Lafayette enjoys a wildcatter mentality, which makes it an inviting place for entrepreneurs. In this episode of Discover Lafayette, Jan Swift interviews Tom Cox, whose own entrepreneurial days in Lafayette started back in 1995.

As founder & CEO of Golfballs.com, Tom launched the first online retail business in Louisiana. From the first year’s sales of $17,000, Golfballs.com has grown to $25mm in annual sales. Tom also co-founded Einstein Digital Media, a web-development firm that grew to be one of the largest in Louisiana prior to sale.

Tom Cox is the volunteer-president of the Opportunity Machine, a business incubator and accelerator based in Lafayette, La that has been home to 30 startups in the last 5 years. He is also active in Lafayette and Acadiana, serving as Vice Chair of the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise and a member of the IberiaBank Lafayette Advisory Board.

Tom is the former Chairman of the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Lafayette Economic Development Authority and was an advocate for entrepreneurship support during his term as commissioner.

Tom Cox is a fan of entrepreneurs and those that aspire to be. Volunteering to assist others, serving as a mentor, lending a kind word of advice to start-up entrepreneurs: Tom Cox definitely contributes to the success of others following their dream of launching their own business.

For more information on Tom Cox and Golfballs.com please visit www.golfballs.com