Don Lawhorn

Don Lawhorn serves as a Business Consultant with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans. In addition, Mr. Lawhorn is responsible for the business development services for entrepreneurs in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist parishes. He provides consultation for both startup and existing businesses in the capacities of strategic planning, business development, financial evaluation, marketing and a variety of concentrated business components. Mr. Lawhorn’s areas of expertise are inclusive of lending, business development/expansion, intergovernmental affairs, training, program development, strategic planning, developing partnerships and team building.

Mr. Lawhorn is a proud graduate of Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Before his tenure with the LSBDC at XULA, he has served nationally, regionally and locally linking entrepreneurs with diverse procurement opportunities within private sector and government organizations as well as training and outreach. Prior to being a business development consultant, Mr. Lawhorn gained experience as a financial planner, realtor, real estate broker, loan originator, mortgage broker and food and beverage expert. Mr. Lawhorn has worked with entities like NIKE, Caesar’s Entertainment, United Airlines, Entergy, Crescent Crown, Shell, Chevron as well as a host of other corporations.