Louisiana companies are quietly joining a fast-growing national club: businesses generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue. As Business Report writes, more than 5,100 U.S. companies crossed the billion-dollar mark in 2024, up from just 29 in 2013, and at least seven Baton Rouge firms are no w on that list. LSU professors say the leap to $1 billion is less about luck and more about systems. Firms that reach the milestone share three traits: a clear purpose, scalable operations and data-driven decision-making, often powered by early investments in automation and predictive analytics. But the transition is not painless. As companies grow, complexity replaces hustle, forcing leaders to formalize governance, upgrade talent pipelines and rethink culture. Miss the human side of scaling, experts warn, and even technically strong Louisiana companies can stall just when the stakes are highest. Read the full story, and send comments to [email protected]. ...read more read less