Jaclyn McCabe
Gambit Celebrates
Women
OW N E R Jaclyn McCabe is a radical self-love and body positive advocate who believes beauty is a mindset, not a waistline. After spending too many years dreading the dressing room, she decided to create a space where plus-size women don’t need to choose between clothes that fit and clothes that are fabulous. Jaci Blue, 2111 Magazine Street, offers women like her exclusive access to bold prints, luxe fabrics and Jaclyn’s signature style in sizes 12 and up. In addition to her boutique, Jaclyn is excited to announce she is adding self-love coaching to her brand starting early 2019.
Entrepreneurs PRESENTED BY
Thank you to Fidelity Bank for sponsoring this special section. Fidelity Bank supports women-owned businesses every day with its P.O.W.E.R. program. A unique initiative designed to meet the needs of women in business throughout the greater New Orleans region. With personalized service and a wide array of financial products exclusively for entrepreneurial women, Fidelity Bank provides the tools needed to succeed and flourish. Visit www.fidelitybankpower.com, to learn more.
Bywater NOLA and Alice & Amelia
JoAnne Casey OW N E R Age isn’t slowing down JoAnne Casey. At 64, she just produced NOLA Dogs Race to the Rescue, her first 5K road race benefiting animal rescue in New Orleans. At age 59, JoAnne finished her first triathlon after being inspired by an eight year old girl who had just completed the Ironkids triathlon. As the owner of Bywater Clothing and Alice & Amelia, JoAnne left New Orleans at age 22 and lived most of her adult life in Texas and Connecticut, spending 27 years in the insurance business. After Katrina, she and her husband moved back to New Orleans to be a part of the rebuilding. She created the NOLA Girl brand, wholesaling her products to local retailers and selling at local festivals. Three years ago she opened Bywater Clothing on Magazine Street (she grew up in the Bywater) and just recently expanded with Alice and Amelia, named after her two little granddaughters. Her store highlights quality gifts made primarily by local artists. “When I travel, I want to bring home a piece of my travels as a memory; something made locally from that area and I feel it’s important to have that in my store for others. New Orleans has so many talented artists and crafts people and we’re passionate about letting our customers know that”. > 443 2 M A G A Z I N E S T R E E T | 5 0 4 . 5 0 2 . 6 2 0 6
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This December, Gambit is celebrating women entrepreneurs all month long by featuring the businesses and the women leaders who run the show. From retailers like Candice Gwinn of Trashy Diva who is still rocking the brick and mortar scene, to Suzanne Accorsi who offers neighborhood food and drinks to locals in Algiers, Old Metairie and Mid-City — the women featured in these pages are inspiring, creative and hardworking. Read the behind-thescenes stories of these woman-owned businesses, and please remember to support locally owned shops, bars, restaurants and service providers when you can.
> 2111 M AG A Z I N E S T R E E T N E W O R L E A N S, L A 70130 504.603.2929 W W W. JAC I B LU E .CO M | @ JAC I B LU E
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Jaci Blue
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Dr. Sophia Omoro odAOMO P.O.W.E.R. Member
JOIN THE MOST P.O.W.E.R.FUL WOMEN IN BUSINESS
GAMBIT CELEBRATES WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
P.O.W.E.R. (Potential Of Women Entrepreneurs Realized) is an exciting program designed to meet the unique needs of women in business. We offer personalized service and a wide array of financial products exclusively for entrepreneurial women. And with opportunities to connect and engage with like-minded women, you’ll have the tools you need to succeed and flourish. At Fidelity Bank we believe in the P.O.W.E.R. of you. For more information about Fidelity Bank’s P.O.W.E.R. program contact Liz Broekman at lizbroekman@bankwithfidelity.com
f i d e l i t yb a n k p o we r. c o m
HERE FOR POWERFUL BUSINESS
PRESENTED BY
MJ’s
G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > D e Ec Ce Emb M Be Er R 4 - 10 > 2018
Judy Guhman + Stacey Kerry
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OW N E R S For over 34 years, mother-daughter duo, Judy Guhman and Stacey Kerry, have owned MJ’s on Metairie Road. MJ’s offers a wide selection of Louisiana-inspired jewelry, shirts, gifts, flags, and home décor at reasonable prices. The mother-daughter team designs many of the sterling silver pendants found exclusively at MJ’s, including their recent 300 Year commemorative Tricentennial Pendant. MJ’s also carries an exclusive line of shirts with Louisiana flare, all designed by the mother-daughter duo. With many unique items in stock, MJ’s always has something new to offer their local customers as well as visitors and tourists alike. > 1 5 1 3 M E TA I R I E R O A D, M E TA I R I E , L A 7 0 0 0 5 | 5 0 4 - 8 3 5 - 6 0 9 9
Trashy Diva
Candice Gwinn Twenty-two years ago, Candice Gwinn moved from Atlanta to New Orleans to open her first Trashy Diva boutique in the French Quarter. Gwinn’s love of vintage patterns and classic styles inspired the launch of her first clothing collection in 1999. With four boutique locations in New Orleans and two in Atlanta, Trashy Diva has released over 100 collections of vintage-inspired dresses and separates, providing women of all shapes and sizes in a range of 0-24 with impeccably tailored, meticulously designed pieces to transcend fashion fads. Trashy Diva’s boutiques present a highly-curated selection of clothing, globally sourced intimates, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Trashy Diva Lingerie offers a personal shopping experience, complimentary bra fittings, and hosts private shopping events. Visit Trashy Diva to shop Gwinn’s newest clothing and lingerie collections. > 2048 & 2050 MAGAZINE STREET 5 3 7 & 7 1 2 R OYA L S T R E E T W W W.T R A S H Y D I VA .C O M
Queen Trini Lisa
LISA NELSON OW N E R
CHEF LISA NELSON is the owner of Queen Trini Lisa, and one of four graduates from Roux Carré’s inaugural accelerator program, Launch Pod. Originally from Trinidad, Chef Lisa gained a following while cooking out of her family’s corner store, Hank’s Meat Market. Her guests began demanding plates of her Trinidadian food she would cook for her family, and the rest is history. Lisa has developed a following through her pop-ups around the city. Now her guests can find her at the Roux Carré Culinary Incubator. You don’t want to miss her doubles - a famous Trinidadian street food at Roux Carre!
> R O U X C A R R E 2 0 0 0 O R E T H A C A S T L E H A L E Y B LV D. 5 0 4 . 3 0 9. 2 07 3 | @ Q U E E N T R I N I L I S A
GAMBIT CELEBRATES WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
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G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > D e Ec Ce Emb M Be Er R 4 - 10 > 2018
Bambi DeVille Vintage
Bambi Deville OW N E R , C U R AT O R With her keen eye and desire to inspire every woman’s sense of style, Bambi’s eponymous emporium at 818 Royal was the first vintage clothing store to participate in New Orleans Fashion Week — but Bambi has received acclaim beyond the Quarter, hailed in such prestigious blogs as Racked. com and in the bestseller “Where Stylists Shop.” Bambi rose to prominence as the Bakelitelady, via her collection documented in her book “WW2 Bakelite Jewelry: Love and Victory.” She recently expanded with her second vintage clothing boutique in the Lower Garden District to rival the original emporium in the French Quarter. Stylist, designer, actress, model, hostess, author, entrepreneur and all-around embodiment of New Orleans glamour, Bambi offers an impeccable collection and of course, “Adopt a Vintage Fur!” > 8 1 8 R OYA L S T. | 5 0 4 . 49 1 . 0 8 24 1925 SOPHIE B. WRIGHT PL. @ B A M B I . D E V I L L E .V I N TA G E
Tavolino Pizza & Lounge
“Great Wine, bad ass cocktails & fun service is what I love. I thrive on introducing my funky little boutique wine list and big, fun, fancy cocktails in a very open arms manner,” says Hillary Hanning, a 20+ year veteran of the bar & restaurant industry. Hillary began her career at Carrolton Station, moved onto Beverage Director at Mondo and she has run the bar program for the popular Running of the Bulls here in New Orleans for the last 7 years. Most recently, she and partner Suzanne Accorsi opened Tavolino Pizza & Lounge on Algiers Point.
C O - OW N E R
“To serve the neighborhood you love most is a truly beautiful thing. Algiers Point is so special and so perfect. To serve this community and be in business for myself was the goal. I am so happy and proud to have achieved this.”
Hillary Hanning
> 1 4 1 D E L A R O N D E S T. | A L G I E R S P O I N T 6 0 5 3 3 6 5 | @ TAV O L I N O N O L A O N I N S TA G R A M
Coutelier NOLA
Jacqueline Blanchard OW N E R
GAMBIT CELEBRATES WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Jackie is conquering two genres typically dominated by men: the professional kitchen & the knife world. Her experience in America’s finest restaurants propelled her to open Coutelier NOLA, specializing in hand forged Japanese cutlery. She recently opened a second shop location in Nashville, TN to serve the South’s culinary community. > 8239 OAK STREET NEW ORLEANS, LA 70118 W W W.C O U T E L I E R N O L A .C O M
Style Me New
Christina Santelli
F OU N D E R O F S T Y L E M E N E W
Magpie
“Being dressed for success is not just an expression, but also a truth,” says Christina Santelli of Style Me New. Her artistic eye will effortlessly put together outfits curated to your personal style and provide an approachable, experienced solution to all your personal styling needs.
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> 5 0 4 . 3 5 6 .1 8 1 3 | @ S T Y L E . M E . N E W W W W. S T Y L E - M E - N E W.C O M
Sarah Wheelock
Sarah Wheelock has been selling vintage on Magazine St. since 1996, when she opened Funky Monkey. After running that store successfully for 13 years, she sold it in 2009, moving on to her next venture, Magpie. Magpie sells vintage and estate jewelry from every era and for every budget. The shop specializes in hard-to-find Art Deco and Victorian engagement and wedding rings, as well a hand curated selection of unique estate jewelry. Customers will also find jewelry by local designers and a large selection of designer consignments. Visit Sarah’s Etsy page to shop online MagpieVintageJewelry.etsy.com or stop by her shop on Magazine Street for a visit!
> 4 5 2 9 M A G A Z I N E S T R E E T | 5 0 4 . 8 9 1 .1 3 3 3 @ M A G P I E V I N TA G E J E W E L R Y | M A G P I E V I N TA G E J E W E L R Y. E T S Y.C O M
PRESENTED BY
G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > D e Ec Ce Emb M Be Er R 4 - 10 > 2018
Claudia Croazzo
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F OU N D E R & D E S I G N E R As a young girl, Claudia Croazzo knew she wanted to be a fashion designer. Inspired by her family’s heritage, she designs with a sense of Italian culture and determination. According to her mum, it was clear she acquired a special talent at an early age when she would discover ‘improvements’ that had been made to her clothing.
Designs from her collection have dazzled the catwalk at London Fashion Week and adorned celebrities on the red carpet, which quickly drew attention from publications such as Vogue and Elle Magazine. Her creativity and eye for sophistication continue to expand with her first location in the United States, right here in New Orleans. Claudia is thrilled to showcase a collection of affordable, ready-towear pieces as well as made-to-measure formal gowns, at her Magazine Street studio and boutique. She carefully and thoughtfully sources all of the fabric and materials herself, many of which are embroidered and bespoke. Each and every Claudia Croazzo piece has been handcrafted with love, inspired by culture and specified to the highest standards. > 4214 MAGAZINE STREET | NEW ORLEANS, LA 70115 5 0 4 - 6 0 5 -3 0 0 5 | @ C L A U D I A C R O A Z Z O W W W.C L A U D I A C R O A Z Z O.C O M
GAMBIT CELEBRATES WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Claudia earned a degree in Fashion Design & Styling from Salford University, and after gaining experience working for a fashion house, opened her first studio in the United Kingdom in 2016. “I was spending all my spare time working on my designs,” she says. “I liked them and, more importantly, so did others, so that gave me confidence. My family were encouraging and supportive, so I took a deep breath, picked up my pencils and began.”
PRESENTED BY
G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > D e Ec Ce E mb M Be Er R 4 - 10 > 2018
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Bonfolk
Janna Black Hart OW N E R & D E S I G N E R “After graduating from FIDM with a degree in Fashion Design, I began designing for a women’s clothing label in Los Angeles. I wasn’t feeling fulfilled with the empty fast fashion world and knew I wanted to be doing more, something with purpose. When I found out that socks are the number one requested clothing item in shelters, I quit my job and put my skills to better use. In 2015, I started Bonfolk in my hometown of New Orleans, creating culturally inspired socks that for every pair sold, a pair is donated to a local shelter. BUY SOCKS GIVE SOCKS.” > SHOP SOCKS: W W W. B O N F O L K .C O M
MLCworks
Lauren Lightfoot
GAMBIT CELEBRATES WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
F OU N D E R Ideas and creative thinking have always interested me. Add marketing skills, technology, and a passion for business and MLCworks was born. I work with businesses to stay relevant and navigate a complicated and rapidly changing world. I think it is important to really understand a client’s business, adapt strategy and tactics regularly, and bring new creative ideas to the table. I also really care about numbers. It is essential to look at data, establish ROI goals, and work each day to reach them. Most importantly, my team is relentless and they always and go the extra mile for clients. They are awesome and I couldn’t do it without them. > L A U R E N @ M LC W O R K S .C O M 5 0 4 . 43 2 .1 1 7 9 | M LC W O R K S .C O M
Gambit Salutes
Women Entrepreneurs To showcase your business call Sandy Stein at
(504) 483-3150