Running Pathos

Entrepreneurship can start in a lot of different ways. Sometimes
it starts with a tiny idea that just grows alongside a community.
Other times, it comes from a personal need—something you realize
just isn’t out there yet, and you decide to build it yourself.


That’s exactly what happened with Abbey Lovett. She’s a mom of
two who saw something missing in the Baton Rouge business scene:
a flexible, supportive workspace built with women in mind.


So, she created Pathos Collective—a space that gives members 24/7
access to: a coworking area, a fitness center, professional
development events, and is even working on bringing in in-house
childcare.


Since launching in November 2024, Pathos has hosted multiple
sold-out events and has already grown to over 30 members.


Some entrepreneurs start by spotting a gap in the market and
figuring out how to fill it. 


Others follow a passion that ends up turning into something much
bigger. Jenni Peters is definitely in that second group. She fell
in love with running back in grad school, and that passion
eventually led her to open Varsity Sports, a specialty running
store in Baton Rouge. 


What started as a shop for serious runners has grown into a
welcoming hub for the whole fitness community—offering everything
from shoes and gait analysis to group runs for people at all
levels.


Now with locations in Baton Rouge, Mandeville, and New Orleans,
Jenni hasn’t just built a business—she’s built a community.


At the core of any great business is the ability to really
connect with people. Whether it’s through a product, a service,
or just creating a space where folks feel seen and
supported—those connections are what make businesses thrive.


And that’s definitely true for both Abbey and Jenni's businesses:
they've both built something that goes way beyond business.


Whether it’s a coworking space or a running store, when you
create a sense of belonging, you’re building something that
lasts.


Out to Lunch is recorded live over lunch at Mansurs on the
Boulevard. You can find photos from this show by Ian Ledo
and Miranda Albarez at itsbatonrouge.la.


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.