Biz Talks

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 o...

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...

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 ongoin...

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. Her...

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...

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...

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 sp...

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 upco...

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...

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.