Business Person of the Month: Dean Harrison

Dean Harrison’s company, hSoft Consulting, LLC, has been providing computer services to Baton Rouge businesses and individuals for fifteen years and the Perkins Computer Center is its new home.  The new location offers convenient computer services in the thriving Garden District/CityPark neighborhood.  “It’s a very exciting time for us, “says owner Dean Harrison.  “We’re thrilled about the new location.”

Services offered at the Perkins Computer Center include onsite and offsite home computer service, as well as business services like network and server administration, software development and web-based programming, website and email hosting, and website construction.

Harrison defines his business as service to the customer.  As a business network systems designer, he builds computer networks to fit the customer’s needs and wants.  As a home computer technician, he’s the family computer doctor.   Business at the Perkins Computer Center is 50% walk-in and 50% off site and Harrison credits his growth to “word of mouth” advertising. Read More….

Business Person of the Month: Keith O’ Connor

Super Cool Fashions, a one-stop-shop for men’s wear, can outfit a man from head to toe with everything he needs. Suits and men’s leisure sets are available in a full range of sizes from 36 through 60, and boys’ suits come as small as toddler size.

With suits in an array of colors and cuts, owner Keith O’Connor can help coordinate a look with matching or contrasting shirts, ties, belts, socks, shoes, and hats as well as cufflinks, tie tacks and other accessories. He has three employees and offers expert tailoring. The shop carries the basics as well as the newest offerings of the ever-changing fashion industry. “My vision was for a men’s store that took fashion to a new level.” Read More….

Morningstar Investment Research Database

Have you taken a look at our database Morningstar? Morningstar has data on stocks, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, industries and their histories. They provide ratings and advice. With such a great depth of information to be found it is a great tool for investors of all levels to make informed decisions.

Morningstar not only contains valuable financial data, but also education resources. The investing classroom section of the database has numerous tutorials on different investment subjects and for different knowledge levels so there is something for the novice up to the experienced.

There will be  live web training on Wednesday, September 30th, 3pm Central Time. E-mail librarytraining@morningstar.com to register. (Please mention East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library.)

Morningstar can be accessed through our online databases page. (You will need to enter your library card number if outside the library).

Farmers Markets

Farmers Markets are great places to get the freshest local produce and to keep your money in the community. Here we have the Red Stick Farmer’s Market downtown on Saturday mornings from 8:00-noon, and Tuesdays on Goodwood Blvd. (See site for details)

Farmers Market Search

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) hosts a database of Farmers Market locations throughout the country. So now when you find yourself traveling or staying in a different town or city, you can find information about markets and sample the delicious local produce!

Business Person of the Month: Rosalind Thomas

Rosalind Thomas thinks most people should be able to find their style at her clothing store, Roxxanne’s. With attire for all occasions, Roxxanne’s can satisfy the need for something skimpy and sexy; no-nonsense business attire; elegant formalwear; or that fashion staple, blue jeans.  At the moment current brand name clothing dominates, but Thomas wants to acquire more of the retro and vintage items (often with original store tags on them.) Her vision is for the shop to be half modern fashion, half vintage. Though she caters mostly to women, Roxxanne’s does have some men’s fashion.

Thomas has been in the clothing business off and on for over 30 years. Her first foray into small business ownership was a booth called Rags to Riches in the flea market on Florida Boulevard.  Then she opened a store named The Real Roxxanne, which lasted about eight years and grew to two locations–downtown as well as on Highland Road near the LSU campus.   People continue to call her Roxxanne (often prefaced by the words “the real”) so she stuck with that name for her newest business. Read More…