Earlier this week, a pinch-me moment that felt like a culmination of years of hard work and unwavering faith. For the first time, you can now find a little piece of Sweet Baton Rouge® before you even leave the Capital City! Our merchandise has officially landed upstairs at the CNBC News store inside the Baton Rouge Airport (BTR). And to top it off, we even spotted a lovely customer proudly repping her SBR gear as she headed home to Charleston – a little piece of Louisiana traveling beyond our borders!
This milestone isn't just about another retail location; it's a testament to a journey guided by something much bigger than myself. Looking back, I'm humbled by the way God has orchestrated so much in my life, especially in the past few years. I vividly remember a quiet night in May of 2022 when a gentle prompting nudged me to step away from certain paths. It led to some incredibly difficult personal and professional decisions, a period of uncertainty that ultimately led to a profound surrender in December of that same year. I laid it all down, trusting in a plan far greater than my own.
What followed has felt like a series of beautifully orchestrated blessings:
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The Move to Perkins Rowe (November 2023): Despite having a lease at our previous location until July of this year, a divine intervention paved the way for our relocation to the vibrant Perkins Rowe in November 2023. I still remember the day our priest blessed the new space, a moment filled with hope that our store would not only thrive but also be a source of blessing for every customer and employee who walked through our doors.
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The Origin Hotel Partnership (Launched January 2024): In July of 2023, I received an unexpected call from the Origin Hotel Marketing team. They had scouted Sweet Baton Rouge® back in October of 2022 and wanted our brand to be the face of their merchandise in their hotel lobby! Launching that satellite location in January of 2024 felt surreal, another door opened in the most unexpected way.
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Taking Flight at BTR (April 2025): And then there's the airport. Years ago, I had reached out, emailed, and called the Baton Rouge Metro Airport team, hoping to find a way to showcase Sweet Baton Rouge® to travelers. At that time, we were not a great fit. Looking back, I can honestly say that perhaps the timing wasn't right then. But God's timing is always perfect. Earlier this year, I began working with the dedicated team at BTR, and as of this week, that dream has become a reality. Sweet Baton Rouge® now has a presence in the Baton Rouge Airport located in the CNBC News Store upstairs.
I share this not to boast, but as a testament to the power of perseverance and faith, I have shared in many accounts over my years being the founder of a business I've built from scratch with $500. As a small business owner who has poured nearly 15 years of heart and soul into this dream, I want to encourage anyone out there with a desire placed on their heart: keep geauxing. Keep putting in the hard work. Trust in the journey. He truly does open doors in the most remarkable and unexpected ways.
Last year brought significant growth in a lot of way to Sweet Baton Rouge®, and I'm filled with anticipation for what this year holds. There's a deep desire within me for even greater things, and I'm having faith we might just get there.
As a small-town girl from Louisiana, the accomplishments I've witnessed sometimes leave me in awe. I never envisioned my life unfolding exactly as it has. My younger self would be bursting with pride for the 45-year-old woman I am today and the work I've poured into building Sweet Baton Rouge®. Even as a child, I approached every task, sport I played with hard work, pure dedication and a smile, and I'm incredibly grateful that those core values haven't changed.
So, the next time you're catching a flight out of Baton Rouge, be sure to stop by the CNBC News store upstairs and grab a little piece of Sweet Baton Rouge® to take with you. It's a dream come true, and I can't wait to see where this new adventure takes us. Thank you for being a part of the Sweet Baton Rouge® story!
