EDITOR’S NOTE
My Brees Encounter Publisher Todd Matherne “WELL, THAT WAS COMPLETELY AWESOME.”
That was the verdict from my best friend’s 10-year-old son William as we walked out of the cover photo shoot for this month with Stretch Zone co-owners Jason Laurzel and Drew Brees. William’s mom is one of so many parents right now that have been struggling to cobble together childcare over the summer months, so I decided to help out and take him with me for a morning. I felt almost bad for offering, though, when I heard how nervous he was the night before at the thought of meeting one of his biggest idols. It turns out he had no reason to be nervous. Brees walked right in the new Stretch Zone location in the Winn-Dixie shopping center on Tchoupitoulas that morning and beelined straight for William, who was sitting on the floor, deep in an assigned summer reading book and caught completely off guard. “Whatcha reading?” Brees asked as William scrambled to stand up and grasp what was happening. That’s all I caught of their conversation as the photographer and I began chatting with Jason. I knew, though, that I was witnessing a young kid having a moment that he’d remember for the rest of his life. I have to admit, I’m not a native New Orleanian and not a huge football fan (gasp!) — or fan of any professional sports, really — but I became a fan of one particular player that morning and I know I’m not alone in my happiness that he has chosen to maintain his tie to this city as a continued member of our business community working to bring new concepts to the area. We’re excited to be telling that story this month, as well as the story of five new hotels that are embracing a focus on local business. You’ll also find contributor thoughts on the start of the Saints season, effective ideas for hiring and retention in today’s challenged marketplace, as well as local industry professionals speaking out about their experiences with supply chain issues and what business lessons they learned during the pandemic. As always, if there’s something, or someone, you’d like to hear more about in the magazine or at BizNewOrleans.com, just send us a note at editorial@ bizneworleans.com. Happy Reading,
EDITORIAL Managing Editor Kimberley Singletary Art Director Sarah George Digital Media Editor Kelly Massicot Associate News Editor Rich Collins Contributors Teresa Lawrence, Ashley McLellan, Chris Price, Jennifer Gibson Schecter, Melanie Warner Spencer, Poppy Tooker, Keith Twitchell ADVERTISING Sales Manager Caitlin Sistrunk (504) 830-7252 Caitlin@BizNewOrleans.com Senior Account Executive Brennan Manale (504) 830-7298 Brennan@BizNewOrleans.com Senior Account Executive Jessica Jaycox (504) 830-7255 JessicaJ@BizNewOrleans.com RENAISSANCE PUBLISHING MARKETING Coordinator Abbie Dugruise PRODUCTION Designers Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney CIRCULATION Subscriptions Jessica Armand Distribution John Holzer ADMINISTRATION Office Manager Mallary Wolfe Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne For subscriptions, call (504) 830-7231
2021 Gold Magazine Design Gold Best Explanatory Journalism Gold Feature Design Silver Best Feature Bronze Best Use of Multimedia 2020 Silver Best Recurring Feature 2019 Gold Best Recurring Feature Gold Best Explanatory Journalism 2018 Gold Most Improved Publication Silver Best Recurring Feature 2017 Silver Best Recurring Feature Bronze Best Daily Email 2016 Bronze Best Feature Layout
110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123 • Metairie, LA 70005 • (504) 828-1380
Kimberley Singletary, Managing Editor
14
BIZ NEW ORLEANS
AUGUST 2021
Biz New Orleans is published monthly by Renaissance Publishing, LLC, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 828-1380. Subscription rate: one year $24.95, two year $39.95, three year $49.95—foreign rates vary call for pricing. Postage paid at Metairie, LA, and additional mailing entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Biz New Orleans, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright 2021 Biz New Orleans. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark Biz New Orleans is registered. Biz New Orleans is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork, even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in Biz New Orleans are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or owner.
