University Alumni Compete in LSU 100

LSU – Daily Reveille – April 28, 2013

University Alumni Compete in LSU 100

University alumni that run or lead successful and growing businesses were recognized at the Third Annual LSU 100: Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses Awards Luncheon on Friday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge.

Businesses submitted financial information to Postlethwaite & Netterville, an independent accounting firm for the LSU 100 that compiled the data and ranked the businesses based on growth from 2009 to 2011, said director of the LSU 100 and Director of Development at the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute Lisa O’Beirne.

Cordina New Orleans Cocktails, a New Orleans-based company that sells pre-mixed cocktails in retail stores, took the No. 1 spot on the list this year, said co-founder of Cordina Craig Cordes.

The LSU 100 is hosted by the University Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, and it celebrates the success of the businesses in the spirit of entrepreneurship at the University, O’Beirne said.

According to O’Beirne, businesses that participate in the LSU 100 vary from engineering backgrounds to art and design.

“This is arguably the largest non-athletic event that impacts every college on campus,” she said.

Aside from recognizing the alumni-run businesses, O’Beirne said the LSU 100 also allows students and future entrepreneurs to learn from the successes of the participants.

Cordes said when he entered his business into the LSU 100 he thought a top 60 finish was attainable but didn’t expect to get first.

“It was actually pretty humbling — there were a lot of big names on [the list],” he said.

Cordes said running a business isn’t like your typical 9-to-5 desk job, and every day has a new issue that needs to be resolved. It’s that reason that made winning first place in the LSU 100 validate all the hard work and effort he has put in over the years, he said.

Cordes said he will participate in the LSU 100 again next year and expects Cordina to perform well. Cordina recently began shipping products internationally, and Cordes said he expects the business to continue to grow at a fast rate as a result.

O’Beirne said businesses will be able to register for the next LSU 100 beginning Oct. 1, 2014, and the top 100 will be revealed that same month.

Contact

Dan Forman
1-800-392-9186
info@addictiondoctor.org