As a marketing major at Louisiana State University, Elizabeth Ragusa Doiron learned many of the fundamentals of the profession. But that would pale in comparison to seeing professional marketers plying their craft—in her case, it was Sharp’s Bob Madaio who impressed upon her the value of being relatable. And funny.
While she’d been trained on the basics such as color analysis and catchy phrasing, Madaio—the vice president of marketing for Sharp—and his Gen Z video opened her eyes to how creativity and a sense of humor can open a font of endless ideas. Now, Doiron knows she can use a lighthearted tone to deliver effective messages for her family business, Applied Business Concepts (ABC).
“This video made me realize that you can have fun with this industry,” said Doiron, a 2025 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “Not every post has to be so serious and stuffy. It ultimately made me realize that this was the way to get post interactions, which then inherently boosted our page.”
Positive outcomes are Doiron’s greatest motivators. Whether it’s a new deal or a new customer, she loves to see the fruits of a team effort ripen. Doiron also loves to lend a hand wherever possible; she helped the warehouse team reorganize and develop a new strategy for inventory management.
“It’s the small things in business that drive me,” she said. “If all those small behind the scenes things are done well, the rest seems to fall in place.”
One of Doiron’s biggest professional bullies may well be herself. She self-polices her performance and is always looking for corrective measures to not repeat mistakes.
“I constantly want to learn from my peers because I know that I don’t know everything,” she said. “I think my eagerness to learn and my own criticism is what helps me to better understand the next steps for ABC’s growth.”
Doiron was a high school senior in 2014 when she joined ABC, having worked for multiple businesses beforehand as a prerequisite to joining the family business—a time-tested tradition. She then studied marketing with a focus in professional sales at Louisiana State University. The plan was to get into sales at ABC upon graduating, but her workforce entry coincided with the pandemic—not an optimal time to cut one’s teeth. When the marketing position at ABC came available, Doiron pounced on it, but she’s active in logistics and assisting sales.
While her father (Jeff) and grandfather (Ben) were undeniable influences in helping her learn the ropes in the family business, some of the industry’s most prolific female personalities have been an inspiration to her in a male-dominated industry. From Jenna Stramaglio to Carol Cannata, and Adrienne Bastinelli to Hannah O’Donnell, Doiron is eternally grateful for the time she’s spent with them and the wisdom they’ve imparted.
Perhaps her most memorable moment from 2024 was helping coordinate the installation of 50-plus units at a state prison. Doiron handled the logistics for the shipment and IT, plus the removal of existing equipment, and credits her ABC team for spearheading the major project. They were able to safely and efficiently complete the project while dealing with the security protocols and mandatory police escorts.
Moving forward, Doiron hopes to channel more of her energies into marketing. “I know that sounds silly coming from the marketing director, but with all the things going on at ABC, I haven’t invested the necessary time to really boost our presence,” she noted.
She believes the best way to build upon her professional craft is to glean more perspective from all of the people she’s credited with shaping her along the way. Otherwise, Doiron would be passing up a golden opportunity to elevate her game.
“Everyone I’ve mentioned wants to succeed and see others succeed,” Doiron added. “If I’m not using all resources available, what am I doing?”
There’s nothing Doiron loves more than spending time in her mini homestead in the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with her husband, Kevin. The newlyweds were high school sweethearts. His family has a lake house in Pierre Part, and her family owns another a mere five miles down the road. The families love to go boating and visiting local bars on the river. The happy couple’s extended family includes a springer spaniel, two cats, five quail and hundreds of bees (she’s a beekeeper). Once August rolls around, it’s time for them to attend LSU football games.
