Chamber’s Business Development Committee finds new leader

Published 12:06 am Saturday, June 3, 2017

LAPLACE — Amanda Roussel didn’t intend to end up as a resident of the River Parishes.

The Texas native and her husband, Landon Roussel (who is also from Texas but has strong local ties), were simply visiting relatives in the state when they decided to take the scenic route on River Road.

Spotting what she called “the perfect house,” she announced to her physician husband, “‘Stop. That’s where we’re going to spend the rest of our lives.’

“He thought I was crazy at first. We just wanted a place where we could put down roots and live there.”

Sure enough, Amanda and Landon are building a house in Convent for themselves and their two children and Landon has started a direct primary care medical practice, Communitas Primary Care, in Lutcher.

Roussel didn’t intend to end up as a community business leader, either.

She simply was trying to make connections to help Dr. Landon get up and running in Lutcher.

To help that along, they joined the River Region Chamber of Commerce.

“It was good for us,” Roussel said. “We got a lot of publicity. We did a ribbon cutting. We signed on as an ambassador. I just got more involved going to certain events.”

One day Roussel got a text message from a member who was in a board meeting.

Would she be interested in taking over the Chamber of Commerce’s somewhat dormant Business Development Committee?

“I asked, ‘What do they do?’ Roussel said. “‘What is this?’

“After he outlined it, I said, ‘This is exactly what I want to be doing.’”

The River Region Chamber of Commerce is a network of St. James, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist Parish businesses that offer each other support and resources to help grow the business climate in the area.

Roussel said the Business Development Committee is a group of Chamber members and business people who want to help others by offering advice, promoting sustainable business practices and providing them with all the resources they need to make better relationships with customers, industry and other markets.

That includes continuing education for employers and employees, promoting local businesses through marketing and providing networking opportunities for businesses and employees.

The first thing Roussel will tell a business owner is, “If you’re not already part of the River Region Chamber of Commerce, you should be,” she said.

“Regardless of whether or not you participate, they are the voice of business in the River Region.”

The Business Development Committee wants to help.

The committee, which had become dormant for a time, is inviting local business owners to an open meeting June 9 at the Chamber Office, located at 390 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace.

A networking social will be held from 11 a.m. to noon with lunch to be served at noon.

The meeting, which is normally only for members, is open to anyone seeking information about the Chamber or the Business Development Committee.

There is a $5 entrance fee.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by email to admin@riverregionchamber.org or call the Chamber office at 985-359-9777.

Roussel said the meeting would be beneficial to many local business men and women.

“It’s not just schmoozing,” Roussel said. “If you’re a small business owner and you’re really overwhelmed, there’s a lot of resources they can bring to the table that can ease the burden.”

She especially touts a nationwide business mentoring program that pairs new entrepreneurs with established business owners in the same field who can offer help and advice as they get started and continue to grow.

Roussel, who has a degree in sociology and a Master’s degree in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, has traveled the world with Dr. Landon.

Now she is planting her roots in the River Region with her family.

While Roussel continues to work as the business manager for her husband’s medical practice, she also is continuing to work on other plans for local businesses.

Roussel is developing a network of businesses for a “Go Local” promotion, where shoppers would purchase an incentive card that could be redeemed for perks and discounts at member businesses.

In another promotion, member-to-member deals will allow fellow Chamber members to help each other out with discounts for services and products.

Roussel also is working on a Restaurant Week, in which local dining establishments who join up will offer special menus and discounts.

A Local Tourism Week will promote local attractions to area residents and offer discounted admission prices.

It’s all a work in progress for the newly transplanted young woman with a drive to help others succeed (along with her husband).

“My vision for this is to, one, to have a stronger brand for the Chamber of Commerce and its members so that it means something for business-to-consumer relationships,” Roussel said. “Two, with our go local initiative, that consumers are seeing the benefit of having a Chamber of Commerce themselves.”

For more information about the River Region Chamber of Commerce, visit riverregionchamber.org or call 985-359-9777.