Chamber Announces Small Business Award Winners for 2024

The West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the winners of the 2024 Small Business Awards presented by Entergy Louisiana.
Nominations were accepted from Chamber members in the following categories:  Emerging Entrepreneur, Small Business, Female Champion, Community Champion and the Silver Plus Award.  And the winners are:
 
Emerging Entrepreneur – Chris Lewis, Coney Island Connection West Monroe! 
This year’s winner is not only a successful small business owner serving up family favorites, but also a guiding light for aspiring entrepreneurs, generously sharing insights and support. Their mentorship extends beyond business, instilling resilience, and innovation in the next generation.
 
As a philanthropist, this year’s winner is deeply committed to community welfare, organizing food drives, supporting education, and championing charitable causes. 
 
As a member and King of the 2023 Krewe de Riviere, this year’s winner has been involved as a role model for youth and has redefined giving back to the community you serve.
 
We are proud to recognize the compassionate spirit, and unwavering community commitment that is a hallmark for the Entrepreneur Award - simply inspiring us all to aim higher and give back. We are proud to present the 2024 Entrepreneur Award to Chris Lewis, Coney Island Connection West Monroe.
 
Congratulations Chris!
 
Small Business – Frost Trailer
This year’s small business award winner is a multigenerational business that has served our community since 1935. For 4 generations, this award winner has involved family members to serve their customers and lived by the Golden Rule above all else. From truck and tailers to safety and service this member brings customer satisfaction to level unlike anyone else we know. Their commitment to stand behind their products, partner with community members, and always promote honesty and integrity, is a model for all businesses. 

One review from their customers reads “This family has stayed in business longer than most – but it’s because of their honesty, product knowledge, and treating people right that we as customers return time and again… We would not think of buying anywhere else.”  We should all be so fortunate to have this year’s winner’s legacy in the community. 
 
Congratulations Frost Trailer!
 
Female Champion – Two Winners for 2024: Dr. Keri Cataldo-Rogers and Sharon Pleasant

Dr. Keri:
Our first champion might not be from West Monroe, but she is true Louisiana. Since moving here, she has provided compassionate care for her neighbors and friends in their worse moments. From long hours serving the community to a timeless compassion for those in need – this female champion is a role model, mentor, and true neighbor.
Beyond her clinical practice, this year’s winner is a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of women. Her leadership and mentorship inspire others to pursue their passions fearlessly follow your passion.
This Chamber member’s impact extends beyond the clinic walls, as she actively engages in community outreach and education initiatives. Through her advocacy and outreach efforts, she has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless animals and their human companions.  It is our honor to present our first 2024 female champion to Dr. Keri Cataldo -Rogers – Neighborhood Vet.
 
Sharon Pleasant:
Compassion and true dedication to those that would otherwise be overlooked is in this winner’s soul.
Today we honor a woman who, through her tireless efforts and compassionate support, has provided a lifeline to those in desperate need, offering sanctuary, empowerment, and a path to a brighter future. In a world where such darkness can often seem insurmountable, this champion stands as a shining example of courage, compassion, and resilience.
Founding a non profit in her own home to strategically help the growing numbers of victims of domestic minor sex trafficking our winner believes this issue must be actively addressed and has become a model of what is possible. In fact her home – Louisiana Love – has become the prototype highlighted by the Department of Children and Family Services. She is truly a champion among champion – a tireless and humble hero to the young ladies she fosters. It is our honor today to recognize our 2^nd Female Champion  Congratulations - Sharron Pleasant, Louisiana Love Home For Children. 
 
 
Congratulations to both our 2024 Winners!
 
Community Champion – Karen Laban; Spice and Tea Exchange West Monroe

Our community is a better place because of this community champion. 
Through tireless dedication and unwavering commitment, our 2024 winner has become the definition of dedicated while engaging others to join in their efforts. Their selfless actions have made long lasting imprints, embodying the true spirit of community service and making West Monroe a better place to live, work and shop.
Instrumental in major renovations and fundraising, expanded and new cultural events, and tirelessly campaigning for new infrastructure, it is clear that Downtown West Monroe’s history has been forever changed by her work. From the boards she serves on to her own business our 2024 winner brings a special blend of skills and dare we say spice?. 

It is our honor to recognize the 2024 Community Champion – Karen Laban – Owner of the Spice and Tea Exchange in Downtown West Monroe.
 
Congratulations Karen! 
 
Silver Plus Award – Mulhearn Funeral Home and Flower Shop

Our final award today recognizes a business that has served the community for over 25 years. This year’s winner has served our community with integrity and passion in times of need for over 90 years across 6 generations. Through decades of dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment, our 2024 winners have woven themselves into the very fabric of our community, becoming synonymous with reliability, quality, and community spirit.
This year’s winner represents one of the oldest family businesses in our community and their unwavering dedication to providing solace and support during life's most challenging moments is truly commendable. Through seamless integration of compassionate services and the artistry of floral arrangements, you have elevated the experience of saying farewell to our loved ones, ensuring that each goodbye is a beautiful tribute to their memory. 
It is our honor to recognize Mulhearn Funeral Home and Flower Shop as our 2024 Silver Plus Award winner!
 
Congratulations – Mulhearn Funeral Home and Flower Shop
 
About the Awards:
“With an outstanding group of nominations, totaling over 50 nominations across the categories we are prouder than ever to present this year’s Small Business Awards! As you look at these winners’ names you will see a community that is actively invested in building a brighter, diverse, and prosperous future! Today we are honored to recognize long term achievement, community investment, and true entrepreneurship that only occurs in an environment where neighbors care, where leaders look to the future, and where public and private partnership reach for common goals.” Said Kristopher Kelley, Executive Director of the WMWO Chamber “Today – we celebrate the bright lights of our community. Today – we highlight not just members, but role models for our community. These nominees are the West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber – and we are stronger than ever because of them.”
 
These awards are possible with the support of these generous title sponsors Entergy Louisiana and presenting sponsors: AMCOR, Origin Bank, Johnny’s Pizza, Graphic Packaging, Paramount Healthcare Consultants, Centric Federal Credit Union, CINTAS, Louisiana National Bank, Lazenby and Associates, and Moxey.
 
The mission of the West Monroe/West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce is to enhance economic growth in the WM/WO and surrounding areas by focusing on education, promotion, and development of the business community, and those areas of the community affecting business. Find out more at westmonroechamber.org or call 318.325.1961.
 
To learn more, visit the West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce website, westmonroechamber.org or email kkelley@westmonroechamber.org.
 
 
Chris Lewis with 2024 Chairman Brandon Welch


Kristopher Kelley, Daniel Rogers, Dr. Keri Cataldo-Rogers, with 2024 WMWO Chairman Brandon Welch




Sharon Pleasant and Chris Pleasant




Karen Laban, Spice and Tea WM, with 2024 WMWO Chairman Brandon Welch




 
Kristopher Kelley, Liz Moore, Frost Trailer with 2024 WMWO Chairman Brandon Welch




Mulhearn Funeral Home and Flowers Team with 2024 WMWO Chairman Brandon Welch