Gonzales, LA –  "What will you do to keep our wealth of talent here?" challenged Bayou Region native Carol Pierce directly to then gubernatorial candidates Kathleen Blanco and Bobby Jindal when they were campaigning for public office and then to private and public sector leaders gathered for the release of the LA Speaks Regional Implementation Plan at a recent Bayou Industrial Group meeting. 

     Pierce asked that very same question to a Thibodaux coffee shop owner later that afternoon and asks herself that same question every day, as well as every person she has a chance to challenge.

     The governor and legislature now recognize the cultural economy as a key to keeping our most talented people in Louisiana. Despite the current controversy, the film and music industry tax credits continue making Louisiana one of the continent's leaders in attracting an industry which employs many talented citizens who previously felt forced to move out of state to get paid to do what they love to do.

     Bayou Industrial Group has just awarded a Nicholls State University scholarship to an area student who may otherwise have been unable to even afford to attend college.  BIG's scholarship program has also been expanded to annually fund a scholarship to a deserving student attending Lafourche Technical College and another to a student attending Fletcher Community College.

    What about Gayle Feibel of B E Bistro who is a native of another state and became so excited when Pierce shared the LA Speaks Regional Implementation Plan with her that May afternoon?

    Lafourche Parish's outstanding artist Susan Hoffman is one of the many regional artists whose work is now on display at B E Bistro in Thibodaux.  This past weekend, B E Bistro opened its doors for a free program featuring a local Cajun band and plans to feature local musical groups on a regular basis.

    Former Terrebonne Parish resident Success Coach Carol Pierce has been invited to make a guest appearance from 7-8 pm on Thursday, June 21 to kickoff  B E Bistro's Meet the Author series, a free monthly event featuring Louisiana authors. 

    Pierce's discussion will center on her book Jump Now, Look Later:  New Ways to Beat Your Fears and how the very guidelines she shares in her Jump Now book helped her gain the courage to remain in Louisiana to get paid to do what she loves to do instead of accepting a lucrative position in Denver with an international firm.

    That same Jump Now philosophy is what Pierce teaches and encourages her Success Now clients to apply so they can determine what they really would like to do with their lives and discover how to remain in Louisiana to pursue those true passions. 

    Pierce, who is also the author of Wanna Self-Publish, devotes a segment of her business to working with authors who want to turn their ideas into a published book and encourages those clients to utilize Louisiana resources for the entire process.

     For more details about the free B E Bistro cultural events, contact Gayle Feibel at 985-447-7333. To learn more about BIG, Carol Pierce, or her books, contact Success Now at 225-474-4923 or visit www.jumpnow.com

For more information about the LA Speaks Regional Implementation Plan, visit www.louisianaspeaks.org