The Business Marriage

Lauren and Ryan Haydel, of Fleurty Girl and Haydel’s Bake Shop.

The The

by Jyl Benson

Business Business Marriage Marriage

MARRIAGE IS TOUGH. So is running a business. When you combine the two, things ratchet up exponentially. One little flicker and everything—business, marriage, home, family, and finances—can go up in flames.

Inside New Orleans spoke to five couples who are both business and life partners who successfully manage thriving businesses and happy homes.

LAUREN AND RYAN HAYDEL - FLEURTY GIRL & HAYDEL’S BAKE SHOP

She of Fleurty Girl, he of the Haydel’s Bakery, when they married five years ago, Lauren and Ryan Haydel came to embody a merging of contemporary and historic New Orleans cultural icons.

With his family, Ryan runs the large-scale bakery business (a wedding and king cake kingdom) his grandparents founded in 1959. Lauren oversees Fleurty Girl, the growing New Orleans-centric t-shirt and novelties empire she founded in 2009 as an online store that has grown to six physical locations. Seemingly indefatigable, she also hustles real estate on the side through NOLA Home Realty Group. Together the New Orleans natives opened Haydel’s Bake Shop, an oldfashioned coffee shop and sidewalk café on Magazine Street in 2018. Ryan oversees day-to-day business at the shop and Lauren plays a developmental and creative roll. She also designed the look and feel of the business.

“His strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa,” Lauren said. “It makes us a good team.”

“Because we both have other business interests and we run the bake shop together, we share ideas for it when we are just hanging out,” Ryan said. “She comes up with new ideas and concepts, such as adding a micro-line of gluten-free king cake to our offerings.”

In their private time, the couple manages a blended family of five children and spends time in Bay Saint Louis where Lauren opened a Fleurty Girl shop in 2020.

“People keep asking when we are going to open a bake shop [in Bay Saint Louis],” Ryan said, “but I don’t know about that. I think of this as the place where we will retire.”

ERIC AND ROBYN COOK - RESTAURANT GRIS-GRIS AND SAINT JOHN RESTAURANT

Eric and Robyn Cook quietly opened Gris-Gris in August 2018 on a shoe-string budget cobbled together with family loans and a mortgage on their Algiers Point home. They likened the experience to jumping off a cliff together. She had left her job as a private school fundraiser to take on the role of business manager for the restaurant. He had left a decades-long career of running some of New Orleans top restaurant kitchens.

“We just wanted to control our own lives,” Robyn

said.

Despite the nail-biting start that came with opening a restaurant in the dead of the New Orleans summer, Gris-Gris soon took off as word spread of Eric’s masterful execution of regional classics like chicken and dumplings and whole redfish court-bouillon.

The challenges of running a restaurant are legendary: staffing, slim profit margins, endless licensing and codes, long hours, equipment failures, spoilage. All of it was magnified by the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit just as Gris-Gris was hitting its stride. Their business became an overwhelming, budget-wrecking nightmare of shutting down, opening, sanitizing, shutting down and opening repeatedly.

At one point Eric gave voice to millions of frustrated and frightened small business owners when a kitchen table “rant” over the repeated shutdown and closures of Gris-Gris was secretly recorded, transcribed, and shared on social media by the couple’s 20-year-old daughter, Liz. The response was immediate. With more than 240,000 shares, for a time his was the most searched MSN story in the country.

In October 2021, with Gris-Gris just coming out of the Covid darkness and onto solid footing, the pair took another leap and opened Saint John, an haute Creole restaurant on Decatur Street. That bold move brought instant applause, so they are doing it again. They will open restaurant Julia Brown in the Bywater neighborhood in the fall.

“Ten years ago, I would never have dreamed we could be seeing one another this much,” Robyn said. “It’s insane, but when he used to come to me with problems he was having when he worked for other people, there was nothing I could do. Now we are in this together. We trust and understand each other because we are fighting the same battle. We lean solely on each other. We are both at the top of a business where there is a lot of pressure.

“When we take a day off or go on vacation, we do not discuss work no matter what is happening. We often do different things. He gardens, I read, and we like to escape to the beach.” >>

Eric and Robyn Cook of Restaurant Gris-Gris and Saint John Restaurant.

Above: Vance and Julie Vaucresson of Vaucresson’s Sausage Company. Right: Kevin Gillentine and Vincent Bergeal of Kevin Gillentine Gallery and Vincent Bergeal Custom Framing.

VANCE AND JULIE VAUCRESSON - VAUCRESSON’S SAUSAGE COMPANY

A Creole culture preservationist with an encyclopedic knowledge of his family’s fascinating history, Vance Vaucresson runs his family’s 121-year-old business with his wife, Julie, a familiar face on Fox 8 News, where she explores Creole culture and cuisine. She left her position as an executive overseeing elderly housing for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2018 to join Vance in growing Vaucresson Sausage Company. Together they are rapidly expanding the line of Vaucresson sausages and complementary products. Julie manages business operations, marketing, and development while Vance handles sales, and oversees manufacturing and processing.

“We respect each other and our designated roles,” Julie said. “We stay out of one another’s lanes, but we battle through all of it together.”

The family’s signature product is its peerless Creole Chaurice (hot sausage), a mainstay at festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where they run the 52-year-old festival’s last remaining original food booth.

“My marriage vows were to love, honor, and work the Fest,” Julie said.”

The couple very recently opened Vaucresson’s Creole Café at the corner of St. Bernard Avenue and North Roman Street where, Vance’s grandfather ran his butcher shop and processing plant in New Orleans’ historic Seventh Ward neighborhood. The new business merges the original Vaucresson’s Creole Café, which Vance’s father ran at 624 Bourbon St., and the family meat market under one roof. The new Vaucresson’s Creole Café is also serves as a community center of sorts where locals and visitors can learn about Creole culture and history.

They say their common goal is to leave a legacy for their three children. They also share similar values, work ethic, faith, and a belief in honesty and fairness.

“This has helped us to grow the business and surround ourselves with good people,” Julie said.

“We thrive on the feedback that we get from our customers and how intricately we are woven into the culinary history of New Orleans,” Vance said. “Serving these people is a part of our family legacy.”

KEVIN GILLENTINE AND VINCENT BERGEAL - KEVIN GILLENTINE GALLERY & VINCENT BERGEAL CUSTOM FRAMING

A prolific painter and designer, Kevin Gillentine creates large scale, ethereal landscapes that allow the viewer to impose him- or herself upon the work. His compositions display an incandescent quality through an adept use of chiaroscuro, which conveys a sense of serenity and well-being. His distinctive, coveted works of art are featured in collections throughout the world.

A skilled and passionate cook, the Tupelo, Mississippi

native learned to cook professional-level biscuits, cornbread, and fried chicken while working alongside his grandparents in their country home where he spend most weekends as a child.

But balancing a checkbook is a challenge.

It was in New York that he met his husband and business partner, Vincent Bergeal, a native of Paris, France, with a head for numbers. The couple moved to New Orleans in 1994 and opened the Kevin Gillentine Gallery in 1995. Within their Magazine Street gallery space, Bergeal also runs a conservator and museum-quality framing business and carries an extensive selection of uncommon frame options as well as antique prints and maps.

“We complement each other,” Vincent said. “Kevin is the creative force and I manage all the business aspects.”

With Kevin manning the kitchen, together they entertain numerous friends and acquaintances often in their Uptown home. Kevin and Vincent also serve, respectively, as President and Treasurer of the Magazine Street Merchants’ Association.

“We never tire of laughing at one another’s jokes,” Kevin said. “It seems odd to me that life partners could work separately and, with work, commutes, and obligations, only end up spending a couple of waking hours a day together. I have lived with Vincent longer than I have been alive without him.”

KEVIN AND TIFFANY EYER - COUNTRY PIE PROPERTIES

Pre-pandemic, most Tuesday evenings found Kevin and Tiffany Eyer hosting up to 90 people for dinner at their Gentilly home. Family members, friends, friends of friends, neighbors, their adult children’s school friends and their families, business associates, tenants, and potential tenants of their Gentilly rental properties would start showing up somewhere between 5:30 and 6 p.m.

“We never really knew who would show or how many, we just always made sure we had a whole lot to feed everyone,” Kevin said. By 8:30 or so, a team effort would have left the refrigerator stocked with leftovers, the dishes washed, the kitchen gleaming, and the Eyers free to quietly enjoy the rest of the evening. It was about dinner, sharing a meal and community, not hanging out all night.

Community clamor will soon lead them to resume the dinners. Meanwhile, they routinely cook meals to feed hundreds and distribute the fruit of their efforts from the back of Kevin’s pickup truck to homeless people camped out on Calliope and Tchoupitoulas Streets.

Their shared desire to build community led to the development of their business, Country Pie Properties, a collection if 12 architecturally meaningful multifamily rental homes scattered throughout the Gentilly neighborhood where Kevin grew up. The business uses Tiffany’s skills in business and architecture as well as Kevin’s propensity for math.

“We like to make nice homes for nice people and wouldn’t expect anyone to pay rent for anything we wouldn’t live in ourselves,” said Tiffany, a native of Daytona Beach, Florida “We paint with color to accentuate the architectural features and charm of each property. We pride ourselves on keeping housing affordable while including many amenities.

“I think the reason our partnership works is because we are constantly learning from one another. We balance and level one another when it gets tough. The challenges are always new. Sometimes we are interviewing and deciding on potential tenants by showing off our gorgeous housing stock and all we do to maintain it. Othertimes, we are doing nail-biting assessments after a hurricane, prioritizing damages, and making sure all of our current tenants’ needs are met. And sometimes, we just swing the hammer to get the job done.”

“It’s like we each have our own rail,” Kevin said. “But together we make the track. I’m the nail driver and she is the honeybee. The business needs both. Together we are the decision team.”

The structure of their business allowed them to travel extensively with their two children while taking lead roles in their schools and extra-curricular activities. They ride their two horses around their neighborhood and are together restoring a 48-foot sailboat. They are officers with the Krewe of Spank, a sub krewe of Krewe du Vieux; founding members of Societé des Champs Elyseé; and Tiffany is a founder of the Ladies Godiva, a group of women who parade on horseback in flesh-colored scuba suits adorned to be anatomically correct in the manner of their muse and namesake.

Kevin and Tiffany Eyer of Country Pie Properties.

Tori Pasentine

ROYAL RETREAT DAY SPA

Tori Pasentine has been working in the luxury day spa industry for as long as she can remember. She grew up in the business with her family as massage therapists, aestheticians, and nail technicians. Ethnically mixed Vietnamese and born in the Philippines, Tori has lived all over the country, but she eventually found herself in Louisiana. Opening the doors of Royal Retreat Day Spa in Mandeville reveals the warm, relaxing atmosphere of luxury and excellence that is usually only afforded to royalty. This astounding day spa combines state-of-the-art facilities, products from Natura Bissé, and individualized care, crafting a unique experience fit for a king or queen. Part of what makes Royal Retreat exceptional is that its services are available to both men and women. The team of professional massage therapists and aestheticians is committed to giving customers the highest possible quality of service, providing the ultimate rejuvenation, relaxion, or even invigoration that they need. Royal Retreat started garnering attention from the community within a week of its Grand Opening, with multiple rave reviews on Google. This spectacular day spa sets the standard for individualized care and luxury. Royal Retreat offers a wide variety of services, including massages, facials, luxury hydrafacials, body enhancements, and exclusive treatments, the expert team ensures that each individual will find the treatment perfectly suited for them. Facial treatments are often focused on improving firmness, soothing inflammation, protecting against free radicals, and more. Massage treatments offer release from stress in innumerable ways. Combining expert massage techniques with exfoliation and wholebody masks, the Royal Retreat exclusive treatments melt away any built-up stress. The spa also has service options specifically designed for expectant mothers. Royal Retreat offers customizable massages and facials, as well. The team is always happy and ready to accommodate a customer’s specific needs, creating an individualized treatment. In addition, Royal Retreat offers luxurious treatments tailored for groups. It’s the perfect location to bring a bridal party, birthday gift, or girls’ day out, crafting a delightful experience that everyone will always remember. In addition to services and experiences fit for a king or queen, the products that Royal Retreat uses by Natura Bissé have been voted the “World’s Best Spa Brand” at the World Spa Awards many years in a row. These products are designed to meet every individual’s skin needs. “All of our aestheticians and massage therapists were trained by Natura Bissé, our trade partner,” Tori says. “We like to keep the brand’s integrity by strictly following protocols and procedures.” Combining research, state-of-the-art technology, and a deep understanding of our relationship to our skin, Natura Bissé has created a collection of products

Bao Ka

and treatments that fit any need and deliver a level of excellence in care that in unparalleled. The Natura Bissé collection features product lines that focus on antiaging, hydration, skin balance, and more. Royal Retreat features a variety of these products in their treatments, providing the best options for everyone who comes in. The superior quality of Natura Bissé products combined with the expert care at Royal Retreat create a uniquely luxurious and pampering experience. “We believe in the power of touch, so each facial and body treatment follows massage techniques while incorporating the highly effective ingredients in Natura Bissé’s products to promote beauty and wellness to our clients,” Tori says. In addition to its exemplary level of care and its relaxing, rejuvenating experiences, Royal Retreat offers a variety of additional amenities, including a jacuzzi, a sauna, and the breathtaking VIP room that features a soaking tub. These stunning amenities transport visitors to a place of utter tranquility. Tori’s dream of creating a breathtaking space with “luxurious products and a luxurious atmosphere” in her community have come to fruition. “We opened our doors for business, on March 26th of this year, and since we have been operating during this soft opening period. We are excited to announce that on June 11th, we will be throwing our Grand Opening party. Our trade partners, Hannah from Natura Bissé and Mya from Hydrafacials will be making a special appearance to meet everyone and perform free-sample facials. We’ll serve wine and champagne, do a giveaway, and all 20% of all retail sales, and gift certificates proceeds will be donated to charity.” This elegant retreat, fit for royalty, allows its visitors to take a break from the stressors of life, relax, rejuvenate, and invigorate themselves. Royal Retreat Day Spa is sure to become a staple of the community.

Kevin Vo, Tori Pasentine, Tina Pham, Valerie Villatoro

Visit Royal Retreat Day Spa at Emerald Corner, 3571 Hwy 190 in Mandeville. 985-231-7329. royalretreatdayspa.com

Chris Ferris

FIDELITY BANK

Chris is the President and CEO of Fidelity Bank and NOLA Lending. While he initially pursued a career in education, he realized that he could help a lot of people in the world through banking and financial services. He’s proud that Fidelity Bank is a valued-based mutual financial institution that takes a consultative approach to their client’s needs. “Every day we have an opportunity to educate and help people achieve financial success,” he says. Fidelity Bank was founded in 1908 as Fidelity Homestead, focusing on home mortgage loans. Many generations of New Orleanians received their first home loan from Fidelity Homestead. Now, as a full-service bank, Fidelity Bank offers all traditional banking products and continues to lead the area in home loans through their mortgage division, Nola Lending Group. They recently opened their 18th full-service branch in the heart of the Garden District, our third new branch since 2019 in the city of New Orleans. When choosing a bank for your business, Chris suggests, “Don’t base your decision solely on products or price. They are important, yes, but look to do business with an organization that understands you and your business on a deeper level.” Chris graduated from the University of Georgia, the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, and the BB&T Banking School at Wake Forest University. He is a member of Vistage Worldwide, the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and mid-size business leaders, and he recently received the Vistage Impact Award from his fellow Vistage Worldwide peers. When he isn’t busy as a leader in business banking, he enjoys being with his wife and two children, playing golf, and cycling.

Let Fidelity Bank be a part of your success! Visit a branch or bankwithfidelity.com.

Dr. Keith LeBlanc, Jr., Dr. Elizabeth Bucher, Dr. Corey Rougelot, Dr. Vanessa Voss

THE SKIN SURGERY CENTRE

The physicians at The Skin Surgery Centre focus on providing high-quality care with a personalized touch for the treatment of skin cancer and other tumors of the skin and nails. Dr. Keith LeBlanc, Jr. founded The Skin Surgery Centre after completing his residency in dermatology and accredited fellowship with the aim to curate a personal, attentive experience for each and every patient. Dr. Elizabeth Bucher and Dr. Corey Rougelot are now co-owners of the practice with Dr. LeBlanc, and the two are joined by Dr. Vanessa Voss; all four are board-certified dermatologists and completed accredited fellowships in Mohs micrographic surgery. Mohs surgery is the gold standard for the removal of skin cancers on the head and neck and certain types of skin cancer on other sites, such as if the cancer is recurrent, highly aggressive, or greater than 2cm in diameter. The Mohs procedure allows for minimal removal of the skin by eliminating small areas incrementally until the site is cleared of cancerous cells. Mohs fellowship training includes advanced reconstruction techniques to achieve an excellent cosmetic result that maintains form and function. The Skin Surgery Centre’s operating rooms are equipped with televisions and speaker systems so that patients can relax with music or entertainment. The most important factor to consider when seeking a skin surgeon is to find a board-certified dermatologist. Dermatologists have extensive, rigorous training in evaluating and treating skin cancers. If you are recommended to have Mohs micrographic surgery, look for a surgeon who completed an American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) fellowship and is board-certified in Mohs micrographic surgery. This represents the highest level of training and expertise possible for a Mohs surgeon and ensures you will receive the best treatment for your skin cancer. Drs. LeBlanc, Bucher, and Rougelot each attended medical school at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. LeBlanc completed his dermatology residency at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta. Dr. Bucher completed her dermatology residency and fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Dr. Rougelot completed his dermatology residency at Tulane University. Dr. LeBlanc and Dr. Rougelot both completed their Mohs surgery fellowships at Dermatology Associates in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Voss completed medical school at St. Louis University School of Medicine, dermatology residency at Stonybrook University, and Mohs fellowship at the University of Missouri. All of the physicians at The Skin Surgery Centre are members of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American College of Mohs Surgery, and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. They are also members of the Louisiana Dermatological Society, where Dr. Bucher and Dr. Rougelot have held leadership positions, as well as the Louisiana State Medical Society.

Richard Gitter, MD, FACS and Patrick Bonneval, MD, RPHS

GITTER VEIN INSTITUTE

Gitter Vein Institute catches problems before they happen. Many people see varicose and spider veins as a cosmetic issue, an inconvenient or unsightly annoyance that largely affects the legs, but, along with a number of other symptoms, these veins are actually warning signs of a larger problem. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when valves in the leg veins fail to properly propel blood back to the heart. Symptoms of CVI include spider and varicose veins, swelling or heaviness in the legs and feet, pain and itching, restless legs, or stained, leather-like skin around the calf and ankles. “When blood flows away from the heart and toward the legs, it creates pressure in your legs,” says Richard Gitter, MD, FACS, Founder of the Gitter Vein Institute. “When this happens for many years, the veins create new branches to relieve the excess pressure. These branches ultimately can reach the skin and appear as spider or varicose veins. The cosmetic issue won’t go away without stopping the problem where it starts.” “Without proper diagnosis there can’t be proper treatment,” says Dr. Gitter. He and his staff are experts at the diagnosis and treatment of venous conditions such as CVI and serve to eliminate or minimize the often-unrecognized adverse consequences of venous insufficiency. The Institute is a patient-focused, minimally invasive center that utilizes the most proven and innovative techniques to treat and cure venous insufficiency, varicose veins, spider veins, venous ulcers, and other peripheral venous system abnormalities. Dr. Gitter expanded his practice last year with the addition of his new partner, Dr. Patrick Bonneval, who Dr. Gitter personally recruited and trained, and opened a second location in Baton Rouge. Dr. Bonneval is graduate of E.D. White H.S., Louisiana State University, and LSUHSC Medical School. He completed his residency in Baton Rouge and is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. He is also a registered sonographer of phlebology and is boardeligible for Board Certification in Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. The Gitter Vein Institute offers cutting-edge technologies that are patient-friendly and ideal for every anatomy. Almost all patients walk out after a quick treatment and can go back to work that very same day. “Even if you don’t feel you have a lot of these symptoms, you should seek an evaluation.” says Dr. Gitter. Most insurance companies readily cover diagnosis and treatment of CVI to reduce the patient’s risk of blood clots, bleeding, and skin ulceration. Double board certified in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. Gitter is a graduate of Isidore Newman, Tulane University, and Tulane University School of Medicine. He did his general surgery residency at Baylor University in Dallas and then completed his fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Virginia. He founded Gitter Vein Institute here in his hometown after serving as Director of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery both in Sioux City, Iowa, and Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Visit the Gitter Vein Institute at 1 Galleria Blvd #100 in Metairie. 504-833-0111. 10101 Siegen Lane, Suite 3B in Baton Rouge. 225-256-0102. gittervein.com.

Retina Associates New Orleans

Retina Associates New Orleans has served the communities of Southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast for over four decades. The physicians and staff are dedicated to diagnosing and treating common and rare retinal conditions. Each physician and surgeon is a fellowship-trained retina specialist with extensive education and experience in disease and surgery of the retina, macula, and vitreous. The retina is an essential part of the human eye. Just like the film in a camera, the retina processes light to form an image that the brain can see. Hidden on the inner back surface of the eye, the retina cannot be seen without special techniques. It is a fragile, paper-thin structure composed of tiny blood vessels and brain-like nerve tissue. Healing the retina and restoring its visual function requires great skill and significant effort. Retina Associates New Orleans is nationally recognized for their dedication to exploring new treatments through clinical research. With decades of clinical experience, commitment to research, passion for technological innovation, and unyielding compassion for the visually impaired, Retina Associates New Orleans is the premier institution for retinal eye care. Their board-certified physicians are committed to excellent patient care, and they have multiple office locations equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. They offer consultations and treatments for many retinal issues, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular hole and pucker, ocular tumors, retinal tears and detachments, severe ocular trauma, uveitis, and retinal vascular disease. Retina Associates New Orleans uses innovative technologies to diagnose and treat retinal diseases, including fundus imaging, which shows an image of the back of the eye; fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography, which are methods for visualizing retinal circulation; optical CT scans; and ultrasounds of the eye. Treatments include medications, laser surgery, and micro surgery to correct the retinal issue and help improve the patient’s visual acuity. Retina Associates New Orleans is privileged to be home to the outstanding, extensively trained, and dedicated physicians, along with their supportive and compassionate staff: Gwen M. Cousins, MD, FACS Kathy H. Ta, MD, FACS Ronald L. Willson, MD, FACS Stanislav A. Zhuk, MD, FACS For the convenience of their patients, they have two primary locations in Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany Parish, with satellite locations in Amite, Hammond, Thibodaux, Houma, and Gulfport, MS.

Visit Retina Associates New Orleans at 4315 Houma Blvd., Ste. 201 in Metairie, 1311 Ochsner Blvd. in Covington, or at a satellite location. 504-456-9061. retinaassociates.org

Stacie Carubba

ATHENA REAL ESTATE

Real estate broker Stacie Carubba goes the extra mile for her clients. After all, her tagline is “Results, not excuses.” She says, “Real estate is more than a job for me. Since this is a deeply personal business and people are buying into ‘you’. I take pride in being an active member of my community and often joke with people that real estate is not just a profession, it is a lifestyle.” As a New Orleanian with deep roots, Stacie prides herself on being a trusted resource in the real estate industry by providing insight and sensible advice to her clients while building lasting relationships with them. “I love making an impact in people’s lives. Buying or selling a home is typically one of the biggest transactions that someone will experience in their lifetime, and it is very rewarding to be a part of their journey. “It’s also quite an emotional process in many instances and I value my supportive role throughout the transaction. I also love educating my clients. There are so many different scenarios that can arise throughout the deal, and I want my clients to feel informed and empowered to make the right choices for them, while maintaining their bottom line.” In January 2020, Stacie became partner at Athena Real Estate where she continues to be the brokerage’s top producing agent with over $55 million in sales since earning her license in September 2015. Additionally, Stacie was named a top 10 real estate influencer in New Orleans in 2021 and was listed in the top 1% of professionals in her field by Marquis’ Who’s Who in America. Stacie gives credit to her late grandfather for her tagline and fire for success. “My tagline keeps me accountable to my clients and colleagues. It is not only my promise to them, but it has a deeply personal meaning to me. I was extremely close with my paternal grandfather, Dr. Rosario Carubba, and was his caretaker in the last few months of his life. When he passed away in the fall of 2016, I decided to honor his legacy by adopting his famous words. At that point, I had been a licensed agent for about a year and my business was on an upward trajectory, but after Pappy’s passing, something just clicked with me. I felt like I truly had a calling to fulfill his legacy and my brand was born.” Stacie is a proud member of the Junior League of New Orleans. She has held a leadership position within the organization for many years. She is the president of the Business Networking International (BNI) chapter and has served on many committees for philanthropic organizations including Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Immune Deficiency Foundation.

Parker A. Velargo, MD, FACS

NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR AESTHETICS AND PLASTIC SURGERY

When I was asked by the editor to be featured in the business and leaders publication, I had to think really hard about how I could possibly contribute. I don’t often see my practice or accomplishments as “successes” but rather view them as stepping stones on a path to something greater. As a facial plastic surgeon, the quest for perfection in everything I do is a blessing and a burden. I’m always looking to improve and do better for myself and my patients. I’m so happy to have co-founded the New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery (NOCAPS) in 2013! We have been keeping New Orleans beautiful for over 8 years now by offering patients a 5 star experience and exceptional results. As they say at Hansen’s Snobliz — “There are no shortcuts to quality”. Ultimately, I take great pride on having made a name for myself in New Orleans without riding on the coattails of a more senior surgeon’s reputation. Having patients recommend their family and friends to me after a positive experience is the highest honor and speaks to the care and results that I curate for patients. Referrals from other physicians also speak to my positive reputation in the community. Additionally, I am dedicated to advancing my knowledge and techniques through medical education and collaboration with my colleagues across the globe. While tried and true techniques are the cornerstone of plastic surgery, it’s only through modern advances that superior results can be obtained. I am a double board certified facial plastic surgeon and only focus on plastic surgery of the face and neck. I am most known for rhinoplasty as well as aging face surgery (extended deep plane facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, lip lift, and fat grafting). I specifically take pride that my neck lifting and neck contouring procedures are more advanced than any other surgeon in the region. I am the only surgeon in New Orleans specializing in the deep neck lift as well as the minimally invasive Zoom (MyEllevate) lift. Additionally, I’m really proud of the rhinoplasty results I am producing these days. I love that I get to utilize my scientific and artistic skills to practice medicine, and I love using my hands on a daily basis to help patients look and feel better about themselves. As NOCAPS looks to the future, I am pleased to announce that we have acquired property near the intersection of Louisiana and St. Charles. We are in the process of planning a state of the art clinic and surgery center. Once completed, we will be the only accredited surgery center focused on aesthetic plastic surgery in all of Uptown New Orleans. Trust your face to Dr. Velargo, a facial plastic surgeon.

New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery is located at 2633 Napoleon Ave., Ste. 920, New Orleans (504) 533-8848 www.plasticsurgerynola.com