Twenty in their 20s 2026: Jase Augustus, Thomas Kadair, Samantha Abshire and Tyler Sansone

Jase Augustus, 23

Owner, JCB Media

After playing basketball for Baton Rouge Community College, Augustus launched his social media marketing firm while still a student at LSU. Even with a growing client list, he hasn’t completely left the hardwood behind; he also serves as middle school basketball coach at his alma mater, The Dunham School.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Building something from the ground up and
watching it grow.

How does your faith intertwine with your work?

Faith is everything to me. Without Christ, there is no business. Every opportunity, idea and client is a blessing I don’t take lightly.

How do you define success?

Winning the day. I have big goals, but if I focus too far ahead, I’ll become stagnant. So I focus on daily discipline. If you take care of the inputs, the outcomes eventually take care of themselves.

What’s your next big goal?

To build the go-to social media marketing agency in Baton Rouge. I love this city and I’m committed to staying here and helping it grow into its full potential. I want to showcase everything Baton Rouge has to offer, build city pride, and give young people more reasons to stay and build their future here.

Thomas Kadair, 27

Owner, Kadair Construction

Kadair’s construction accolades keep coming; his firm is a two-year winner of the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge’s Parade of Homes People’s Choice Award, and he has twice been featured in the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Capital Region 500. He also serves as treasurer of the Louisiana Home Builders Association’s Remodelers Council.

What’s your greatest accomplishment so far?

Quitting my day job at 23 to go all-in on my own business was a huge pivot for me. I am very proud of our team and our work since then, growing exponentially each year and bringing home two Parade of Homes wins.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Seeing my clients actually live in and enjoy the spaces we build.

How do you define success?

The pursuit of your own full potential every single day, in every task that you do.

What part of your work do people not see?

People only see the finished product, but they don’t see the mountain of back-end work that happens behind the scenes. There is a ton of both on-site and in-office coordination that has to happen to bring a project to life.

Samantha Abshire, 29

Owner, Rouge House

Abshire turned a passion for the arts and people from a jewelry-making hobby to a Brightside Drive thrift store with space for art vendors. Her commitment to sustainability means she upcycles donations that would otherwise be tossed out, and her heart for helping marginalized community members has led her to lend support to the homeless through donations of overstock.

What’s your greatest accomplishment so far?

Setting up community closets at Neuskin Esthetics on Perkins Road and Pelican Café on Government Street that act as totally free trading posts. I’m looking to expand on this service and find more locations.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Being able to be a creator for a living and having access to a platform and resources to help people in my community.

Why is giving back to the community
important to you?

I value human connection over anything else and believe that we have strength in numbers. Humans are meant to live in solidarity.

Advice for your 18-year-old self?

I’d have to shake her and tell her that empathy is not a weakness and that change is inevitable and necessary.

Tyler Sansone, 29

Co-owner, Essential Safety Partners

After starting in the safety industry as an intern, Sansone co-founded a safety consulting firm serving commercial and industrial clients around the state. A Certified Safety Professional, he regularly mentors young professionals entering the field and recently served on Southeastern Louisiana University’s Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Advisory Council.

What’s your greatest accomplishment so far?

Becoming a husband and father. My wife, Amy, and I recently welcomed our daughter Camille, and that has changed my perspective in the best way.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

The people. I genuinely enjoy getting to know our clients; building those relationships and understanding what matters to them makes the work meaningful.

How do you define success?

Building a business that supports and provides for my family while allowing me to be fully present in their lives.

What’s your personal pep talk?

Pressure is a privilege.

Advice for your 18-year-old self?

Stay disciplined, trust the process, and focus on building
habits that last.