GET DAILY REPORT FREE
Editor’s Note: Out of respect for the family of Jim Bernhard, this episode has been rescheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26.
In just five years, Grace Design Studios has grown its revenue more than eightfold—evolving from a Baton Rouge-based architecture firm into a global design and delivery powerhouse.
Backed by Bernhard Capital Partners and driven by a multidimensional strategy, Grace has expanded its reach across multiple states and three continents, taking on projects that range from luxury resorts to complex infrastructure developments.
Now, with momentum on its side, Grace is rewriting the playbook for how a Louisiana-born firm scales its vision, operations and talent on a global stage.
On the November episode of Strictly Business, we sit down with Grace CEO Jerry Hebert and Patrick Bernhard, managing director at Bernhard Capital Partners, to explore The Art of Scaling—how companies move from local success to global reach without losing their identity or creative edge.
The conversation dives into:
• How Grace leveraged its architectural roots to expand into interiors, design-build and international development.
• The role of private equity in accelerating growth and unlocking new markets.
• What it takes to scale culture, talent and operations across continents.
• Lessons for C-suite leaders navigating fast growth and transformation.
Under Hebert’s leadership, Grace has become a model of purposeful expansion—balancing creativity with strategy and execution. Bernhard brings the investor’s perspective, sharing what private equity looks for when backing high-growth firms and how capital partnerships can propel innovation.
Join us at 11 a.m. Nov. 26 for a candid conversation about leadership, vision and the discipline required to build something bigger than anyone thought possible.
The Art of Scaling is presented by Baton Rouge Business Report and sponsored by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library and Neighbors Federal Credit Union.
