Meet the 2025 Cohort

• Blessed Bayou Candles
• Ethan’s Closet Children’s Boutique
• Folse Alarm Fire Co.
• Harness-3D
• Sophisto, LLC

Blessed Bayou Candles

Sherri Utley and Mary Alvarez, founders of Blessed Bayou Candles, launched their business in January 2025 with a mission to bring warmth and joy through unique, hyper-realistic bakery candles and wax melts. Their handcrafted products fill homes with delightful scents and evoke nostalgic memories, creating a comforting atmosphere. Blessed Bayou Candles is women-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and Hispanic-owned, reflecting their commitment to community and positivity. Sherri, a retired U.S. Marine Corps civilian employee and former U.S. Navy service member, and Mary, a 4th-generation Mexican American, combine their backgrounds and entrepreneurial spirit to create meaningful, quality products.

Ethan’s Closet Children’s Boutique

Toya Nash founded Ethan’s Closet Children’s Boutique in 2011, turning a mother’s vision into a thriving brand. What started as an upscale consignment shop from her son Ethan’s closet has become a premier destination for high-quality children’s fashion, offering apparel, expert shoe fittings, monogramming, and personalized styling. With more than a decade in the industry, Toya has built a trusted brand committed to style and quality. Beyond business, Toya is a mentor, providing hands-on experience to students and raising over $14,000 through fashion shows for causes like March of Dimes and A Child’s Wish Foundation. A devoted wife, mother of four, and black female entrepreneur, Toya continues to lead with faith, innovation, and a passion for empowering others. She proves that stepping out on faith leads to growth, impact, and success.

Folse Alarm Fire Co.

As founder of Folse Alarm Fire Co., Bart Lenore Folse in 2022 set out to create delicious, innovative, and bold expressions of hot sauce. After a lifetime spent in kitchens, Bart decided to experiment with making a better Louisiana-style hot sauce. Only six weeks after creating his first batch, Folse Alarm Fire Co. was born. Through months of tinkering and experimenting, Folse Alarm found its winning formula and launched its flagship product — Potch's Pepper Sauce. This original sauce is a tribute to Bart’s grandfather, Felix “Potch” Folse. In 2024, Folse Alarm Fire Co. participated in the Bayou Region Small Business Pitch Competition. With a combination of hard work and a little luck, the company won the competition, and scaled production. Its next goal is to expand beyond its current reach in Acadiana and the Bayou Region, with plans to bring its products across the Gulf South and beyond.

Harness-3D

Greyson and Kristiane Harness are the co-owners of Harness-3D, a Baton Rouge-based 3D printing and design company. Their journey together began at the University of Utah, where Greyson earned degrees in English and Political Science, and Kristiane earned degrees in English and Religious Studies. Greyson is the technical force behind Harness-3D. His passion for 3D printing and design, combined with his love for innovation, has led him and Kristiane to explore the endless possibilities these technologies offer. Together, they’re excited to show others how on-demand 3D printing can benefit both their personal and professional lives.

Sophisto, LLC

As CEO of Sophisto, LLC, an online women’s clothing boutique curated for the trendy, sophisticated career woman, Calla Green has combined her love for fashion and education to create a business that empowers women to be the best version of themselves. With 18 years of experience as an educator, she now helps clients build chic, functional wardrobes that ensure they look polished from morning meetings to evening events. Passionate about empowering career-driven women to feel both confident and stylish, Calla is committed to providing quality products and services while making a lasting impact in her community. Originally from Waterproof, Louisiana, Calla is a proud HBCU graduate of Alcorn State University and now resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.