Conflicted
I don’t want to do a women’s issue anymore. After ruminating for a while about what I was going to write for this, my ninth women’s issue for Biz New Orleans, it just hit me. I’m over it. Don’t get…
Biz The Magazine - May 2023
A Month of Honors
This month, the level of honors being given out in the New Orleans business community is at possibly its highest level. Including among them, May celebrates the Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans’ annual Hall of Fame Laureates. I am…
Breaking the Mold
In the fourth quarter of 2022, Resilia — a “tech for good” company founded by Hammond native Sevetri Wilson — announced that it had raised $35 million in its Series B funding round. It is the largest raise ever…
Leading the Charge
To say that the pandemic was bad for the tourism industry in New Orleans is a bit like saying that eating a steady diet of beignets is bad for your health. Some industry leaders consider COVID-19’s consequences to have…
Serial Success Story
Poppy Tooker has spent her life devoted to the cultural essence that food brings to Louisiana, a topic she explores weekly on her NPR-affiliated radio show, Louisiana Eats! From farmers markets to the homes and restaurants where our culinary traditions…
What advice would you give to someone looking to buy an affordable home right now?
Chuck Stall Realtor GNO Realty One of the first things I do when I meet with clients is find out their motivations for making a move. For some, it’s proximity to work or family, while for others it is upgrades…
The Family Grocery Store
Neighborhood grocery stores, once ubiquitous throughout New Orleans, are becoming an endangered species. Not to be confused with convenience marts, these increasingly rare treasures serve their neighbors with real, fresh foods — and a significant dollop of community. There’s no…
Doubling Down Post-Pandemic
In addition to serving as the board chair for NORBCC, Perry Sholes is president of Progressive HR Strategies Inc., and the founder of Corporate Internship Leadership Institute, a New Orleans based 501c3…
Free Agents Offering Hope
Chris Price is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football. The New Orleans Saints’ 2023 offseason seemed to get off to a tumultuous…
Goodbye Bike Shorts!
Undergoodies Undergoodies.com @under_goodies_ For local entrepreneur Mindy Christie, launching a genre-defying undergarment company was the culmination of a lifetime of looking for a product that didn’t exist. Driven by the words of her Southern mother who would always “strongly…
Talking Back
Paul Matthews, CEO of the Port of South Louisiana, sat down with Biz New Orleans recently to provide an update on the port’s plan to purchase the Avondale Global Gateway for $445 million from Virginia-based maritime company T. Parker Host.…
Race to the Bank
In 1656, the royal court of Sweden granted a Latvian-born German/Dutch/Swedish entrepreneur, financier and financial innovator named Johan Palmstruch permission to start a bank. His institution, Stockholm Banco, was the first in Europe to give out banknotes. Palmstruch is actually…
Marijuana in the Workplace: A Hazy Situation
Rebecca Sha is a partner on Phelps’ Labor and Employment team. She may be reached at Rebecca.Sha@phelps.com. David D. “Beau” Haynes is a partner on Phelps’ Health Care team. He may be reached at Beau.Haynes@phelps.com. The laws around medical marijuana…
Politics and the Ports
New Orleans’ port system has been making the news a lot lately. From Port NOLA’s ongoing efforts to build a container terminal facility that would allow them to receive and handle the supermax container ships that are becoming more and…
Water Sector Awash in Women
Keith Twitchell spent 16 years running his own business before becoming president of the Committee for a Better New Orleans. He has observed, supported and participated in entrepreneurial ventures at the street, neighborhood, nonprofit, micro- and macro-business levels. Ten years…
Aimee Brown
“I love creating relationships with chefs, restaurateurs and winemakers,” she said. “Supporting their brands and mission is a huge passion of mine and I am so lucky to be able to do that on a daily basis.” Education: Loyola University…
Sweet Success
El Guapo 3300 Gravier St. elguapobitters.com // @elguapobitters Since 2017, El Guapo bitters has been crafting zero-proof, no-sugar added vegan bitters, syrups and drink mixers in New Orleans. The operation started at 3950 Tchoupitoulas St., but had to move…
Sarintha Stricklin
Sarintha Stricklin Executive Director | Jefferson Ready Start Network Fun Fact I am passionate about our New Orleans Saints! My father was an original season ticket holder and brought me to games in Tulane Stadium. He passed the tickets on…
Ray Brandt Auto Group
Jessica Brandt’s automotive industry expertise, strong leadership, and dedication to her community distinguish her as a powerful force in New Orleans and the business world at large. Since becoming CEO of the Ray Brandt Auto Group in 2019, Jessica has…
The Tekchix
As someone who has years of experience in IT herself, Norma Jean McClain knows how important quality IT team members are to the efficient…
Krispy Krunchy Chicken
With over 15 years of successful marketing experience, Allison Shapiro Dandry joined Krispy Krunchy Chicken (KKC) in 2011 and has played a pivotal role in driving sales growth and expansion. One of the fastest-growing hot food concepts in the convenience…
Forrest Cressey & James
Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Eliza James always knew she wanted to work with people and to make an impact. Her dreams of being a lawyer were quickly realized, and now as partner and co-owner of Forrest Cressey & James…
Port of South Louisiana Board of Commissioners
A lifelong resident of the River Parishes, Judy Songy knows what it means to live along the Mississippi River and what a life-blood it is for the state and surrounding region. As Vice Chairwoman of the Port of South Louisiana…
Woodhouse Spa
Replete with awards, Woodhouse™ spas across South Louisiana help clients experience calm…
Beary Cherry Tree Child Development Center
Paula Polito grew up in a family of educators and strong female leaders. Her grandmother and mother both worked in early care and education, her mother operating a center serving over 180 children, while her father taught and served in…
ACCENT New Orleans, Inc.
Diane Lyons, CMP, DMCP, is known in the New Orleans hospitality industry as a “mover and a shaker” and a special event and meeting planner with deep-rooted connections. Her company, ACCENT New Orleans Inc., has been planning events in New…
Aimee Freeman Consulting
Strategy is what Aimee Adatto Freeman knows and does best. As managing consultant of Aimee Freeman Consulting and Louisiana State Representative for District 98 in New Orleans, Aimee is known for effective advocacy for businesses, families, and individuals and an…
Port of South Louisiana
As Chief Administrative Officer of the Port of South Louisiana, Chambrel Riley-Williams considers it a privilege to be a part of an organization that operates as an economic engine for the community. And it’s not just this community that the…
HUB International Gulf South
HUB International Gulf South Senior Vice President Annette Dowdle is committed to simplifying the complicated world of employee benefits. While navigating the unknowns of today’s economy, Annette and her team take a modern approach to employee-centric benefits. “We think about…
