Big Easy Hustle Podcast

Maddie McElrath is a young entrepreneur and owner of Pampered Pawz, a grooming shop in New Orleans and former owner of the dessert shop Doughing It Right. We talk about the real challenges of running a business, from navigating permits and food costs to realizing that customers don’t just show up—you have to go out and find them. Maddie shares how she bought her first home at 20, built her busines...

Lester Rimola is the owner of Distinct Image Barbershop in Metairie, Louisiana, and a master barber with over 25 years in the game. We talk about his journey from working in restaurants and the airline industry to building a thriving barbershop with 22 chairs and a reputation that has kept clients coming back for over a decade. Lester shares what it takes to open and run a successful barbershop, t...

Rasheen Jones is a Sales Consultant at Sysco, bringing years of experience from the restaurant industry into the world of food sales. We talk about his journey from washing dishes at 16 to working in some of New Orleans’ most well-known restaurants, including Brennan’s and Oceana Grill. Rasheen shares how his background in hospitality shaped his approach to sales, the challenges he faced transitio...

Danny Breaux is the owner of Barmetrix, a liquor auditing company that helps bars and restaurants cut losses and maximize profits. He joins us to break down the shocking truth behind inventory loss in the hospitality industry—businesses are losing 15-20% of their liquor without realizing it. Danny shares how his team identifies missing inventory, improves bar efficiency, and even reduces losses fr...

Jessica Gorman is a real estate agent at NOLA Living Realty who turned a challenging life transition into a thriving career in real estate. She shares how she got started, the growth of NOLA Living Realty to over 175 agents, and why she believes real estate is more about service than sales. Jessica also breaks down market trends, from navigating high interest rates to shifting home design preferen...

Bernard Ali is the Director of Local Sales at Sysco New Orleans, and he’s got decades of experience in the restaurant industry. He started bussing tables at 14, worked his way up through iconic New Orleans restaurants like Venezia and Drago’s, and eventually transitioned into food sales. We talk about his journey, the challenges of managing a team of 66, and how Sysco keeps up with industry trends...

David Adams is the founder of Elation Entertainment, a multimedia powerhouse blending music, film, and content creation in New Orleans. We dive into his journey from running high-end supercar shows to building Louisiana’s first 9.6.2 Dolby Atmos studio. David shares his insights on the future of 3D audio, the challenges of the music industry, and why New Orleans needs a dedicated music hub to keep...

Molly Johnston, Stormy Wood, and Katie Lockfield from Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) join us to share their experiences working in the liquor distribution industry. From navigating product shortages during COVID-19 to managing over 100 accounts and maintaining strong client relationships, they give us an inside look at the challenges and rewards of their roles. We dive into the diff...

Eric Hernandez is the owner and broker of NOLA Living Realty, one of the top real estate companies in metro New Orleans. We dive into Eric's journey from the restaurant business to real estate, exploring how his background in hospitality shaped his success and what it takes to thrive in today's competitive market. From advice for first-time homebuyers to insights on navigating interest rates and i...

Big Easy Hustle dives into New Orleans' entrepreneurial spirit with Rami Bader interviewing business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales reps who hustled their way to success. From navigating challenges to breaking into competitive markets, the show blends inspiring stories, candid conversations, and NOLA charm. Rami spotlights the grit, creativity, and determination that define the city’s boldest hu...