Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kevin Guillory . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kevin , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Since December 2020, I’ve had the opportunity to work at the Louisiana Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Center on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. We are funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and are part of the agency’s University Center (UC) program. The focus of UCs is leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship, resiliency, and inclusiveness.

Our mission is to strengthen and diversify the economy through relationship-based entrepreneurship and economic development programming to build a better Lafayette, a thriving Acadiana, and a stronger Louisiana. This mission is important to me because of the people we work with. Our focus is entrepreneurs and business owners from historically underserved and disinvested areas of the city and rural communities who are not connected to local economic development resources.

Running a business is a difficult undertaking, and many times, business owners feel like they are alone on the journey. I am blessed to be able to walk on the journey with them every day. I constantly remember the people who have walked with me on my journey of life, and my desire is to do that for others. I meet one-on-one with our entrepreneurs, either in our office or at their place of business. Through our conversations, I connect them with resources that can help their businesses grow.

By working at the Louisiana Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Center, I have the privilege to support and empower these entrepreneurs, helping them achieve their dreams and, in turn, fostering a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a city near the Texas border, about two hours east of Houston. After high school, I attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Upon graduation, I moved to Huntsville, Texas, and worked in full-time ministry on the campus of Sam Houston State University. Having ministry as my first job out of college gave me the desire to pursue vocations that have deeper meaning and positively impact the lives of others.

After my time in ministry ended, I had jobs in Human Resources and Logistics before feeling a pull to work at the university. Reflecting on how my life was changed as a college student, I knew that working at a university could allow me to make a difference in the lives of many people. Working at the university also afforded me the opportunity to earn a Master of Business Administration, which I received in December 2017. I worked in Admissions for six and a half years before questioning the next step in my career.

Earning my MBA rekindled my love for business. I remember having lunch with a mentor in 2019. During our conversation, I said, “I want to work at the university, but I also like entrepreneurship and economic development.” I thought these interests were mutually exclusive until I was hired at the LEED Center.

For the past three and a half years, I’ve had the opportunity to do something I love every day. Not only am I working in entrepreneurship and economic development, but I am also able to meet and build relationships with so many great people! Our core mission is taking a head and heart approach to business. We tell our entrepreneurs that we care about them as people just as much as we care about their businesses. My hope is that every interaction I have with them makes them feel that care. That’s what keeps me motivated every day. Regardless of where our entrepreneurs are on their journey, I am grateful to witness their progress, both big and small.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The biggest pivot I’ve ever made in my life was transitioning from working in full-time ministry to the traditional workforce. As a campus minister, I was responsible for raising my own financial support. After two years, the finances were not where they needed to be, and it began to significantly affect my life. When I moved to Texas, I thought I would be in ministry for a long time. Having to leave after two years brought disappointment and a sense of failure.

During that difficult period, I was fortunate to have amazing people who supported me. Eventually, I was hired in the Human Resources department of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. That season showed me that, regardless of title or position, I could have the same positive impact on the lives of others as I did in full-time ministry. It just looked different. Although I was doing something I hadn’t envisioned myself doing a year earlier, I adjusted and adapted. My experience in HR became a launching pad for the rest of my career.

This pivot taught me resilience and flexibility, and reinforced the idea that meaningful work can take many forms. It also prepared me for future opportunities, such as my current role at the Louisiana Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Center, where I continue to make a difference in people’s lives every day.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

There are two books that have significantly impacted my entrepreneurial and business thinking: “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber and “The Power of Broke” by Daymond John.

In “The E-Myth Revisited,” Gerber introduces the concept of the Entrepreneurial Myth, which states that most businesses are not started by true entrepreneurs, but by “technicians.” He uses the example of a bakery owner who loves to bake but doesn’t really know how to run a business efficiently. The part that has really stuck with me is the Three Roles of a Business Owner. These roles are the Technician (who does the work), the Manager (who ensures the work gets done), and the Entrepreneur (who envisions the future of the business). Successful business owners balance these roles. We work with many people who are working in their business and not on their business. This book has helped me understand what a business owner needs to do to be successful.

“The Power of Broke” is one of my favorites because it talks about how you can be successful regardless of the number of resources you have. It includes inspiring stories of successful entrepreneurs who started with nothing. Daymond’s message is that being broke isn’t a disadvantage, but a tool that can drive innovation and determination. The Power of Broke leads to hustle, creativity, resourcefulness, persistence, passion, and valuing every dollar. Many of the people we work with don’t have many traditional resources, but we help them see the resources they do have and how to take advantage of them.