It is often said, “Don’t let the opinions of those who don’t understand you define your worth.” That is much easier said than done, though. It’s human nature to want to be accepted and liked. We’re all “wired” to connect to and to seek acceptance from others.

Two of the prizes up for grabs each year are the Fashion Prize and the Music Prize. Fashion Prize announced its five designer finalists during a live Facebook broadcast on June 16. The competitors will be judged this month, and the grand prize winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize.

“It got me thinking – life is too short,” Pourteau said. “I knew I needed to do something. The way I was going in life – just working customer service, going to work Monday through Friday, I wasn’t happy.

“March 21 is the day I started working,” Chandler said. “We went to Baton Rouge two or three times and had a one-on-one with the governor. One of the things we discussed was the Jimmie Davis Bridge. We had $24 million already, and he gave us another $100 million.