We’re in an era of the Sharing Economy. Home sharing business Air B’n’B has a capital valuation of over 10 billion dollars. Car sharing business Uber is closer to 20 billion. This mindset finds its way into day-to-day business as well. Ground rules that used to be based on competition are becoming infused with a greater sense of cooperation. On this edition of Out to Lunch, Peter Ricchiuti introduces three local business people who are contributing to spreading wealth rather than merely accumulating it.

Skyra Rideaux is the founder and Chair of the Gulf Coast Young Professionals Leadership Summit. The aim of the organization is to bring  young professionals together with seasoned business and community leaders to give young professionals the tools to become local, regional and national leaders who can make an impact in their community. 

Traditionally, the European capitals of Paris and London, and then New York, were centers of commerce. Today you don’t have to live in a population center to be a power player in business. You can live in Louisiana. And you don’t even have to live in New Orleans or Lafayette.

There’s an association of young professionals in Vermilion Parish, called FUEL Vermilion. Its chairman is Megan Landry Lalande. 

In 1984 a select group of thought leaders got together to discuss Technology, Entertainment and Design, and because of those 3 areas of interest called the get-together TED. Today TED has grown way beyond that first meeting and under the brand name TED-X has spread around the world to become synonymous with the sharing of great ideas. In Lafayette there’s a branch called Ted X Vermilion Street.

TedX Vermilion Street is headed up by Taylor Sloey.  

Photos on this page are taken at Social restaurant on Johnston Street by Gwendolyn Aucoin. 

For more information about Acadiana entrepreneurs – Innov8 Acadiana and The Opportunity Machine.