Shreveport Chamber recognizes success at awards ceremony

The Business Development Connection of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce recently honored professionals individuals with 2014 Minority Business Opportunity Awards. These recipients were honored for their professionalism and contributions to the community for being outstanding in all manner of business, ethics and various talents.

The dinner, “Reflections on Success,” was held April 24 at the Shreveport Convention Center, where the awards were handed out. The 2014 award recipients were: • Top Business Professional of the Year: Ken Latin, Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center; • Emerging Business of the Year: TapSnap, Lesley Duke; • Small Business Owner of the Year: Karen P. Johnson, FocalPoint Coaching of Louisiana; and • Lifetime Achievement Award: J. Anthony Grant, Brookshire’s Grocery Company.

Lesley Duke, who is new to the business community, was very grateful for the win with her company, TapSnap. “Winning the Emerging Business of the Year Award was exciting because it confirms my hard work, dedication and determination to bring a new innovative form of entertainment or phototainment to the Shreveport-Bossier area,” Duke said. “Owning and operating a business is a completely new career for me but thankfully I have support from the Tapsnap Franchise.”

She is also supported by her husband, children and network of family and friends. “Without all of them, I might have thrown in the towel after I was told that I wasn’t a good business person,” Duke said. “After many prayers, I trusted God to see me through the door He opened for me.”

Karen P. Johnson, a Brian Tracy certified business coach and sales trainer, was recognized as the Small Business Owner of the Year. “I was honored to have won this award,” Johnson said.

Johnson and her husband moved to Shreveport five years ago when he was transferred by his job. “I took that opportunity to rethink what I wanted to do with the years that remained in my career,” Johnson said. “I searched for ‘that thing’ that would propel me out of bed in the morning, looking for ‘that thing’ that would let me know that what I was doing was important and would have a positive impact on others. I rediscovered Business Coaching in March of 2011 and knew without a doubt that I had found ‘that thing!’ This award tells me that the people I have reached in this community agree ‘that thing’ is important and I so thrilled.”

Duke said the awards are great for the community and its morale.

“The awards are a wonderful recognition award to the individual as well as the business,” Duke said. “This type of award brings awareness to the Shreveport-Bossier community that new businesses are here and ready to serve the area.”

Johnson said she couldn’t agree more. “I read recently that roughly 30 percent of small businesses are owned by women,” Johnson said. “Since women purportedly make up 50 percent if the population, we have some work to do.”

As of 2013, estimates prove there are over 8.6 million womenowned businesses in the United States. “Historically women have been at a disadvantage in starting businesses,” Johnson said. “Old attitudes and assumptions may be affecting the women who are thinking of making that leap into business ownerships. This award tells these women in our community that Shreveport is watching and supporting you, so go make it happen.”

One of the biggest awards of the night went to J. Anthony Grant, who has been store director for 31 years with Brookshire’s. Grant was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized as having made a difference in the community that I serve,” Grant said.

Grant has a total of 33 years in the grocery industry. “I think the awards event was certainly done in a spirit of excellence. It is wonderful to recognize those who have achieved a level of success in spite of beginning as and being in the minority,” Grant said.

Grant said the 2014 Minority Business Opportunity Awards benefit the community in many ways. “The awards allow others to see a model,” Grant said. “A lot of times we get a message, but it’s hard to achieve when you do not see the model.”

Grant hopes to continue to challenge himself to live up to the award’s criteria. “I also want to open doors of opportunities for others,” he said. “I would tell other minority professionals that the sky is the limit. People are paying attention and will reward you for your efforts.”

– Betsy St. Amant

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Find more photos from the business awards event on Page 19.