Episodes
291
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN
One-on-one interviews with Biz New Orleans magazine and local leaders about issues that affect businesses throughout the greater New Orleans region.
Celebrating 102 years of service, the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is one of the largest and most influential volunteer organizations in the region — but it’s also evolved in exciting new ways. Today’s membership, activities and events may just surprise you, and brand-new President Shelby Faget Wynne explains why if you’re looking to boost your career, you need to take another look at the Junior League.
From June 16-18, more than 90 CEOs of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) alongside funders, policy makers and industry partners from across the country, will gather for three days of programming at The Westin New Orleans. The ONWARD 2026 Annual Conference is hosted by the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. The organization’s president and CEO, Amber Banks, joins us this week to help us learn more about how CDFIs work, what they can do for people, and how they’re fighting back in today’s challenging climate.
In its 38-year history, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has brought hundreds of events to New Orleans, resulting in a $4.2 billion in economic impact for the State of Louisiana and the Greater New Orleans area. What’s coming next? President and CEO Jay Cicero shares some big wins coming into town next month and later this fall.
Only 5% of Black students in the U.S. meet ACT college-readiness benchmarks, which means missing out on college acceptances and scholarships. After New Orleans native Angelica Harris — a straight-A student — scored a 16 out of 36 on the ACT, she built her own test-prep system, raised her score to a 32 and earned more than $1.5 million in scholarships. Harris then took her system and built a nationwide business providing free, culturally responsive test prep to minority students. In this week’s Biz Talks, she shares how and why her system is different and how local schools and parents can access it.For more information, visit: https://www.toptutorsforus.com/
Local businesswoman and alcoholic alternatives advocate Monica Olano — owner of three businesses, including Cali Sober Market in Metairie — has experienced first-hand the effects of the changes Louisiana’s legislature made to the hemp-based product industry in 2024. The changes, she said, are negatively impacting local bars and restaurants, as well as consumers, and causing the state to lose money. When HB539 was introduced this session, it aimed to correct some of the damage, but earlier this month the bill was pulled. Where does that leave the industry’s future? Olano shares her thoughts.
Native New Orleanian Ryan Rogers recently became the first comedian from the Gulf South to headline a global network comedy special. He is also the founder of the LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest, returning next month here in New Orleans June 4-7. This week he helps us understand where New Orleans fits in with the national comedy scene, along with what it takes to succeed in this industry and how he’s helping local businesses capitalize on people’s deep need and desire to laugh.Learn more at: ryanrogerscomedy.com and lgbtlol.com.
Nausea is one of the most common complaints for expectant mothers, and one Northshore mom-turned-entrepreneur has created a tasty remedy for it. Jamie Steele is the creator of YumMum, ginger-based gummies designed to get the job done while tasting like an actual treat. Not just for pregnancy, these gummies are good for all forms of nausea — traveling kids, chemotherapy treatment, you name it.Steele shares the lessons she learned creating her innovative product and the surprising other ingredients she insisted they include.
There are only two dates left this season for the Young Leadership Council’s (YLC) Wednesdays at the Square, a free outdoor concert series at Downtown’s Lafayette Square Wednesday nights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. YLC Executive Director Allison Hotard shares why you don’t want to miss these last two concerts, along with how the concert series is going and why this year is going to be an especially big one for the YLC. For more information on Wednesday at the Square, visit https://www.ylcwats.com/.For more information on the Young Leadership Council, visit https://www.ylcnola.org/
Since Hurricane Katrina, the issue of whether New Orleans has too many judges, and if so, how many, has been bantered around. But now, in the current session, the house is debating one bill, and the Senate has already passed another that aims to cut judges from New Orleans courts based on what BGR says is incomplete data. What could this mean for our courts and our city’s finances? BGR President and CEO Rebecca Mowbray speaks out on this week’s Biz Talks.
We all know we live in one of the culinary capitals of the world, which makes it so shocking that the region does not a major wholesale food production incubator! Well, that is going to change soon – and our guest today is a huge part of it. Annalisa Kelly, JEDCO’s director of strategic initiatives and policy, has taken the lead on development of the Greater New Orleans Food & Beverage Incubator. What is it? How will it work? What support will it provide entrepreneurs? When will it be up and running? Kelly shares all the details on this week’s Biz Talks.
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