Biz Talks: Recent Episodes
Biz New Orleans
One-on-one interviews with Biz New Orleans magazine and local leaders about issues that affect businesses throughout the greater New Orleans region.
On Oct. 16, the Jefferson Performing Arts Center will host the 15th annual Economic and Real Estate Forecast Symposium, a full-day event presented by the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (NOMAR) and its Commercial Investment Division (CID). In this week’s BizTalks, NOMAR Symposium committee member Paul Richard and symposium speaker Michael Sherman offer a sneak peek into where the discussions will go on this year’s theme — “Breaking Ground: The Emergence of a New Economy.” For more information and tickets to the Real Estate Forecast Symposium, visit nolaforecast.org.
A new, free event created by and for young Black women business leaders across Southeast Louisiana is happening on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The event, entitled Power in Our Hands: An Afternoon for Young Black Entrepreneurs, is the latest project from a local nonprofit called Women With a Vision. Program Manager Kennadi Robinson explains how this marketplace/entrepreneur showcase/networking hub is seeking to grow local entrepreneurs ages 13-25 and what that growth could mean for a future economy.
Link to RSVP for Power in Our Hands: An Afternoon for Young Black EntrepreneursPower In Our Hands Eventbrite
That’s the name of the new report just released by independent local research organizationBureau of Governmental Research (BGR). President and CEO Rebecca Mowbray shares the shocking things not required to be included in the budget, why we need to include them, and why now is the perfect time to get it done right.
Link to BGR Candidate Q&A https://www.bgr.org/report-index/candidate-qa-reports-october-11-2025-primary-edition-mayor-city-council-sheriff/
Click here to read a mobile-friendly summary of BGR’s new report, New Orleans Needs a Sustainable Budget to Meet Residents’ Demands, and download the full report .
Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, is coming to town to speak at the New Orleans chapter’s first-ever housing innovation forum, Still Rising, which will be held Thursday, Sept. 18, at Nieux Society.
In this week’s episode, he shares his unique global view on the status of affordable housing, how the organization is getting creative to meet them, and the top things New Orleans can do to mitigate its challenges.
For more information and to purchase tickets to Still Rising: A Forum for Housing Innovation, visit https://habitat-nola.org
This week we talk to a member of the famed musical family the Batistes, Ryan Batiste, about how and why he founded L.O.C.A.L.S. Fest — a festival designed to support the local economy and cultural landscape. The free festival returns for its sixth year at Armstrong Park this Saturday, September 13, from 11 a.m. To 7 p.m.
Formed following Hurricane Katrina with the goal of replacing the 100,000 trees lost in New Orleans, NOLA Tree Project has planted more than 86,000 trees across the city with the help of more than 125,000 volunteers. As the weather cools, Executive Director Connie Uddo explains how local businesses and individuals can join in making a tangible difference in the health and beauty of the city in just a few hours.
Just two years ago, Kevin Pedeaux went from being a vendor at St. Roch Market — one of only two historic city-owned public markets left in the city — to running the market.
In this week’s Biz Talks, he shares some surprising insights about the market and details on a big event coming in September.
Locals and tourists looking to escape the heat and immersive themselves in a world that celebrates the wonder and cultural richness of the city need only travel to 940 Frenchmen St. where JAMNOLA — NOLA’s first experiential pop-up museum — just opened a permanent location in June. This fantastical wonderland showcases the work of more than 100 local artists, but that’s just the beginning, explains co-founder Jonny Liss.
Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) President and CEO Stan Harris joins us on this week’s Biz Talks to share what’s up with the closings we’ve been seeing, what the big issues are right now, what the LRA is doing to help, and why right now is the perfect time to help our favorite spots.
Marking 70 years this year, Louisiana’s only freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital has been celebrating through service. Along with the latest on two of the hospital’s big initiatives, President and CEO Lou Fragoso shares his thoughts on Ochsner’s Children’s Hospital breaking ground while he prepares to take on a big personal adventure on behalf of the kids he serves.
Did you know Louisiana is the top oyster-producing state in America? The big news in oysters is that our state is now home to a new kind of oyster farming that’s resulting in all new flavor profiles — and JEDCO is helping to spread the word about these Grand Isle Jewels. This week on BizTalks, JEDCO President and CEO Jerry Bologna explains why working with oyster farmers in Grand Isle has been one of the most exciting projects ever for JEDCO and shares a few big breaking news items — one coming to Grand Isle and one that will benefit all food entrepreneurs in the region.
On Aug. 4, local hotel industry veteran Jim Cook will officially step in as the new president and CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Cook shares his plans to lead the sixth largest convention center in the country as it looks to break ground on a headquarters hotel next year and finish up the first phase of a $557 million capital improvement plan.
Having trouble getting your dog to and from doggie daycare? Does your pooch need a ride to the groomer, but you’ve got a conflict? Now there’s an app for that. Native New Orleanian Troy Bergeron has parlayed his background in logistics and transportation into a new venture — Doggie Bus. After just over a year in business, the company is already expanding nationally. How does it all work? Bergeron shares all the details on this week’s Biz Talks.
After a little more than 10 years in business, Haptech, Inc. has found its stride — earning millions in military contracts. Founder and CEO Kyle Monti explains his innovative technology, how the video game industry helped get the company where it needed to be, as well as what’s up next and how locals can join his team.
Celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, Lakeside Shopping Center is working hard to stay young — welcoming two new stores, with another on the way. Lakeside’s General Manager Lisa Manzella, and Marketing Director Erin Graham share all the latest news (including what went into hosting 2,000 people for Jefferson Parish’s Bicentennial Ball) and discuss the surprising lessons the mall learned from the pandemic.
BONUS! To see highlights from the Bicentennial Ball click here:https://www.lakesideshopping.com/lakeside_65
On June 9, the announcement went out that Gov. Landry had signed SB 232 into law, officially establishing Act 44 — a major update to the state’s film incentive program. What exactly does this act do and why is the industry excited? Jason Waggenspack, co-founder and CEO of The Ranch Film Studios and president of Film Louisiana, shares his insight.
Flynn Zaiger is the CEO of Online Optimism, a digital marketing agency that has been aiding small businesses in the region for 13 years. In this week’s episode, he shares how his company uses AI, the biggest misunderstandings people have about AI, and his top tips and suggestions for easily using this new technology to enhance your business.
A new “Top 250” study found that 88% of the top 250 conventions in the country will meet in only 20 cities and New Orleans tops the list at number three, behind only San Diego and Orlando. Stephanie Turner, SVP of convention sales and strategies for New Orleans & Co. explains how this industry works, how competition has changed post-Covid and how New Orleans is positioned for the future.
Almost 100,000 people in the Greater New Orleans region suddenly lost power on a perfectly sunny day on Sunday, May 25. Logan Atkinson Burke, executive director of the Alliance for Affordable energy, explains why this shouldn’t have happened, what questions still need to be answered and what changes we all should be pushing for now.
There are a lot of things on the chopping block with President Trump’s big bill, not the least of which is funding for women’s business centers throughout the country. Klassi Duncan, VP of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Urban League of Louisiana — which operates two women’s business centers in the region – explains what this loss would mean to Louisiana and shares the 30-second act you can do now to fight back.
Send a letter to your state representatives by clicking here: https://awbc.org/supportwbcs/
Today, Tuesday, May 20, is Early Care and Education Day at the Capitol, and among those organizations in Baton Rouge today fighting for the importance of funding for this need is the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, which just released some sobering new data on single mothers in the region. UWSELA President and CEO Michael Williamson joins us again on the podcast to share the latest findings, as well as what his organization is doing to fight for the nearly one-third of working Southeast Louisiana households that can’t afford basic necessities.
The opioid epidemic is not just exacerbating our issues with crime, homelessness and public health, it’s also harming our next generation — a warning that local entrepreneur Cammy Livingston is trying to spread by cofounding Generation O: The National Organization for Opioid-Exposed Children, a national nonprofit led by foster/adoptive moms across the U.S. to advocate for kids impacted by the opioid crisis. She explains more about why you haven’t heard about this problem and what her organization is doing now to change that.
On April 29, Louisiana Children's Museum (LCM) announced its receipt of a $2.5 million grant – the largest contribution the museum has received outside of a capital campaign in its almost 40-year history. It will be using the money to expand both its programming and exhibit space to a new audience. Who is this audience and what are they doing? LCM CEO Tifferney White shares the news.
After 10 years running her social impact firm, TCG (Thomas Consulting Group) CEO Michelle Thomas was inspired to make some big changes that resulted in phenomenal growth that placed her at No. 15 on the 2025 Inc. list of fastest-growing private companies in the Southeast. She shares her biggest tips for success on this week’s Biz Talks.
Louisiana needs a population and workforce boost — both of which are being addressed by an organization founded last summer called The Boot. CEO Ben Armstrong explains who is involved and how local employers can get in on the action.
Corporate Realty published the latest (and 13th) version of their Greater New Orleans Annual Office Market Report — which looks at rates and movement within the city’s corporate spaces. To share the highlights of the report’s findings and what they mean for the local economy, we’re joined by Austin Lavin, sales and leasing associate with Corporate Realty.
For 100 years, Try-Me Coffee has been operating out of an unassuming building in the Bywater, supplying some of New Orleans’ most iconic restaurants and cafes. In 2023, it was purchased by a local couple (Lauren “Mermaid” McCabe and Abby King) who are determined to spread the word about their unique, roast to order options — so much so that they’ll hand deliver it right to your door!
Voting is going on this week on four amendments to Louisiana’s constitution. One of those, Amendment 2, would be the biggest change to the state’s constitution since it was adopted in 1974. Sanders Colbert, tax attorney with Stone Pigman law firm, explains a bit about what this amendment would mean for local businesses.
This week we’re starting to get ramped up for the 14th return of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week March 24 - 29. Among many firsts this year will be the first Startup Noir Nola Mini Summit – a free, full-day event focused on celebrating Black entrepreneurs and investors, with a lineup focused on funding, scaling, and breaking barriers to growth. To share more about the Startup Noir Nola initiative, and the mini summit, BizTalks welcomes Salem Habte, workforce and entrepreneurship manager at GNO, Inc., and lead for the Startup Noir initiative.
The Trump administration is pushing for drastic cuts to medical research around the country — a move that was paused by a federal judge last week pending the results of a lawsuit filed by 22 states. What would cuts mean locally?
This week we talked with Patrick Norton, senior VP and COO for Tulane University, who shared what the funding drop would look like for Tulane and what its broader effects would be for our health and economy.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO) was completely full during the four days before the Super Bowl, serving as the media center and as home to the Super Bowl Experience that drew more than 100,000 fans. This week, Linda Baynham, director of sustainability and corporate social responsibility at the convention center, as well as its COO, Adam Straight, share how New Orleans shined in sustainability during and after the big event.
Who decides what Broadway shows we'll have and how does it all work? David Skinner, general manager of the Saenger Theatre, answers this, and many other questions about Broadway and the Saenger. After 50 years spent in the live entertainment business, he also shares stories of the one performer that remains his favorite and why.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, StayLocal, Greater New Orleans’ independent business alliance, is kicking off a fun campaign designed to boost relations between New Orleanians and local businesses, as well as among the businesses themselves. Maryann Miller, StayLocal program manager, shares all the details, including for tonight’s kickoff event.
RSVP to "Love Letters to Local Businesses” in 2025 kickoff event Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at StayLocal, 1239 Baronne St., byclicking here.
After 19 years, there is finally hope for the former Six Flags site in New Orleans East thanks to the tenacity of Bayou Phoenix, led by native New Orleanian Troy Henry. Henry shares why the project is a very personal one for him, where it's at in development, and when we'll start to see new development.
How are businesses and residents feeling in the French Quarter in the wake of the New Year’s terrorist attack? What are the thoughts going into the Super Bowl? How is the French Quarter Management District adapting its efforts? Jane Cooper, chair of the board of commissioners for the French Quarter Management District, shares her thoughts.
Following the horrific events of New Year’s Eve, Editor Kim Singletary chats with Jane Cooper, chair of the board of commissioners for the French Quarter Management District, to learn about the notable role FQMD plays in the Quarter’s security. Cooper also adds clarification to a recent negative CNN article.
This week, editor Kim Singletary shares the year's top executives from around the city, and who grabbed the top spot of CEO of the Year and why.
This week, producer Kelly Massicot interviews host and editor of Biz New Orleans Magazine Kim Singletary about the stories that made headlines in 2024.
From healthcare to banking and Taylor Swift, we've got the Top 10 Stories of the year to round out our 2024 season.
Thanks for listening to Biz Talks.
In the second part of our conversation with Amanda and Isaac Toups, the couple share the latest happenings with their nonprofit, Toups Family Meal, including how they, and a growing legion of volunteers, made Halloween and Thanksgiving a little brighter this year. They also share their plans for the upcoming holidays, how you can get involved, and their plans for a major expansion.
Renowned on the culinary scene, chef Isaac Toups is a four-time finalist for James Beard “Best Chef: South” and co-owner of the award-winning restaurant Toups Meatery with his wife, Amanda Toups. Since the pandemic, however, the duo has also co-founded a nonprofit called Toups Family Meal that is dedicated to remedying food insecurity in New Orleans. To date, TFM has served over 175,000 meals to Orleans Parish residents. In part one of our conversation, the Toups share how this new venture came about and what they’ve accomplished so far.
In the second part of Biz’s conversation with New Orleans Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sandra Lindquist looks at the future of the organization, which includes a can’t miss event on Dec. 12, where the organization will hand out its first-ever award to a local business leader.
As the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce celebrates two decades serving area businesses, President and CEO Sandra Lindquist shares how the chamber has evolved to fit the needs of its 1,300 members and growing — including its move into legislative advocacy. She shares details on the chamber’s biggest wins and groundbreaking events.
Anyone interested in the future of energy in Louisiana is invited to attend a free, three-day event at Tulane’s Uptown campus Nov. 13-15. This week, Biz talks with the executive director of the Tulane Energy Institute and Tulane Center of Energy Law who share what most excites them about the forum, and the state’s future.
In the second part of our conversation with Dr. Sonnier at Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, she shares the organization’s plans for the future, including the conversations they’ve been having, and are continuing to have, with area businesses.
Celebrating 10 years this month, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is an independent source of data and research on early care and education for young children in the state. CEO Libbie Sonnier shares the biggest successes of the past decade – which have put the state in a surprising spot in state rankings nationwide.
When it comes to input on City Park planning, City Park Conservancy President and CEO Rebecca Dietz joins Bobbie Hill, principal of Concordia, share some of the feedback they’ve received, along with when we can expect to see some new additions in the second part of this two-part conversation.
One of the largest urban parks in the country, City Park is one of the city’s brightest jewels. Now halfway through the planning process for the next few decades, City Park Conservancy President and CEO Rebecca Dietz joins Bobbie Hill, principal of Concordia, to discuss how they’re engaging public opinion in new ways in the first part of this two-part conversation.
In the second part of our conversation with Maloz and Trail, we hear about what the Pontchartrain Conservancy is up to and learn more about the status of the lake, along with some of the efforts being made to try and meet the huge need for workforce in coastal restoration.
Simone Maloz, campaign director of the Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coaltion, and Kristi Trail, executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy (a member of the coalition) give Biz Talks an update on the state of our coast and what they're doing, and recommending we do, to save it.
The big game is fast approaching, but there is still time for local businesses and industries to start working on how they're going to capitalize on the worldwide attention the Super Bowl will bring. In the second part of this conversation, members of the Super Bowl Host Committee share what excites them most about the opportunities.
With the Super Bowl coming to New Orleans in less than five months, the pressure is on for the Super Bowl Host Committee to make sure the welcome mat is rolled out. This week, we chat with the stars of Biz New Orleans' September issue, who are all playing crucial positions in making sure the region takes home a big win.
Evan Canzoneri the safety services consultant for LWCC, a private, nonprofit mutual insurance company and the largest workers’ compensation carrier in Louisiana, has spent a decade in risk management and prevention working with businesses across Louisiana.
In this week’s podcast, he shares the best practices and tips he advises to keep you and your company from unnecessary harm.
Link to step-by-step storm prep guide: https://www.lwcc.com/hurricane-preparedness
Link to free safety resource library: https://www.lwcc.com/resource-category/safety
A premium whiskey or rum takes a few years to reach peak quality, and the same may be true for a distillery itself. On today’s episode, Old Alker Distillery owner Kevin Alker talks about the six years he spent bringing his new venture to the marketplace. Old Alker celebrates its grand opening on Aug. 2 and 3 at 8304 Oak St. Ryan Guillory, Old Alker’s head bartender and mixologist, joins the conversation to provide some Oak Street history and to detail some of the new cocktail creations he’s created using Old Alker products.
A member of the Biz New Orleans New & Notables class of 2024, Dr. Christopher Lege became the official CEO of Touro in April. A 20-year primary care physician at Touro prior to this appointment, Lege talks about his move into the realm of hospital administration at a time when Touro is recovering from the pandemic and focusing in on new programs for the fastest-growing demographic in the region.
In April, a wind turbine and its components arrived in Louisiana after a transatlantic journey from Ireland. Gulf Wind Technology is preparing the onshore turbine for installation at the Port Fourchon Coastal Wetlands Park. Initial deployment and testing of the equipment is slated to begin late this year. GWT founder James Martin leads Biz New Orleans on an audio tour of the new gear at his company’s headquarters at Avondale Global Gateway.Note: The final minutes of this conversation were cut from this podcast because background noise made the audio hard to understand.
Electric grids in Louisiana and nationwide are aging. Meanwhile, extreme weather events are increasing. That means utilities need to invest in new technologies to prevent dangerous and expensive power outages during and after storms. On this week’s episode, Tulane professor Fariba Mamaghani shares her research on the subject.
For the second year in a row, a lucky high school senior received a free car thanks to an organization called NOLA Black Wall Street. The organization's main mission, however, is lowering the enormous racial wealth gap in the region. How are they doing this? Founder Goldie Gasper shares all the details, including big news for next year's giveaway.
In this week’s episode, Pastor Shawn Anglim, a clergy leader with Together New Orleans, talks about the origin and status of the Community Lighthouse project. An initiative of Together New Orleans, the project aims to provide commercial-scale solar power and back-up battery capacity to 86 congregations and community institutions throughout the city. These will provide cooling and heating stations, charging stations, food distribution, oxygen exchange, light medical equipment, and other critical services. So far, Together New Orleans opened the first 11 as part of its pilot of 16 lighthouses.
Based on the 2009 hit animated film "The Princess and the Frog," Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens June 28 at Walt Disney World Florida. "Biz Talks" team members Kelly Massicot and Kim Singletary attended the media preview, along with many well-known New Orleanians. In this week's episode, they share their take on the three-day event that drew media from around the world.
This week, attorney Michelle Craig of Transcendent Law Group talks about how the active 2024 legislative session will alter Louisiana’s legal landscape — from a ban on transgendered bathrooms in schools to new rules for emotional support animals. A slate of new laws will bring big changes for the state’s schools, businesses and citizens.
The Olympics of food service, the Bocuse D’Or and the Pastry World Cup have never been held in America since their founding in 1987. From June 11-13, these prestigious events will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. New Orleans & Company Executive Vice President Alice Glenn shares all the details.
Louisiana has a higher incidence of cancer and a lower rate of survival than most states, so it’s more important than ever for the state’s healthcare providers to coordinate efforts to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The director of the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center and director and CEO of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center breaks down the statistics, discusses revolutionary new therapies, and gives an update on efforts to bring a National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center to the state.
If passed, Louisiana Senate Bill 237 would eliminate virtually all hemp products from the market, killing what has fast become a $33 million industry spurred by the booming popularity of THC-infused beverages. On this week’s podcast, hemp industry advocate Monica Olano shares who is behind the bill and why she thinks it would be a bad move for Louisiana.
Kevin Ferguson, a VP at New Orleans & Company, provides an update on the Home For Good New Orleans Homeless Initiative, a community-wide effort to achieve low to no unsheltered homelessness in New Orleans by the end of 2025.
NOLA native Elizabeth Tilton is shaking things up in hospitality by offering up an industry first — easy, affordable health insurance and other wellness benefits to hospitality workers around the nation through her company OS BENEFiTS. How does it work and how affordable are we talking? She shares all the details in this week’s BizTalks.
Courtney Durham Shane from Pew Charitable Trusts and Cam Poole from Greater New Orleans Inc discuss a report that contains recommendations to help boost jobs and economic development related to offshore wind in Louisiana.
New York City native and real estate mogul Charles D. Urstadt fell for New Orleans’ rich culture when he moved here eight years ago. Last year, Urstadt joined with fellow New Orleanian and veteran Tony Award-winning producer Dale Mott to form a new live theater company called Edgewood Entertainment focused on producing works by authors from marginalized communities. In this week’s podcast, Urstadt shares his journey to this new career and the similarities he sees between New Orleans and New York City.
On April 14, the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter officially cut the ribbon on a new home in Mid-City. The converted hotel will allow the shelter to grow its services for homeless families in the metro area and double its sheltering capacity. On this week’s podcast, NOWCS CEO Dawn Bradley-Fletcher talks about why this move will help the city break the cycle of homelessness.
A Louisiana native and mortgage industry professional for more than 30 years, Ross Miller is on the board of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB).
In this episode, he shares some shocking facts about how insurance works in Louisiana and the efforts his organization is fighting for on the local and national levels.
Coulter McMahen, president of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, was in New Orleans recently to talk to dealers here about the state of the industry.
On this week’s episode, he provides an overview of the industry — from the Tesla lawsuit to EV infrastructure and 2024 legislative priorities.
Wednesdays at the Square brings top local artists and vendors into Downtown’s Lafayette Square for 10 weeks every spring – this year through May 8. What does it take to put on this type of “mini festival” every week and what impact does it have? Young Leadership Council’s new Executive Director, Allison Hotard, and Board Member and Event Co-Chair (with Emad Jabbar), Erica Sensenbrenner, share all the details.
A new report from Gary Wagner, an economist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, shows that the state has experienced its biggest job growth in nearly 20 years. He explains what’s happening and what the state can do to spur additional growth while combating “brain drain.”
Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans, drops by to talk about the highlights and challenges of 2023 and what lies ahead for one of the city’s top industries, including the work that’s being done to prepare for the Super Bowl.
This year’s New Orleans Entrepreneur Week will feature more than 100 sessions and special events featuring business leaders and experts in entrepreneurship, innovation and tech. And … it’s free! Liz Maxwell, director of communications and strategic initiatives at the Idea Village (the event’s producer), gives an overview and shares insider tips to get the most out of the event.
The Super Bowl is a year away, but in many ways it’s like the fourth quarter for the host committee, which has been preparing for this event for years. Entergy executive Marcus Brown, who is the chair of the New Orleans Super Bowl LIX Host Committee, shares the team's to-do list and priorities as the city prepares to put its best foot forward on the global stage.
Famed chef, author and entrepreneur Alon Shaya chats with us this week to share the impetus behind creating his own company, Pomegranate Hospitality, and how he is working to create a more positive, supportive working culture. He also shares the details on his latest ventures, including an upcoming expansion into Las Vegas.
This week, Joseph Toomy talks about efforts to increase cooperation between south Louisiana's five ports, the Port of New Orleans’ plans to build a new container terminal in St. Bernard Parish, the rebound of the city’s cruise ship industry and more. Toomy is chairman of the board of commissioners of the Port of New Orleans. He’s also a veteran lawmaker who represented Dist. 85 in the Louisiana State Legislature from 1984 until 2008.
How do we go about making the much-needed change in how we view and talk about New Orleans and why is now the perfect time to start? Both of these questions are answered in the second part of this conversation with New Orleans native Frank Rabalais.
Listen to part 1 here.
Last October, BizNewOrleans.com featured an opinion piece by New Orleans native Frank Rabalais that hit back at the all-too-common negative attitude regarding life in the city. It quickly became one of our most popular reads.
In a conversation so involved we split it into two episodes, Rabalais expounds on his views that the evidence overwhelming shows that New Orleanians have plenty to be proud of. It's time, he argues, that we start seeing the full picture.
This week, Biz New Orleans Editor Kim Singletary talks about the greater New Orleans executives who made the biggest impact in 2023, and she reveals who earned the distinction of CEO of the Year.
Leaders at LWCC, the state's largest workers comp insurance provider, have spent the past four years rediscovering their company’s purpose — and it is paying off.
On this week’s episode, LWCC Chief Strategy Officer Seth Irby and business consultant Lauren Hatcher share what they’ve done, how they did it, and the amazing results they’re seeing.
If 2022 was the year of big problems, 2023 was all about trying to fix them. On this week’s episode, Biz New Orleans editor Kim Singletary talks about the year’s biggest business stories, including the legislature’s efforts to address the homeowners’ insurance crisis, the groundbreaking of the Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion project and the rise of the River District neighborhood development.
This week, we talk to national tipping expert, and Cornell University professor, Mike Lynn about the factors that have led many consumers to become frustrated with the seemingly ubiquitous flip-around white pads that are prompting gratuities in more and more places. Do you tip 20% when picking up your own pizza? Do you add a gratuity when buying groceries from a local market? Lynn talks about how the pandemic changed the game for tipping, and how the practice can be a way for businesses to fight inflation as they compete for employees.
On this week’s podcast, real estate developer Louis Lauricella talks about his team’s vision for the $1 billion River District neighborhood, which he says may be the “largest, private, non-energy project in the history of our state.”
Approaching her third year on the job, New Orleans City Park CEO Cara Lambright oversees more than 300 employees and a $30 million dollar annual budget to maintain a 1,350-acre green space that’s 50 percent bigger than Central Park in New York City. The 170-year-old park is home to the largest collection of old live oaks in the world.
On this week’s podcast, Lambright talks about the park’s ongoing master plan project and the importance of collecting community input about the future of the treasured green space. The next public meeting is scheduled for Dec. 6 at Warren Easton Charter High School.
Pain affects more than 30% of adults around the world, and yet the only current options to deal with it either can harm your liver or be highly addictive. This is why it’s big news that local company South Rampart Pharma just finished Phase 1 trials on a pain killer that has shown neither of these issues. The company’s co-founder and John Ochsner Endowed Professor of Surgery in Innovation, Dr. Hernan Bazan, talks more about this exciting opportunity and what’s next in getting his drug to market.
After closing this summer for a major renovation and redesign, one of the city’s most iconic restaurants is back in business with a new look, a new format and a new Lagasse at the helm. On today’s podcast, Emeril Lagasse’s 20-year-old son E.J. talks about how he prepared for his leadership role, his boldest menu updates and his vision for the future of fine dining.
President and General Manager of the New Orleans Ernest N Morial Convention Center Michael Sawaya joins us on this week’s podcast to discuss the latest in the $557 million in renovations taking place — a result of which has recently been the receipt of three awards for sustainability and equity. He also shares an update on the anticipated mixed-use development River District, reception of the new Civil Rights Museum and the highlights from this year’s convention bookings.
Simone Maloz, campaign director of Restore the Mississippi River Delta, talks about the growth potential for the offshore wind industry in the Gulf of Mexico — and how future wind energy revenue could help power the state’s coastal restoration efforts.
We know it’s coming, but should we be concerned? What is S&WB doing to protect the city’s water supply now, and in the future from this threat and others? S&WB Executive Director Ghassan Korban shares the latest details, including how the national attention we’ve been receiving for this issue is going to help protect New Orleans in the future.
This week’s episode features Will Green, incoming president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. One of the most powerful lobbying organizations in the state, LABI represents more than 2,000 Louisiana businesses. Green comes to the post after filling the top job at the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association.
The pandemic relief program for childcare just expired Sept. 30, which means 3.2 million children around the country are expected to lose access to care in the coming months and 70,000 childcare programs are likely to close. How will this affect Louisiana and what can be done to meet this critical need? Find out in this week’s podcast with Libbie Sonnier, executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.
This week’s episode features Jennifer Baldwin, chief operations officer at Revelry, a New Orleans-based software development company. She explains how Revelry’s apprenticeship program has trained more than 50% of its permanent, full-time employees, and she talks about why Revelry is committed to growing Louisiana’s technology community — and economy overall.
This week, Sept. 20 and 21, the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South (WBEC South) will host their annual WE Summit Awards and Scholarship Gala at the Roosevelt Hotel. Who is the WBEC South and why should women owned businesses get certified with them? President and CEO Phala Mire shares all the details and benefits on this week’s podcast.
Sean Mulligan, program and events coordinator for the Idea Village, talks about the nonprofit’s new music business accelerator, designed to support entrepreneurs seeking to solve problems or create new opportunities in the music industry.
With Louisiana facing more than 600 wildfires just in August, Biz talks with disaster recovery company First Onsite Property Restoration general manager Steven Latham about the business of disasters. What are the biggest threats facing Louisiana businesses near these fires and what can a company like this do to help?
That’s how owner Renee Melchiode describes the experience at Exchange Pickleball & Bar, which opened August 8 behind the Walmart on Tchoupitoulas Street. In this week's episode, hear the story of how they city's only marriage of the fastest growing sport in the nation with food and beverage offerings came to be in New Orleans.
Hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects are lowering Louisiana residents’ risks, yet the state continues to see premiums rise. Chip Kline, former chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, says the opposite should be happening. On this week’s episode, he talks about the connection between insurance and the environment. Kline will be one of the featured speakers at the annual Economic & Real Estate Forecast Symposium hosted by the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors on Oct. 5. At the event, experts in real estate, insurance and finance will tackle the theme “Adapting to Unpredictability.”
Last week, Caesars Superdome officials unveiled a portion of the major renovations planned for the Caesars Superdome in advance of Super Bowl LIX in 2025. Mike Hoss, media relations manager for the project, talks about how the changes in the Dome will make game day more convenient and entertaining for fans. Since he’s also the Saints radio play-by-play announcer, he shares his thoughts on the upcoming season.
The United Way of Southeast Louisiana has just introduced a new program that aims to be a game-changer for the African-American small business community in Southeast Louisiana. Thriving African-American Small Business Initiative (TAASB) seeks to boost the profit potential and resilience of Black-owned businesses and help close the racial wealth gap in the region. For all the details, Biz talks to Chiquita Lattimore, senior VP of community impact and financial capability.
Dillard University President Dr. Rochelle Ford’s first-year achievements include infrastructure improvements, a fundraising boost and changes designed to support faculty and staff culture. Now she’s overseeing the construction of a $40 million residence hall near campus. It’s part of her plan to transform the iconic HBCU into a “living, learning, serving communiversity.”
There’s a lot going on at Tulane’s School of Professional Advancement, including two big new master’s degree opportunities and a new partnership with another local university. Ilianna Kwaske, associate dean for academic affairs and senior professor practice,shares all the details on this week’s podcast.
This week's guest is Geoffrey Meeker, founder and owner of French Truck Coffee. The business began in 2009 in his laundry room and it has now grown to encompass 10 shops with two more on the way. Over the last decade and a half, Meeker has had to become a coffee expert and a pro at scaling and managing a business through extreme weather events, the pandemic and all the challenges that come with life in New Orleans.
This spring, leaders in Jefferson Parish completed a first-ever quality of life survey for the parish called Jefferson Now. In this week’s podcast, we chat with Jefferson Business Council Chairman Philip Rebowe about what residents feel are the parish’s strong points, and where there’s room for improvement.
This week, Becky Gustafson, financial advisor with Gustafson Wealth Management in Metairie, discusses the actions individuals in the LGBTQ+ community can take to build a strong retirement plan and feel confident in their financial future.
On this week’s episode, the longtime leader of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry talks about his plans to build the state’s economy and stop neighboring states from “gobbling up our people, families and businesses.”
Theresa Jones is the CEO of EVALV IQ, the first woman and minority-owned, full-service cybersecurity firm in Louisiana. Since launching in 2019, the firm has grown both nationally and internationally, with clients including the Port of South Louisiana. This week, Jones shares the latest cybersecurity trends and looks at the explosion of cybercrime since the pandemic and what business owners should be doing.
The site of the former Six Flags, and the future of the location, has been the talk of the community for years. Businessman and real estate developer Troy Henry hopes to convert the former theme park site. In this week's episode, he shares his plans of a youth sports complex combined with indoor/outdoor waterpark, hotel, retail and more.
This week’s episode features Jeff and Ben Albright, the father-and-son team that leads the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana. The Albrights represent independent agents and brokers in their interactions with government, the industry and consumers. They’ve got a front-row seat for — and many thoughts about — the current homeowners’ insurance crisis in Louisiana.
El Guapo CEO Christa Cotton continues to build out and scale up her company’s Gravier Street headquarters as three of her products hit the shelves of a national supermarket chain. In this week's episode, she talks about the success of her young enterprise — which makes cocktail bitters, syrups and mixers — and her love of the city that inspired it.
During National Teacher Appreciation Week, we talk to Courtney Williams, the CEO of Torsh, a tech company that works with area schools and teachers in multiple ways to help increase teacher satisfaction and retention. How does Torsh work and what has it meant to area schools? Find out on this week’s BizTalks.
This week’s guest is Andy Kopplin, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. The philanthropic institution is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year — and, on May 2, it will host its 10th annual GiveNOLA Day, an annual online event that’s designed to raise millions for nearly 1,000 participating nonprofits.
Having just broken ground on their fourth location in New Orleans and first in Jefferson Parish, Felipe’s Taqueria continues to build upon its success. Co-owner Pike Howard says the family-run business continues to meet the challenges of hiring and retention, in part by using technology. In this week’s episode, he shares some of his top recommendations.
This week’s guest is Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. His team is leading the preparations for New Orleans to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, 2025. It will be the 11th Super Bowl in New Orleans and the eighth in the Superdome.
FQFI CEO Emily Madero shares her thoughts and best tips for festing this weekend, from the return of some big fan favorites to brand new offerings designed to celebrate the exciting past four decades of this enormous free festival and what it means to New Orleans.
Tifferney White, the dynamic new leader of the Louisiana Children’s Museum, is still moving into her office and learning her way around town. First up on the to-do list: host nearly a thousand museum professionals later this month for the national Association of Children’s Museum’s conference.
How do you make healthcare settings safer while also addressing an industry facing major workforce issues? Local company Performance Health Partners helps tackle both with its proprietary software. This week, CEO Heidi Raines talks about the power of anonymous reporting and her new book, "Shared Voices," ahead of her appearance at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week.
For this week’s episode, there are two “Brennans on Duty”: Lally Brennan and Ti Adelaide Martin, co-proprietors of Commander’s Palace. The first cousins discuss the past, present and future of their family’s beloved Creole restaurant, which debuted way back in 1893 before being purchased and revived by the Brennan family in the late 1960s. The Commander's team has planned a year's worth of celebrations, programs, promotions and collaborations to mark the occasion.
On its 105th year in business, Blue Runner Foods has just welcomed a new CEO, Katie Bautsch, the first woman to lead the company in its history. In this week’s episode, Bautsch shares the changes that lay ahead for this local staple as it looks to capture the hearts, and stomachs, of a new generation.
Liz Maxwell is director of community and communications at the Idea Village, which produces the annual New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. On this week's podcast, she talks about how the event is growing and changing in tandem with the city’s flourishing entrepreneurial community.
Feb 17 marked the start of the sixth season of Nola Gold Rugby — one of 12 major league teams in the country. If you're not yet a fan, new CEO Chase Langdon explains why it's time you give rugby a "try."
Loyola University New Orleans Environmental Law Chair Rob Verchick, a former EPA official in the Obama administration, is the author of the new book “The Octopus in the Parking Garage: A Call for Climate Resilience.” On this week’s episode, he’ll discuss ways south Louisiana can protect itself from increasingly extreme threats from wind and water.
After leading a team of over 1,000 to help build the most powerful rocket ever launched last fall, 2022 Executive of the Year Jennifer Boland-Masterson, director of manufacturing and site leader for the Boeing Space and Launch program, shares the road that led her to the space program, what she’s doing to diversify its workforce, and what her team is up to now.
On this week’s episode, the CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans says the vast majority of insurance claims during recent Louisiana hurricanes were caused by roof failures that could be prevented by improved installation techniques. So, getting some of the region's roofs up to code could be the key to solving the current residential insurance crisis.
Aaron Gailmor is the CEO (Chief Eats Officer) of Brass Roots, a snack food company whose plant-based products use organic Sacha Inchi Seeds, nicknamed “the Incan peanut.” Launched in 2019, the company has quickly grabbed national attention, which amplified last Friday, Jan. 20, with Gailmor’s appearance on the ABC hit TV show Shark Tank.
On this week’s episode, T. Parker Host Chairman and CEO Adam Anderson talks about a his company's $445 million deal to sell Avondale Global Gateway to the Port of South Louisiana — and his vision for how the 254-acre site will contribute to the future of south Louisiana river commerce.
The S&P 500 hit its high mark on the first trading day of 2022 and never came close to that number again for the rest of the year. This week, senior investment management consultant Shepard Buckman of Equitas Capital Advisors talks about what contributed to the rough year for retirement accounts in 2022 and his strategies for recovery in 2023.
In the words of this week’s guest, “New Orleans’s future workforce is not going to prepare itself.” As such, New Orleans Career Center has been working since its opening in 2018 to prepare area young people and adults for a wide variety of high-wage, high-demand local careers. The organization’s CEO, Claire Jecklin, shares how the organization is partnering with local industries and the details of NOCC’s incredible new 143,000-square-foot space.
Each December, Biz New Orleans magazine finishes out the year highlighting the top stories that made headlines. For the past 12 months, those stories included crime, tech and insurance issues - among others. In our final episode of the year, Biz New Orleans editor (and "Biz Talks" co-host) Kim Singletary counts down the most consequential deals and developments of 2022.
Just in time for the holidays, Children’s Hospital welcomed a new addition with the grand opening Dec. 8 of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana’s new house. In this week’s podcast, Grace McIntosh, executive director at RMHC-SLA, shares all the exciting features of the new home, how it finally came to be, and how businesses and individuals can make a real difference for families of children in need of medical care.
This week’s podcast features Linda Thurman and Ed Poole of Movie Poster Archives, a nonprofit that operates a brand-new gallery and store at 605 Lapalco Boulevard in Gretna. Their new venture features an exhibition space, research center, gift shop and screening room. They talk about the importance of movie posters and other film accessories and how JEDCO helped make their new retail location a reality.
More than 10 million lights are on display now at Lafreniere Park, with almost all of the creations custom made. Park Director Tripp Rabalais discusses this year's exciting big addition, as well as how the park fared during the pandemic and what the future holds.
This week’s guest is Mandy Simpson, owner of NOLA Boards, a New Orleans-based maker of handcrafted cutting boards, countertops, furniture and more. She talks about how celebrity chef Rachael Ray helped boost her business, the importance of supporting local retailers during the holiday shopping season — and her big plans to take her business on the road.
A new headquarters, exciting new partnerships, big gifts: 2022 has been an exciting one for the nonprofit Son of a Saint, which helps area boys without father figures. This week, founder Sonny Lee shares some creative ways individuals and businesses can be part of the movement to stop the cycle of violence in our city.
On this week’s episode, Tulane business professor J. Cameron Verhaal and Urban South Brewery owner Jacob Landry talk about what it takes to build an authentic and scalable beer brand, why Louisiana and Mississippi have fewer breweries than other states — and how inflation is “crushing” the industry in 2022.
In this week’s episode, Dolliole shares his thoughts on how the airport weathered the pandemic — and a very chaotic summer — and looks ahead to exciting new additions. Along with added flight options, travelers will be seeing a new offering at the airport that Dolliole said was the result of an unexpected consumer behavior change during the pandemic.
This week, Dan Davis — the sommelier, better known as the “Wine Guy,” at Commander’s Palace — is talking wine. Davis shares how the restaurant used wine to bring in extra revenue, and sanity, during the pandemic, plus he talks details of a must-attend event for any wine lover this month, and offers some fun insight into the world of wine, including his top pics for your table this year.
This week’s episode features Greg Feirn, CEO of LCMC Health, and Michael Fitts, president of Tulane University. Last week, the two leaders announced that LCMC intends to acquire three Tulane-affiliated hospitals from HCA Healthcare in a $150 million deal. If approved by regulators, the move will expand the partnership between Tulane and LCMC and change the New Orleans healthcare landscape.
This month, Loyola University New Orleans is celebrating the debut of a $1.9 million dollar experiential learning space that allows nursing students to practice many medical procedures — from drawing blood to delivering a baby — using robotic mannequins and other high-tech devices. In this episode, Collins talks about the new lab, the nationwide nursing shortage, Loyola’s Ochsner partnership and her long-running blog about the PBS show Call the Midwife.
Entrepreneurs on the Northshore no longer have to cross the lake to receive business development support from The Idea Village thanks to the August launch of IDEAinstitute Northshore. Jon Atkinson, CEO of The Idea Village, joins Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Corporation, and Vincenzo Caronna, entrepreneur in residence and program manager of IDEAinstitute Northshore, to discuss the importance of this new venture.
This week's guest is Natalie Jayroe, president and CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides food access, advocacy, education and disaster response to more than 700 community partners and programs across 23 parishes. The nonprofit is about to unveil a $15 million renovation of its Elmwood headquarters after navigating the twin challenges of the pandemic and several busy storm seasons.
As the president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. — the 10-parish region’s economic development organization — Michael Hecht is a multitasking master. This week, he catches us up on the latest developments in the organization’s work to make the region safer, more affordable, more prosperous and attractive to business.
This week’s guests are Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pete November. Thomas announced Sept. 13 that he’s leaving his post at Louisiana’s largest private employer after 24 years to take the top job at Sutter Health, a Sacramento, Ca.-based nonprofit healthcare network. November will take over as CEO at Ochsner on, appropriately enough, Nov. 1. In this episode, the two talk about Ochsner’s past, present and future: Thomas’s biggest accomplishment, November’s priorities and the challenges facing the healthcare industry in general.
This week’s episode features Tulane business professor Peter Ricchiuti, who is the founder of Burkenroad Reports and host of the weekly show "Out to Lunch" on National Public Radio. A renowned investment expert and educator, Ricchiuti said there are plenty of reasons to feel good about economic prospects nationwide and in New Orleans.
On July 11, Dr. Avis Williams became the first woman in the 181-year history of NOLA Public Schools to serve as its permanent superintendent. In this week’s podcast, she shares her vision for the future, including a few things she did as superintendent in Selma, Alabama, that she feels may work to strengthen schools in New Orleans.
This week’s episode features Guy Williams, CEO at Gulf Coast Bank and co-founder the Pontchartrain Beach Foundation, a nonprofit hoping to restore and re-open the storied beach at the lake end of Elysian Fields Avenue. Last month, the Lakefront Management Authority, which oversees the property, unanimously voted to negotiate a lease with the foundation. Next on the to-do list is moving the process forward and finding $20 million to make the dream a reality.
Companies from BP to Kentucky Fried Chicken are now using virtual reality technology to train their employees as the use of VR and AR continues a rapid expansion outside of the gaming world. This week we talk to Dan Clifton, founder and creative director of Top Right Corner, a company here in New Orleans that specializes in helping businesses take advantage of all the possibilities of immersive and interactive computer-generated imagery.
This week’s episode features Calvin Cooper, co-founder and CEO of Rhove, an SEC-qualified app that allows anyone to invest in commercial real estate for as little as $1 per share. Cooper said his mission is to expand access and opportunity for everyone to invest in and own their communities. A partnership with two local housing nonprofits is introducing the app to the New Orleans market.
Vaccines, gun control, climate change, abortion rights, elections — our world is packed right now with issues that can incite strong, passionate opinions that can cause friction in the workplace. But human resources specialist Amy Bakay says the worst thing employers can do is say nothing at all. Instead, she offers advice on how to flip this challenge into an opportunity to create a stronger team.
Aulston Taylor left his lucrative corporate job in New York City to take charge at St. Augustine High School, the venerable Catholic high school in New Orleans that celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2021. Taylor isn’t just the school’s president; he’s also a graduate, and he credits his alma mater with giving him the tools and discipline needed to succeed in business and in life.
Company behavior and sustainable offerings have both become even more important to consumers during the pandemic according to multiple studies. To help area businesses capitalize on this trend, Kevin Ferguson, vice president of external affairs for New Orleans & Company, discusses a new 3-month program called the Zero Waste Campaign — a partnership with the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and LifeCity. Find out how your company can get in on this unique recognition opportunity in this week’s BizTalks.
The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation was created in the late 1980s to coordinate efforts to attract and manage major sporting events. The organization said that by the time the 2025 Super Bowl has come and gone, it will have turned a $50 million public investment and $100 million in private fundraising into more than $3.44 billion in economic impact for Louisiana and the city of New Orleans. On this week’s podcast, the Sports Foundation’s longtime president Jay Cicero, recent winner of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award, talks about what it takes to bring these events to town — and to keep them coming back for more.
On this week’s episode, Tammie Jackson, the city’s director of safety and permits, says more investigators and new software will improve enforcement of short-term rental rules.
The healthcare industry represents $1.5 billion of the gross regional product on the Northshore and a new pilot program started this past May aims to boost that number even further. In this week's episode, Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Corporation, shares the details behind Northshore Healthscape, including how it will help address the industry’s workforce shortage.
This week’s episode features native New Orleanian Curtis Doucette, a real estate developer and CEO of Iris Development. A former banker, Doucette bought his first property — a duplex in New Orleans East — in 2002. Twenty years later, he’s celebrating the grand opening of the $20 million BonVi apartment complex, a mixed-use project developed in partnership with Green Coast Enterprises that’s celebrating its grand opening on June 16.
In the wake of the amended homebuilding moratorium, what is the next step in addressing the Northshore’s growth challenges? Jules Guidry, CEO of Highland Homes and a former leader of the Northshore Home Builders Association, talks about the new committee he’s a part of that’s dedicated to finding “Simple Solutions,” and shares his thoughts on the future when it comes to supply chain and interest rate changes.
This week’s guest, energy industry veteran Al Petrie, has organized not one but two major industry gatherings this week in New Orleans. On the podcast, he talks about how the pandemic, the global focus on clean energy and the war in Ukraine are creating opportunities for Louisiana.
A NOLA native and mother of seven, Mignon Francois took the last $5 she had for dinner one week and made cupcakes. A decade and a half later, her shop, the Cupcake Collection is ranked in the top 10 cupcake shops in the country and has two successful locations — one in Nashville, Tennessee and one in New Orleans. In this week’s episode, Mignon shares her secrets for success and advice for budding entrepreneurs.
Small business owners in Louisiana and nationwide are reporting that inflation is hurting their bottom line and adversely impacting their ability to hire and retain workers, according to new survey data from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices. This week’s podcast features Joe Wall, the organization’s national director. He discusses the new report and what he hopes will be done to help.
Morgan Dixon is a nail artist, entrepreneur and social media star whose incredible creations have made her studio, MAD Nails, (named for her initials) THE top nail salon in the region and even grabbed the attention of Hollywood. On this week’s podcast, Dixon shares the details on her company and an exciting new expansion.
This week’s podcast features Carmelo Turillo. Turillo is an educator and entrepreneur who is a professor of practice at Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business and the co-owner of Francofonte Catering, which has operated a gelato tent at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for more than a decade. Turillo talks about what it takes to serve high-quality food to thousands of people at the fest each year and how his role as a professor informs his entrepreneurial pursuits.
On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, NOLA MusicTech will host its first in-person conference at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on North Rampart Street. The conference is focused on providing more money and opportunities to New Orleans musicians. In this episode, the event’s two producers Melissa O'Brien and Christine Auten explain what music technology looks like and how our region can benefit from more of it.
Kathy Laborde, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Housing Partnership, is helping spearhead an $80 million affordable housing and healthcare development in Central City. With partial support from health insurance company Aetna, the project aims to demonstrate that onsite, accessible care improves health outcomes at a lower cost, and it’s expected to bring more foot traffic to Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, a once-bustling commercial corridor that’s been a nexus of investment and rehabilitation since Hurricane Katrina.
Intralox is a global manufacturer of conveyor belts that is headquartered in Jefferson Parish with additional facilities located around the world. The company has grown dramatically in the last several years thanks to the rise of e-commerce and now employs more than 3,000 people worldwide. In this week's episode, we talk to Intralox CEO and President Edel Blanks about the company's inception, why business is booming and how the company has built and maintained its reputation as a great place to work.
Drew Brees, John Georges, Tania Tetlow, Todd Graves… these are just a few of the people whose leadership styles are analyzed in a new book called “The Seismic Shift in Leadership” by executive coach and Loyola University Gaston Chair of Business Dr. Michelle K. Johnston. What kind of leadership style leads to the best results? What are some easy things you can start doing now? How does good leadership translate into financial success? What are some common mistakes good intentioned leaders make? Find out in this week’s episode.
Over the last two years, Ochsner Health and other healthcare providers have navigated an extraordinary set of challenges related to the pandemic and extreme weather events. On this week's podcast, Warner Thomas, the president and CEO of Ochsner, discusses the lessons learned in the process and how they will change the healthcare industry going forward.
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week is back, live and in-person in locations around the city March 21-25. The event will culminate with the Idea Pitch, where top startups from The Idea Village’s VillageX accelerator program compete for a $50,000 prize. This week, Corey James, program director for VillageX, discusses the competition’s top prospects and his other “don’t miss” picks for NOEW 2022.
The New Orleans Police Department is designed to function with more than 1,500 police officers on the force but currently has less than 1,000 patrolling the streets. Rafael Goyeneche, longtime president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, believes this is one of the primary causes of the recent spike in violent crime. In this week's podcast, he discusses strategies for rebuilding the NOPD’s ranks over the long term while applying policy, strategy, technology and other “force multipliers” to get the immediate crisis under control.
In this week's podcast, General Manager Mali Carow talks about how the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, the city's first five-star hotel, has fared since it’s opening last summer, how their first Carnival season is going and shares some details on two more large features set to open in the next month.
As of January 2022, there were more than 70,000 onshore wind turbines in operation throughout the United States. And, in 2020, onshore wind power provided 25% of all energy used by the Texas power grid. Move offshore, though, and the number of U.S. wind turbines drops to an amount you can count with the fingers on one hand. As it happens, Louisiana companies were instrumental in constructing the five giant wind turbines off the coast of Block Island, Rhode Island back in 2016. Now, the Pelican State’s roots in offshore oil production — and its meteorological good fortune — may position the state as an industry leader. On today’s podcast, James Martin, CEO of Gulf Wind Technology, talks about the opportunities, challenges and timelines as the offshore wind industry in Louisiana revs up.
Metairie native Thomas Richards’ family has owned and operated what has been known as Clearview Mall for over 50 years. Now, Richards is behind the mall’s reinvention into Clearview City Center, a mixed-use project set to include a “super clinic” from Ochsner and high-end apartment community, among its new offerings. This week, Richards chats about what people can expect from the new development and when they should expect it, as well as shares some details about another exciting retail development he just launched on the Northshore.
This week’s podcast features Marquita White, workforce training and development manager at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute. The school is now accepting applications for its Pathways for Upward Mobility Program, which is focused on hospitality professionals from the BIPOC community (Black, Indigenous and People of Color). The 8-week crash course provides leadership and entrepreneurship skills designed to kick start career growth.
The only Louisiana attraction and highest-ranking museum to be honored in the “Best New Attraction” category in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards, the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience may not be somewhere you’re familiar with yet as it just opened last May, but if it’s not, it should be. This week we chat with Executive Director Kenneth Hoffman about what is it about the museum that’s attracting all the attention.
Robert Thompson's Frenchmen Hotel renovation will be unveiled at the end of the month. Meanwhile, he made headlines this month for purchasing the much larger Whitney Hotel on the other side of the French Quarter. On this week's podcast, he talks about why he moved his business and family to New Orleans, and how his writer's imagination inspires his restaurant and hotel designs.
Seniors have always been at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, but with this aggressive Omicron variant, what should they be doing to stay safe? Is it OK to resume those doctor’s appointments? See family? What about protecting mental health? Dr. Brienne Loy, regional medical director for CenterWell Senior Primary Care for Texas and Louisiana, shares her advice.
This week, we talk to award-winning writer, editor and "Biz Talks" co-host Kim Singletary, who has been the managing editor of Biz New Orleans magazine since its launch in 2014. In this episode, she discusses the most important business stories of the year, and the top executives featured in the January issue.
This week, producer Kelly Massicot interviews Biz Talks co-host Rich Collins about his new role as the editor of Biz New Orleans' new publication the New Orleans 500. The New Orleans 500 is an annual book that profiles the business leaders who are driving the greater New Orleans economy today and making decisions that will shape the region’s future. The inaugural edition is out now and Collins talks about the process and which New Orleans notables you can see in its pages.
Last week, Calgary-based Canadian Pacific Railway finalized a $31 billion dollar purchase of Kansas City Southern railway. The deal, which is North America’s first major merger of Class I railroads in 20 years, could have a noticeable impact in south Louisiana, where some of Kansas City Southern’s 6,700 miles of track is located. John Spain is the executive vice president of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and a member of the Southern Rail Commission. On this week’s podcast, Spain talks about the deal’s implications, including how it may hasten the return of passenger rail service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
On today’s episode, we talk to University of Holy Cross President Dr. Stanton McNeely. Under his leadership, the Algiers-based school’s rankings are on the rise and several new programs are attracting attention. Next semester, for instance, UHC will match TOPS scholarship awards for qualified students and is providing a one-time $1,500 housing scholarship for students who sign a contract to live on campus in UHC’s new residence hall. ... and later this week, they're hosting a winter festival complete with ice skating rink.
Armed with a marketing degree and zero culinary experience, Seventh Ward native Greg Tillery has transformed his dream to create tasty chicken wings into an Instagram-fueled success story. After only eight years, We Dat’s Chicken and Shrimp now boasts seven locations in two states, plus a popular line of seasonings, and is quickly moving toward franchising. In this episode of Biz Talks, Tillery shares his best startup advice for those looking to chase their own dreams.
This week’s episode features U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, who was one of the five lead Republican negotiators and a member of the bipartisan group of 22 senators that drafted the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. On the podcast, Cassidy talks about how the bill will affect the greater New Orleans region, which projects might start the soonest and where the job opportunities will be.
Inventory is down and prices are up, but does that mean you should wait to buy a car? Not according to Roch Eshleman, director of public relations for Ray Brandt Auto Group, who offers up a more complete picture of how car buying has changed during the pandemic, and explains how consumers can still come out on top in this week's episode.
Husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Austin Sherman and Alexis Korman founded Big Easy Bucha seven years ago to create "healthy beverages spiked with New Orleans flavor." Now, they produce, distribute and sell millions of bottles annually. Last week, it was announced that Latin American drink maker Beliv purchased Big Easy Bucha for an undisclosed amount. Sherman and Korman plan to hire another 50 employees in New Orleans as they expand to meet increased demand.
On this week’s podcast, Sherman talks about the origins of his business, the details of the acquisition and why the market for kombucha and other health drinks is booming.
Since taking over in January of 2019 as the third generation of Baumers to lead Baumer Foods — makers of the iconic Crystal Hot Sauce for almost 100 years — Alvin Adam “Pepper” Baumer III has been battling to lead the company through the pandemic and all its challenges. In this casual chat, he shares the big lesson he learned from aunt and great aunt Ti Martin and Ella Brennan about handling adversity, how his leadership differs from his dad’s, and the surprising way the hot sauce industry has begun mirroring the beer industry.
Jeff Strain is a video game programmer whose new studio, Possibility Space, is headquartered in downtown New Orleans. An icon in the industry, Strain is the founder of Undead Labs, which makes the State of Decay video game series; and co-founder of ArenaNet, makers of the Guild Wars online role-playing game.
Following up on last week’s podcast with Jack Jensen, Robby Showalter — a veteran of the container shipping industry and head of an opposition group to Port NOLA’s $1.5 billion proposed container facility in Violet — shares his opposing views on the proposed project and why he plans to do whatever it takes to keep it out of St. Bernard Parish.
This week’s podcast features Jack Jensen Jr., founder of TCI Trucking and Warehousing. As a member of the board of commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, Jensen is enthusiastic about the Port’s plans for a new container terminal in St. Bernard Parish. He talks about why he believes the Violet terminal will be beneficial to the parish, the city and the region — and what New Orleans needs to do to keep pace with other Gulf Coast port cities.
New Orleans is once again a hotbed for filming: just in the first three quarters of 2021 the industry has brought $753 million into the city. In this week's episdoe, Carroll Morton, director of Film New Orleans, shares her thoughts on the future (including the threatened IATSE strike and tax credit battles) along with details on how easy it is to break into the industry and start a new career.
This week’s Biz Talks podcast features native New Orleanian Scott Wolfe, a lawyer and entrepreneur who founded the New Orleans-based technology startup Levelset in 2012 to make payments less stressful for contractors and suppliers in the construction industry. The company is headquartered in the Lower Garden District and has nearly 300 employees worldwide. News broke last week that California-based software company Procore will purchase Levelset for roughly $500 million in the fourth quarter of this year. It’s the largest ever VC-backed tech acquisition in Louisiana. Wolfe will talk about how the deal came together, despite the pandemic and Hurricane Ida, and what it means for the New Orleans tech community.
Now in its 11th year, the must-attend event of the year for the New Orleans residential and commercial real estate industry is returning for two virtual half-days of programming Oct. 19 and 20. In this week's episode, we talked to event co-chairs, Katie Witry and Mike Mito, to learn about the highlights of this year’s schedule.
In this week's episode, Jerry Bologna talks about the challenges business owners have faced because of Hurricane Ida. Bologna is president and CEO of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, an independent arm of parish government that works to support businesses in the area. Since Aug. 29, JEDCO has been providing resources and information to help the business community recover from the storm's effects.
In this week's episode, labor and employment attorney Michelle D. Craig of Transcendent Law Firm shares the top questions and concerns she’s hearing from local nonprofits, schools and businesses when it comes to vaccinations and masks and offers up some guidance in the midst of an ever-changing and uncertain legal landscape.
New Orleans-based nonprofit Good Work Network recently changed its name to Go.Be. to better reflect its work helping minority small business owners get the resources they need to succeed and prosper. The group, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary, has also recently unveiled the Elevate Fund, which will supply small grants of up to $4,000 to qualified applicants. On this week’s podcast, Go.Be. executive director Hermione Malone talks about the mission and some client success stories.
Deanna Rodriguez became the new president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans just three months ago. Who is she? What are her big goals? What does she have to say about the company’s recent controversies and this fall’s proposed rate hike? Hear it all on this week’s episode of Biz Talks.
The delta variant of the coronavirus is is spreading most quickly in places with low vaccination rates. Dr. Stacy Greene of DePaul Community Health Centers has a simple message for those who want to stay safe and for life to return to normal.
Could New Orleans become known as the place to be for STEM education? Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder of the nonprofit STEM NOLA, thinks so. Thanks to millions of dollars in support from foundations and companies like Ochsner, Entergy, Boeing and Chevron, the first STEM NOLA Innovation center is underway, and as of July 20, the organization has gone global in its efforts to bring youth into STEM fields. What will this mean for New Orleans? Dr. Mackie explains in this week's episode of Biz Talks.
This week’s podcast features Neal Shulman, co-founder and CEO of Brewsy, a new direct-to-consumer wine company that doesn't deliver bottles – instead, it helps customers make their own. Based in the Seventh Ward, the company has already sold more than 100,000 fermentation kits to customers around the world.
How can you win two tickets to every single major sporting event in the region for the coming year? What does it take to bring the top sporting events in the nation to New Orleans? What will be the highlights for this coming year? Jay Cicero, president/CEO of Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, answers all these questions and more in this week’s BizTalks.
The reopening of Carousel Gardens and the return of special events are great news for New Orleans City Park - but new CEO Cara Lambright says support from the community will be essential to keeping the 1,300-acre urban playground looking good for years to come.
We’re in the midst of a whole new employment landscape that has companies struggling to hire and retain good talent. For tips on how best to navigate this new reality, we picked the brain of Anna Steele, operations manager with Delta Personnel, a 53-year-old full-service staffing agency serving the region. What are the most in-demand benefits right now? How has the job search changed for all parties? What can a company do to keep the good employees it’s got? Steele shares her best tips for employers and employees looking to find that perfect fit.
Mask mandates and crowd size restrictions are a thing of the past, but New Orleans restaurants are still feeling the effects of the pandemic. On this week's podcast, Stan Harris of the Louisiana Restaurant Association talks about how worker shortages, rising food costs and limited hours are challenging restaurant owners.
Crystal Hot Sauce and Café du Monde are the first two brands to partner with rapidly rising startup MR EATWELL, a New Orleans foodwear brand company formed last year by Irish Channel resident Matt Rebackoff that celebrates food with comfortable loungewear. Rebackoff shares his surprising success story in this week’s episode of Biz Talks.
In this week's podcast, Trey Burvant, vice president of studio operations at Second Line Stages, talks about the state of the city’s film industry as it rebounds impressively from the pandemic shutdown.
Festival season is back!!! And kicking it off is the 13th iteration of Hogs for the Cause this Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5. The creation of lifelong friends and New Orleans natives, Becker Hall and Rene Louapre, Hogs has grown to become one of the largest barbecue competitions and music festivals in the country. On this week’s episode, the founders give us the inside scoop on what to expect for the event’s triumphant return and what they’re most looking forward to after a tough year off.
In the early 2000s, the four-block section of downtown that would become the South Market neighborhood was mostly empty parking lots and aging office buildings. Today, the area is a $300 million (and counting) blend of housing, retail and dining that has brought updated urban living to the area. On this week's podcast, we talk to real estate developer Matt Schwartz about how the project came to be, what’s next for the area and what other projects are on the horizon for Domain.
Dating apps leave something to be desired, say this week’s guests, New Orleans natives Stephanie Hilton and Bayleigh Frickey, which is why they created The Meetery, a new kind of dating app that replace endless online chatting with 15-minute face-to-face ‘first impression’ dates. Frickey and Hilton share how it all works and why they think their app will be a game changer in the multibillion-dollar online dating industry in this episode of Biz Talks.
Amy Stelly is an artist, designer, planner and teacher, known for her advocacy work with the Claiborne Avenue Alliance, a coalition "dedicated to the thoughtful development of the Claiborne corridor." Stelly's work made international headlines recently when the Biden administration cited the Claiborne expressway, built by the federal government in the 1960s, as an example of historic inequity. On this week’s Biz Talks podcast, Stelly explains why the elevated expressway never should have been built, why it should come down and how to get the job done.
The first-ever Louisiana made craft sake hit the market a month ago and the two women behind it — Nan Wallis and Lindsey Brower, owners of Wetlands Sake — tell us all about it, how it came to be, and where you can grab some on this week’s episode of BizTalks.
Thanks to a long spring break season and exceptionally beautiful weather, visitors have been flocking to New Orleans again - but mostly on weekends and mostly by car. Attractions like the Audubon Zoo have been posting attendance numbers that are similar to 2019, but the hospitality industry - ordinarily a source of more than $10 billion in visitor spending - still has a long way to go. Hospitality officials are waiting for meetings, cruises, big weddings and international flights to return before they pop any champagne corks.
On this week’s podcast, we talk to New Orleans & Company president and CEO Stephen Perry about the state of the industry, his high hopes for the fall and the slow road back to full health.
Whether you’ve been laid off, are looking to make more money in a more in-demand field, or maybe always wanted to get a business degree but didn’t think you had the time or the money, there are some great new programs out there. Dr. Larry Audler and Dr. Barbara Wizer share some great options at University of Holy Cross, including a new Accelerated Business Degree program and lots of options to get into booming health sciences careers.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the residential and commercial real estate markets very differently. In New Orleans and elsewhere, home prices climbed as buyers sought more space and listings became scarce. The work-from-home trend, meanwhile, has emptied out office buildings while health restrictions reduced foot traffic in hotels, restaurants and stores. In this week's podcast, Henry Shortess of Urban Properties Real Estate gives his take on regional commercial real estate trends.
This year’s New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, held March 22-26, drew thousands of participants from over 34 countries around the globe eager to hear the latest from the region’s burgeoning entrepreneur community. But if you happened to miss it, all the over 87 sessions and 137 speakers are still accessible at NOEW.org thanks to this year’s completely virtual programming. In this week’s episode, Jon Atkinson, CEO of Idea Village, the producer of NOEW, shares the highlights from this year’s event.
In this week's episode, Jefferson Parish District 5 Councilmember Jennifer Van Vrancken talks about ongoing efforts to revitalize Metairie’s “Fat City” neighborhood. For years, Parish leaders have been looking for ways to create more green space, improve walkability, add street parking and spur development in the area – and recently they sought ideas from potential developers. Van Vrancken highlights what's been done and potential next steps.
What’s open? Where are the best deals? Should you book now or wait a bit? How will traveling look different? Melinda Bourgeois, owner of Travel Central travel agency in Metairie since 1988, answers all these questions and more in this week’s episode of BizTalks.
The "last mile" has always been the most expensive and complicated part of the journey for any product making its way to your home or office. Companies ranging from Amazon to local mom and pops are competing to come up with systems and technology to speed the process up and keep costs down. On this week's podcast, local shipping expert Jason Burns talks about the sale of his family's company - QCS Logistics - to Austin-based Dropoff and his new role looking for companies to join the Dropoff family.
If you attended Celebration in the Oaks or Floats in the Oaks, you experienced innovative event solutions from local tech company WRSTBND, including everything from QR code ticketing text messages to traffic flow tracking and a custom-built radio station. As we look to return to more concerts, festivals and fundraisers, organizers will be making every effort to make them safer, more convenient and more engaging. WRSTBND CEO Conway Solomon shares some of the possibilities his company has developed so far and what he thinks the future holds for the industry.
This week's guest is Sarah Andert, founder and owner of Vintage Green Review, a zero waste education, lifestyle and consulting business. Andert helps people live a vibrant, low-waste lifestyle with vintage-inspired solutions that make sustainability fun and interesting. She has a background in journalism, education, art and environmental studies.
To test COVID-19 vaccines and treatments you need primates, and the United States had a shortage even before the pandemic. Jay Rappaport, principal investigator and director of the Tulane National Primate Research Center talks about the national partnership the center is leading to coordinate primate centers like never before in order to move new vaccines and treatments forward as efficiently as possible. He also shares a bit about the surprising scope of COVID-19 research the center is doing right here in Covington, including on the virus’s long-term effects and emerging variants. Plus, are you or someone you know apprehensive about the current vaccines? Rappaport addresses the concerns many have about the speed of their development and their safety and shares his thoughts on what we can expect in the next few months and years.
On this week’s podcast, we talk to Louisiana native and New Orleans resident Tyler Thompson about the state of the film industry during the pandemic and the balancing act of raising a family in New Orleans while running one of the most successful production companies in Hollywood.
Thompson is the co-founder of Cross Creek Pictures, which has produced films that have grossed more than $1 billion in worldwide box office and been nominated for six Academy Awards, 10 Golden Globes and 18 BAFTAs. The Cross Creek film The Trial of the Chicago 7, released on Netflix, is receiving Oscar buzz this year.
When he’s not making deals with stars and directors - or chasing his kids around Defy Trampoline Park in Elmwood - you might find Thompson at Tipitina’s rehearsing with the band he put together to stave off COVID boredom. His first-ever album will be released this year.
Diversity is good for the bottom line. In fact, according to a 2015 study by McKinsey Quarterly, ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to have a financial performance above the industry mean. So how do we get more diverse companies? One way is to diversify internships, and that’s what native New Orleanian Perry Sholes intends to do with his new nonprofit, Corporate Internship Leadership Institute (CILI). In this week’s podcast, Sholes shares how the program works, and the opportunities it will provide to elevate local companies, underrepresented New Orleanians and the region as a whole.
On this week’s podcast, we talk to Brandy Christian, the president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, about how the pandemic and hurricanes have impacted the two public agencies and what’s around the bend.
Founder of the Cajun Navy Foundation in 2016, Rob Gaudet is a senior software developer that has harnessed the power of technology and social media to changed how we respond to disasters by creating what he calls a “flash mob-like” opportunity for groups of people to jump in, make a real difference, and return to their lives. In this week’s podcast, he talks about the issues behind why Lake Charles is still far from recovered from Hurricane Laura, what individuals and businesses can do right now to help, and the massive economic opportunity Louisiana has to become a world leader in disaster response.
In this week’s podcast, Dr. Kathy Baumgarten of Ochsner Health explains how a successful statewide vaccination program will help Louisiana achieve “herd immunity” - and get back to life as we know it. Baumgarten is Ochsner’s medical director of infection control and prevention.
In response to the cancellation of traditional Carnival parades for 2021, Algiers Point resident Megan Boudreaux had what she thought was a simple, silly idea back in November to decorate her house like a float for Carnival this year and maybe recruit some neighbors to join in the fun. That idea quickly went viral and now Krewe of House Floats numbers 39 krewes, with thousands of registered participants reaching across the globe and partnerships with the City of New Orleans and WWL. In this candid discussion, Boudreaux talks about the philanthropical side of her new venture, the houses she personally is most excited to see, and how people of all budgets can still get in on the fun.
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted air travel so much that the airline industry is expected to lose more than $80 billion in 2020, according to the International Air Transport Association. So, will there be a recovery for the industry in 2021? And how might air travel change forever? To find out, we talked to Chris Schaberg, Loyola University New Orleans professor and the author of a new book about airlines’ COVID-19 response, recovery and future.
Healthcare is moving quickly into the digital world — as we’ve seen recently with the rapid expansion of telehealth — and with this move comes new opportunities for entrepreneurs. On this week’s podcast, we talk with a physician whose startup is the first to use technology to bring in-demand care to an underserved population that numbers 1.4 million people just in the U.S.
Stanford University trained emergency physician and Silicon Valley veteran Dr. Matthew Wetschler is the CEO and co-founder of Plume, the first digital health startup for the transgender community, which announced its entrance into Louisiana on Dec. 14.
In just its first year, Plume has reached nearly 90% of the transgender community, offering a monthly subscription service to provide immediate access to gender affirming hormone therapy through the convenience of a smartphone.
Dr. Wetschler discusses what his startup will mean for Louisiana’s transgender community and what he sees for the future of health startups on this week’s BizTalks.
This week's podcast features Krystal James, the strategic initiatives coordinator for workforce development at Delgado Community College.
The pandemic has put tens of thousands of New Orleanians out of work - especially in the tourism and hospitality categories - but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any jobs out there. In fact, there are plenty of healthcare, construction and technology jobs available right now.
That’s where Delgado comes in: the college is offering affordable - in some cases, free - training that will give people the skills they need to compete for these jobs.
Of note, Delgado has partnered with GNO Inc., Verizon, and Generation USA to offer two free technology training programs that will begin in January.
Did you know NASA’s “rocket factory” and the premier rocket engine test complex in the country are both in our own backyard? This week, we talk to Robert H. Champion, director of the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, and John W. Bailey Jr., the associate director of NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, about the role these two space powerhouses play in our local economy, what they’re working on now, and why you may be able to hear a bit of history being made all the way from Mississippi very soon.
Maryann Miller of StayLocal, an independent business alliance active in New Orleans since 2001, designs programs and directs operations that support StayLocal's efforts to build a thriving local economy. In this podcast, she talks about the importance of supporting local businesses in general and during the pandemic in particular.
Miller has also worked to promote the role of historic preservation in economic development at Preservation Resource Center. Most recently, she helped develop new lines of business for the Louisiana State Museum system. She is a certified real estate finance professional with a background in sociology.
The current pandemic has been just as devastating as Hurricane Katrina was for New Orleans’ City Park according to its CEO, Bob Becker. While many areas of the park are busier than ever in this time of social distancing, the funding sources necessary to keep the park operating have been severely limited. Becker shares the details of how the park is faring, along with what you need to know about this year’s new Celebration in the Oaks driving tour — which starts Thanksgiving night — and offers up some ideas for fun ways you may not realize you can support the park.
This week’s podcast features Lauren Pearson and Emily Lassiter, the co-founders of the Wealth Edit, a new online membership-based community for women looking to confidentially discuss and expand their knowledge of personal finance. The company is officially launching in New Orleans with a series of virtual and in-person events on Thursday, Nov. 19.
Just a few days after Louisiana International Trade day on Nov. 4, Biz New Orleans Editor Kim Singletary caught up with World Trade Center CEO Ed Webb to get a rundown on the latest news in international trade, an industry worth $93 billion annually to the state and employs an estimated 500,000 people.
Webb explains how a majority of the industry is made up of small- and medium-sized businesses and it is with them in mind that the WTC is using artificial intelligence to create a new platform to help businesses make valuable connections to help them compete in today’s global economy.
We talk to Stan Harris, the president and CEO of the Louisiana Restaurant Association.
New Orleans restaurants are facing an existential crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Logically, chains with deep pockets are in the best shape to survive the down year but many mom and pops in Nola and around the state are holding on by learning to put quality food on the table with lower budgets and fewer employees.
But how long can they survive? And what happens to those former employees who are waiting for jobs to return? The answer may depend on how much more federal and state aid is headed their way in the coming months. We’ll talk about all this plus why you don’t hear about restaurant bankruptcies, how artificial intelligence can’t sauté a piece of fish and why the restaurant industry is particularly good for the state. Hint: no tax breaks.
Originally constructed in 1975, our beloved Superdome began a major, $450 Million facelift this year and Trey Trahan, founder and CEO of Trahan Architects, is leading the efforts. In this week’s podcast, he talks about what it was like bringing the Dome back from Hurricane Katrina 15 years ago and what he loves about the changes you’ll see with this new renovation. As the head of the No. 1 design firm in the United States, he also shares his thoughts on New Orleans’ place in the architectural landscape and what’s up next for the firm.
On this week's podcast, we talk to Audubon Institute president and CEO Ron Forman about the organization's pandemic-related budget crisis and why zoos and aquariums have been left out of all federal relief programs to date. The conversation ranges from Audubon's recent request to borrow $10 million from its partners in a riverfront development project to the bright future Forman envisions for all the museums and parks the institute operates.
With a foreclosure crisis projected in Louisiana in the coming months, local homeless shelters may be struggling to meet an increased demand.
On Oct. 5, a new report by Housing Louisiana was released that warned the state is only four months away from a wave of foreclosures. According to the report, 28 percent of homeowners in Louisiana (or nearly 110,000 households — 36,000 of which were in New Orleans) were unable to pay their mortgage in September.
What does this mean for local homeless shelters who are already struggling to accommodate pandemic changes including remote schooling, enhanced cleaning protocols and social distancing after losing the ability to raise funds through events? Melissa Tyler, development director for the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter, talks with Biz New Orleans Editor Kim Singletary about the challenges of meeting the needs of New Orleans families in need and shares some surprisingly easy ways you can help.
This week, we talk to Stephen Perry, the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company – the destination marketing organization that promotes the city to potential visitors. Among the topics covered: the fate of New Orleans restaurants and hotels, how long it’ll be before the city reaches 2019 levels of income and how the meeting business will change forever.
This past August, more than 200 new laws went into effect in Louisiana, including one that now permits any practicing physician to recommend medical marijuana for any condition determined to be “debilitating” — vastly expanding potential use from what was formerly only 14 recognized medical conditions.
What does this mean for local employers? Should you be testing for marijuana use or will that cause more problems than it’s worth? How does this change impact federally regulated industries?
In this week’s podcast, Biz New Orleans Editor Kim Singletary chats with drug testing expert Jared Rosenthal, founder and CEO of Health Street, a software solution that helps over 20,000 businesses set up drug tests and occupational health services at over 10,000 clinics nationwide. Rosenthal shares the struggles this has created for employers nationwide and what he advises they do.
Lacey Merrick Conway, president and CEO of Latter & Blum, talks about the pandemic's effect on residential and commercial real estate in New Orleans. The seller's market for homeowners will likely last through 2020 but the pandemic's worst repercussions may not be felt on the commercial side until 2021 or later. Latter & Blum is a real estate brokerage that’s been in business in Louisiana for more than 100 years. Conway grew up around the company - her father Bob Merrick was its longtime CEO - and she took the reins in January.
In the three years since New Orleanian Leigh D’Angelo and her sister, New Yorker Casey Isaacson, founded Dig, a dating app for dog lovers, the company has found fast success on a national scale. With hundreds of thousands of users now spread across every state, Dig Dates, Inc. just launched its second offering, Tabby, a dating app for cat lovers. In this episode of Biz Talks, D’Angelo chats with Biz New Orleans Editor Kim Singletary about the company’s road to success and why she thinks now is the purrfect time to launch Tabby.
This week features a conversation about how COVID-19 has "changed the game" for small business owners on Oak Street - a historic commercial corridor in Uptown New Orleans - and citywide. Our guest is architect and Tulane grad Min Yang, who is the president of Oak Street Merchants, Residents and Property Owners Inc., a nonprofit that promotes the street and produces Po-Boy Fest.
HGTV’s new show “Selling the Big Easy,” premiering Sept. 11 at 8 p.m., is getting a lot of buzz, but what is the show about? How did it happen? And what kind of exposure will the city be getting? The show’s star, New Orleans native and successful high-end real estate agent, Brittany Picolo-Ramos, shares how she made the surprising leap to the small screen and what she hopes the network’s millions of viewers will learn about the city.
New Orleans restaurants are facing an existential threat. The pandemic has drastically reduced the number of visitors to the city and locals are dining out less frequently. It’s unclear when health restrictions will ease and life can return to normal. On today’s podcast we talk with Jennifer Weishaupt, the founder and CEO of the Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group, about how COVID-19 may change restaurants forever - and how she’s managed to keep her business moving forward despite all the challenges.
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A chemical engineer, Jennifer “retired” from Shell Oil Company in 2015 with 16 years of service, most recently as operations manager for three oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. As founder and CEO of Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group, Jennifer oversees all aspects of restaurant operations and future growth for what has grown from a single neighborhood café in 2008 into an award-winning, 18-unit restaurant group spanning five states and two sister brands (Ruby Slipper Café and Ruby Sunshine). Jennifer stays engaged in her community where she recently completed a term of service on the board of directors of Liberty’s Kitchen and previously served on the board of directors of Morris Jeff Community School. She and her husband, Ruby Slipper co-founder Erich Weishaupt, have been married for 19 years and have three amazing school-aged children who keep her on her toes.
Looking to use this time to prepare for a career change or add to your list of marketable skills? Tulane’s AB Freeman School of Business is launching their first-ever online graduate degree program — a Master of Management in Entrepreneurial Hospitality degree — in January. This week AJ Brooks, assistant director for entrepreneurial hospitality and real estate programs within the Freeman School, talks to Biz New Orleans Magazine Editor Kim Singletary about what the program will look like and how it can be customized to fit those interested in positioning themselves for leadership in a wide variety of industries as we move into a new normal.
AJ Brooks is a Lecturer in Finance and Management at the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. He is also Assistant Director for Entrepreneurial Hospitality and Real Estate Programs within the Freeman School. In addition to his work as an educator, Brooks has developed several real estate projects as the founder and CEO of Left Brick Capital, LLC, a privately-owned real estate development company based in New Orleans. With a focus on urban infill and historic rehabilitation projects, Brooks specializes in incentive-based development and is responsible for placing over $30 million in real estate assets in service over the course of his career. Prior to founding Left Brick, he worked as an asset manager at Gibbs Development and as a financial analyst at Stonehenge Capital. Brooks holds an MBA with a concentration in finance and specialization in energy from Tulane’s A. B. Freeman School of Business.
In this podcast, we talk to music manager Reid Martin (Big Freedia, Tank and the Bangas, Sweet Crude) about how the New Orleans music industry is dealing with the severe changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some artists, like Big Freedia, have pivoted in a big way while others are hunkering down and getting creative. All of them need as much support from fans, the community and government to survive financially until they can begin performing in front of crowds again.
Hospitality and tourism are the lifeblood of New Orleans, and a big chunk of those visitors are a result of the events and groups hosted by the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Ranked in the top 10 of convention centers in the nation in number of conventions and tradeshows held annually, the Morial Convention Center is battling a huge drop in revenue while in the midst of a $557 million renovation and modernization plan.
In this week’s podcast, we talk to convention center president and general manager, Michael Sawaya, and Jerry Reyes, newly-appointed president of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority —the governing board of the convention center — about the present and future of this critical, multi-billion-dollar revenue generator.
The COVID-19 pandemic means that nonprofits have had to find new ways to raise funds, restaurants have devised new ways to sell their services and every business has a new story to tell. On today's podcast, we talk to new Gambel Communications CEO Amy Boyle Collins about the challenges her New Orleans clients are facing, the strategies they've employed to survive and how the public relations industry has evolved in the time of the coronavirus.
Amy Boyle Collins is the new chief executive officer of New Orleans public relations firm Gambel Communications. Collins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Loyola University New Orleans. She received her master’s in mass communication from Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communications. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Collins took a break from communications consulting and spent six years leading the Young Leadership Council, where she developed the downtown Wednesday at the Square concert series.
During the early part of her career, Collins worked in sports marketing for the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Super Bowl XXXI Host Committee, New Orleans Brass Hockey Team, Louisiana State University Athletics and University of New Orleans Athletics. During her career, she has worked in the communications agency business on teams at J. Walter Thompson Worldwide, Logan Marketing, Deveney Communication and P.R. PR, Inc.
With commercial airlines limiting flights and concerns over the safety of travel at an all-time high, Ron Silverman, chief business officer for XO — the first global digital marketplace for private aviation — says XO has seen its national customer base grow to five times pre-COVID-19 levels, with many of those travelers experiencing private aviation for the first time.
Options now exist, he says, that make flying private out of cities like New Orleans for both business and pleasure more accessible than ever. Silverman explains these options and discusses the present and future of air travel in this new era with Biz New Orleans Managing Editor Kim Singletary in this week’s episode of Biz Talks.
Our guest on this week's podcast is Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder, who talks about Main Street Recovery, a new state program that will offer grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse businesses for pandemic-related expenses. Schroder also discusses the many potential challenges facing Louisianians in the months ahead as the state tries to recover from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
On June 12, Dr. Kyshun Webster, through his company, Compassion Society Benefits, officially launched the nation’s first caregiver family leave insurance. Backed by Nationwide Insurance, it offers affordable premiums and provides up to 80 percent income replacement to aid employees forced to leave work to care for a family member.
In this episode of Biz Talks, we talk with Webster about this exciting new product, how it works, and the benefits it offers to both employees and employers.
As the national discussion about the Black Lives Matter movement continues, businesses and organizations nationwide are examining their policies to determine how to provide a more inclusive, anti-racist environment for employees, clients and customers. Stone Pigman attorney Heather Lonian, chair of the firm’s diversity committee, talks to BizNewOrleans.com about her work and what other organizations could be doing.
As New Orleans is becoming the new “Silicon Valley of the South” we’re also making the move to capitalize on our creative economy, and together that means jobs in technology across a wide variety of industries are only going to continue to grow. But how do we ensure everyone knows about and can access these incredible opportunities? That’s where NOLAVATE Black comes in.
Known as the “Great Connector” because of her unwavering passion for community and social justice, New Orleans native Sabrina Short is the founder and CEO of NOLAVATE Black, New Orleans’ Black Tech collective, which, among other things, is the creator of Black Tech Nola, the largest inclusive innovation conference in New Orleans.
In this week’s BizTalk, Short joins Biz New Orleans Managing Editor Kim Singletary to share more about the upcoming conference and talk with us about how opportunities in tech are more diverse and easier to access than many realize.
As some businesses start to bring employees back into the office, chief among concerns is employee safety. But what if someone does get sick? Is that a workers’ compensation claim? Attorney Denis Juge says his firm, WC Defense, has already started seeing some COVID-19-related claims pop up in New Orleans. He joins us to explain how workers’ compensation handles the disease, along with how the popular move to work from home may lead to new legal precedents.
Denis Juge is a director/shareholder with WC Defense. Since its founding in 1983, the firm has represented companies and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, largely in the realm of state and federal workers’ compensation and has collectively tried over 1,000 cases to verdict.
Outside of practicing, Juge taught insurance and workers’ compensation law at Loyola Law School from 1982 to 2005 and is the author of two books on Louisiana workers’ compensation as well as numerous Law Review articles.
He may be reached at www.wcdefense.com.
On today’s podcast, we talk to Alyssa Fletchinger Higgins, the vice president at Plush Appeal - The Mardi Gras Spot, a New Orleans company that creates thousands of custom products for Mardi Gras organizations, business and individuals in New Orleans and beyond.
Normally, Higgins spends several weeks or more each spring traveling to overseas factories but this year has been different, of course. She talks to us about how Carnival organizations are preparing for next year's event despite the uncertain times and the other ways the pandemic has affected the family business.
Eager to get away? The travel industry is starting to open back up, but is it safe? What are the most in-demand destinations for New Orleanians right now? When can you expect the best deals?
Melinda Bourgeois has owned Metairie-based travel agency Travel Central since 1988. Having personally traveled to 47 states and over 56 countries, Bourgeois shares her expertise and recommendations for summer and fall travel.
In this episode, Rich Collins talks to Mark Romig, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at New Orleans & Company, about the state of tourism, New Orleans & Company's marketing plan and what is in store for the city following the coronavirus pandemic.
Is your business ready to reopen? Do you have the right policies in place? Have you checked all the boxes? In this special bonus podcast, Biz New Orleans Managing Editor Kim Singletary talks to Amy Bakay, founder/CEO of HR NOLA, who shares her top tips for making sure you’re ready to get back to business in a safe, productive way.
With all the talk of opening businesses back up, one thing not being discussed a lot is childcare. According to a recent survey, one-third of childcare providers in greater New Orleans reported that an extended closure will force them to permanently close. With so many industries and jobs whose workers rely on affordable childcare options, what’s being done to help these providers?
In this episode, Michael L. Williamson, president and CEO of United Way of Southeast Louisiana talks about what’s being done, as well as the work underway to help area nonprofits — another sector fighting to survive in this new world.
In our second episode, associate news editor Rich Collins talks to Mike Siegel, the president and director of office leasing at Corporate Realty, about the effects of COVID-19 on the New Orleans real estate market. He shares his thoughts on the hospitality side of the industry, which will be the hardest hit, to the pandemic’s effect on the demand for office space.
In our first Big Talks episode managing editor Kim Singletary talks to Quentin Messer, president and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance.