Biz Talks

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...

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...

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 opio...

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, a...

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...

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 sh...

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 ”...

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...

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.