Small and Minority Business Services
BusinessAssistance
Diverse small-business ownership is essential to our region’s economic success. One Acadiana is committed to increasing Acadiana’s competitive advantage by supporting the growth of small and minority-owned businesses.
To learn more, Contact
Rebecca V. Shirley
Director, Business Retention & Expansion
337.408.3671
One Acadiana’s Lafayette Chamber Affairs program offers one-on-one counseling, direct services, and referrals to provide owners of small and minority-owned businesses the assistance needed to start, manage, and grow their enterprise.
One Acadiana offers the following business services, free of charge:
Business Formation and Registration
One Acadiana provides:
- Information on navigating the state’s business registration process for new businesses
- Assistance with developing operating and partnership agreements
Small & Minority Business Development Profile: Kelsey Sanders - Eat Fuel Fleurish

Small & Minority Business Development Profile: Lottie Francis - Malmak Cleaning Services
Small & Minority Business Development Profile: Zachary Mathiew - Flash MMA
Our referral partners include:
- CPAs and accounting firms for sales and employment tax account setup and bookkeeping
- Legal professionals for further assistance with partnership agreements, contracts, patents, and trademarks
Business Plans and Models
One Acadiana provides:
- Guidance on developing business plans using Small Business Administration (SBA) standards
Our referral partners include:
- Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) for revisions to business plans
- Opportunity Machine (OM) for help with structuring the appropriate business model
These services are available for all businesses that qualify as small, women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned businesses. Not sure if you qualify? Contact us to find out.
Certifications & Government Contract Assistance
One Acadiana provides:
- Assistance with obtaining various certifications, including:
- DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
- MBE (Minority Business Enterprise)
- Small & Emerging Business Certification
- Hudson Initiative
- Assistance in creating Statements of Capability and other documentation needed to obtain procurement opportunities
Already running a growing or mature business? Learn more about One Acadiana's Business Retention and Expansion Services.
Learn MoreOur referral partners include:
- Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (LAPTAC) for further technical assistance with government contracting
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