their heritage.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a business in St. Landry Parish, Doucet offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Make sure what you’re doing is honest and genuine. Everything will be clear and fall into place if you stay true to that.”

Engaging the Community

Doucet maintains close ties to the local community, regularly selling his creations at local antique shops and markets. These grassroots connections are more than just business—they’re about building relationships and sharing stories through wood and craft.

As Nonc’s Shop continues to grow, one thing remains constant: every item that leaves Doucet’s hands carries a piece of Louisiana with it.

Accelerate St. Landry 2025 Spotlight: Jordan’s Business Solutions Helps Local Nonprofits Thrive

St. Landry Parish is home to many passionate entrepreneurs, and one of them is Paula Jordan, owner of Jordan’s Business Solutions. Through her participation in the Accelerate St. Landry 2025 program, Paula has gained deeper insight into her strengths, streamlined her business operations, and refined her long-term goals—helping her better serve a growing network of nonprofit and small business clients.

Supporting Those Who Support Others

Jordan’s Business Solutions is a consulting firm with a unique mission: to provide hands-on, personalized support to nonprofits and small businesses. From assisting organizations with Secretary of State registration to guiding them through IRS Form 1023 applications (both easy and long form), Paula’s firm specializes in helping clients become fully compliant and grant-ready.

Her services go far beyond paperwork. Paula offers grant management, outreach strategies, team building, and training, with an emphasis on old-school, boots-on-the-ground fieldwork. She’s also known for creating "soft introductions"—networking connections that open doors for her clients.

“I have a lot of love for the people and places in St. Landry Parish,” Paula says. “This is home. A lot of nonprofits just didn’t have the resources they needed or weren’t in good standing. I wanted to be the bridge that helps them get there.”

Lessons from Accelerate St. Landry

Participating in the Accelerate St. Landry 2025 program proved transformative for Paula. It gave her a chance to reflect on her business’s strengths and areas for growth. “The program helped me look at how the business was running and pushed me to create a more streamlined plan,” she explained.

With two decades of experience in relationship-building, Paula understands the power of community connections. Much of her business comes from referrals—satisfied clients who share their success stories. By immersing herself in local events and staying connected to the community, Paula ensures that she’s always in the right place at the right time—with the right people.

A Business Built to Empower

What sets Jordan’s Business Solutions apart is its focus on small nonprofits and subcontracted support services, including small-scale event planning. Paula sees her work not just as business, but as a way to empower others. “The most rewarding part is watching a nonprofit receive funding for the first time—and then seeing how they use it to make a difference.”

Her long-term vision is to grow her client base so that Jordan’s Business Solutions becomes her full-time career. She also hopes to **employ others—particularly for outreach roles—**and to expand her training services, including pursuing certifications in project management and early childhood education support such as LA Pathways certification for Head Start programs.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For others looking to start a business in St. Landry Parish, Paula has straightforward advice:

“First, register your business and take the Accelerate St. Landry course. Second, write your full thoughts down—create a solid business plan with everything outlined.”

Looking Ahead

One of Paula’s most exciting current projects involves assisting a client in becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)—a major step in her consulting journey. “It’s new territory for me, and I’m getting a mentor to help guide the process. But it’s a big opportunity, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

As Jordan’s Business Solutions continues to grow, so does its impact on the communities of St. Landry Parish—one nonprofit at a time.

Accelerate St. Landry 2025 Spotlight: Passionate Travel Vacations Turns Wanderlust into Business Success

For Daphne White, owner of Passionate Travel Vacations, travel isn’t just a passion—it’s a business. As a certified home-based travel agent, Daphne specializes in helping others explore the world, one cruise, flight, or rental car at a time. With a special focus on cruise vacations (and a certification from Carnival Cruise Line to back it up), Daphne has built a reputation for personalized service and unforgettable travel experiences.

From Passion to Profession

Based in Opelousas, Louisiana, Daphne’s journey into the travel business began organically. She was already organizing trips for a social travel group out of New Orleans, when someone asked, “Why not get paid to do this?” That moment sparked a turning point—and Passionate Travel Vacations was born.

“The most rewarding part of owning my business is seeing people have fun and enjoy themselves,” Daphne says. “I love to travel, and it brings me joy to make others happy. When clients come back and tell me how much fun they had, that’s everything.”

Growth Through Accelerate St. Landry

Daphne’s business acumen received a major boost through her participation in the Accelerate St. Landry 2025 program. “The classes were awesome,” she shared. “There was a lot of valuable information that I didn’t know—like how I could form my own LLC.”

For Daphne, Accelerate St. Landry wasn’t just about business fundamentals—it was also about empowerment. The program helped her recognize new possibilities and gave her the confidence to push her business forward with purpose.

Community and Connection

One of the cornerstones of Daphne’s business growth has been networking. She regularly engages with the local business community by attending events hosted by the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce, the Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce, and Accelerate St. Landry.

“What sets my business apart is how attentive I am to my clients,” Daphne explains. “I take time to understand what they want, and I go the extra mile to make sure their trip is exactly what they envisioned.”

Looking to the Future

While Daphne currently operates from home, her five-year plan includes opening a physical location within the city limits of Opelousas. “I want to be more visible in the community,” she says. As she works toward that goal, she also plans to promote her business through flyers and pop-up shop events.

Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Daphne encourages anyone thinking about starting a business in St. Landry Parish to get educated and stay motivated.

“Get the information you need to make your business work. Take classes. Surround yourself with like-minded people who will encourage you to push forward.”
Whether it’s booking cruises, creating custom itineraries, or offering expert travel tips, Daphne White is proving that with the right support—and a lot of heart—passion really can become your profession.

Accelerate St. Landry 2025 Spotlight: Kay’s Trinkets and Things Blends Creativity with Community Connection

In the heart of St. Landry Parish, creativity meets entrepreneurship through Kayla Daugherty, the vibrant owner of Kay’s Trinkets and Things. Since launching her business in 2020, Kayla has been creating one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry and accessories, along with a mobile perfume bar experience that's winning over customers across the country.

A Business Born from Passion—and the Pandemic

Kayla’s business journey began during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. With in-person opportunities limited and income uncertain, she found a way to channel her creativity into something meaningful and sustainable. “St. Landry Parish is home,” Kayla says. “I’ve always been on the lookout for unique things—so people didn’t have to drive all the way to Lafayette.”

That desire to bring uniqueness to her community evolved into a full-fledged business offering customized, handmade jewelry, seasonal gifts, and even a traveling perfume experience. “No two pieces are ever the same,” she explains. “Everything is always different. That’s what sets me apart.”

Making Connections That Matter

For Kayla, the most rewarding part of being a small business owner is building connections. Whether it’s through creating a custom necklace or hosting an intimate event, she thrives on the personal moments with customers. “I love seeing their reactions when they receive something made just for them,” she says.

To strengthen these connections, Kayla maintains a private Facebook group and regularly engages on social media. She’s also shipped her creations to 15 states across the U.S., proving that a homegrown business can have national reach.

Growth Through Accelerate St. Landry

Kayla credits the Accelerate St. Landry 2025 program with helping her see her business from a new perspective. “It really helped me improve how I operate,” she says. “I met a lot of new friends and gained insight into what it really takes to be a small business owner. Seeing what others were doing gave me inspiration.”

Building for the Future

Kayla has ambitious plans for the next five years. She wants to keep growing, keep learning, and eventually hire employees to help expand her offerings. One of her newest ideas? Launching bead-making classes to share her skills and bring the community together.

She’s already testing new event formats. Her recent Mother’s Day Perfume Brunch was a major success, and now she’s planning a Father’s Day Brunch featuring a cologne bar and cigars—a fresh and fun twist on gift-giving experiences.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

When asked what advice she’d give to others looking to start a business in St. Landry Parish, Kayla keeps it simple and powerful:

“Write everything down. Have a plan. And don’t give up.”

Kayla Daugherty is a shining example of how passion, creativity, and community can come together to create a business that not only thrives but also uplifts others in the process. Through Accelerate St. Landry 2025, she’s found both support and sisterhood—and is poised to take Kay’s Trinkets and Things to the next level.