Cultural Economy The power of creativity
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OSHA Compliance 5 Tips P. 46
Haute Topic Work wear designed for women in STEM P. 70
Haspel Suiting a New Generation
june 2019
Laurie Haspel, CEO of Haspel clothing, inventors of the seersucker suit
2 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
6 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
Publisher Todd Matherne Editorial Editor-in-Chief Errol Laborde Managing Editor Kimberley Singletary Art Director Sarah George Digital Media Editor Kelly Massicot Associate News Editor Suzanne P. Tafur Social Media Assistant Becca Miller Multimedia Blogger Leslie T. Snadowsky Contributors Julia Carcamo, Keith Loria, Pamela Marquis, Ashley McLellan, Suzanne Pfefferle Tafur, Chris Price, Jessica Rosgaard, Jennifer Gibson Schecter, James Sebastien, Melanie Warner Spencer, Poppy Tooker, Keith Twitchell Advertising Vice President of Sales Colleen Monaghan (504) 830-7215 Colleen@BizNewOrleans.com Sales Manager Caitlin Sistrunk (504) 830-7252 Caitlin@BizNewOrleans.com Senior Account Executive Brennan Manale (504) 830-7298 Brennan@BizNewOrleans.com Account Executive Jessica Jaycox (504) 830-7255 JessicaJ@BizNewOrleans.com Account Executive Sydney Steib (504) 830-7225 Sydney@BizNewOrleans.com
Marketing Director of Marketing & Events Jeanel Luquette Event Coordinator Abbie Dugruise Digital Media Associate Mallary Matherne For event information, call (504) 830-7264 Production Traffic Coordinator Lane Brocato Production Manager Emily Andras Production Designers Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney Administration Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive Vice President Errol Laborde Office Manager Mallary Matherne Distribution Manager John Holzer Subscription Manager Brittanie Bryant For subscriptions, call (504) 830-7231
AABP 2016 Bronze: Best Feature Layout AABP 2017 Bronze: Best Daily Email AABP 2017 Silver: Best Recurring Feature AABP 2018 Gold: Most Improved Publication AABP 2018 Silver: Best Recurring Feature
110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123 • Metairie, LA 70005 • (504) 828-1380 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 2019 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 selfaddressed 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.
8 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
bizneworleans.com / 9
June 2019 / Volume 5 / Issue 9
contents EVERY ISSUE 14 / 15 / 17 / 28 / 20 / 22 /
perspectives
from the lens
publisher’s note Editor’s note Calendar industry news recent openings Events
42 / healthcare
in the biz
When alzheimer’s hits someone you love what do you do? What are the care options?
26 / dining
46 / insurance
66 / great workspaces
Top 5 things you need to know about complying with OSHA record keeping requirements.
Hotel Peter & Paul brings new life to historic church, rectory, school and convent in the Marigny 70 / why didn’t i think of that?
48 / dining &
74 / making a match:
Traditionally a slow time for hospitality, summer is the perfect time to get your company’s holiday party sorted.
The First Tee teaches local youth life lessons along with the game of golf.
Food halls are the new big thing and New Orleans’ three options are drawing crowds. 28 / tourism
New Orleans to be represented in New York City’s WorldPride celebrations this month.
HauteWork fashions provide form and function for women in the workplace
30 / sports
Griffin brings championship vision to Pelicans
FEATUREs
52
The Pervasive Power of the Pucker It’s been 110 years since Joseph Haspel Sr. created the first seersucker suits in New Orleans. Now his great-granddaughter is taking the company into the future. By Suzanne Pfefferle Tafur photos by jeffery johnston
58
32 / entertainment
Author and filmmaker Jason Berry’s latest project hits especially close to home.
It’s the Cultural Economy, Stupid
34 / entrepreneurship
New Orleans is known for its culture, but that culture is being threatened, and its loss could cost our economy dearly.
Tips for using National Business Etiquette Week to brush up on weak spots
By kim singletary portraits by greg miles
My notes on NOEW 2019 36 / etiquette
entertainment
businesses and nonprofits
80 / on the job
NOLA will soon be producing whiskey.
on the cover
38 / marketing
Laurie Haspel, CEO of Haspel clothing
How strong is your employment brand?
Photograph by Jeffery Johnston
Meet the Sales Team
Caitlin Sistrunk Sales Manager (504) 830-7252 Caitlin@BizNewOrleans.com
Brennan Manale Senior Account Executive (504) 830-7298 Brennan@BizNewOrleans.com
Jessica Jaycox Account Executive
(504) 830-7255 JessicaJ@BizNewOrleans.com
Sydney Steib Account Executive
(504) 830-7225 Sydney@BizNewOrleans.com
Colleen Monaghan Vice President of Sales (504) 830-7215 Colleen@BizNewOrleans.com 12 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
bizneworleans.com / 13
Publisher’s Note
Midyear… …But Not Midway on Business If, like ours, your business uses the calendar
year as your business cycle, June marks half your year. But for us, it is not half our work or performance. Renaissance Publishing —the parent company of Biz New Orleans —is a third and fourth quarter all hands on deck company. In addition to Biz New Orleans, we produce eight other regular titles and an additional 21 custom magazines for other businesses and organizations. The majority of that work is produced from September to December each year. We are the proud publishers of Saints GameDay magazine, among many other great custom titles. So, for the few months of summer we hope to enjoy some family vacations and time in the sun, knowing that come Labor Day, we have a lot to accomplish to finish out our year strong. All businesses have cycles; some capitalize on the spring fever of festivals, while others gear up now for the benefits of summer sun. We enjoy the fall of football and the spirit of the holidays for our push to the end of the year. Whatever your season of work may be, make it happen, and enjoy the other seasons as you prepare for the next go-round. Todd Matherne
14 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
Editor’s Note
We Can’t Just Let It Ride A few weeks before this year’s New Orleans Entrepreneur Week I received a phone message
from a woman I had never met before, a Mrs. Jeanne Nathan. She wanted me to know about an event that was happening at NOEW that I should not miss — it was a presentation and panel discussion that her organization, the Creative Alliance of New Orleans, was putting on with the Downtown Development District about the importance of New Orleans’ cultural economy. I’d never heard that term before, so I was intrigued. I decided to check it out. Included on the panel that day were some familiar faces — Matt Schwartz, co-CEO of The Domain Companies (and Biz’s CEO of the Year in 2017), and Tara Hernandez, president of JCH Development (also one of our Top 10 Real Estate Influencers of 2016) and the lead of GNO, Inc.’s latest endeavor, the New Orleans Music Economy Initiative (NOME). The entire panel seemed to share the same message: New Orleans is only New Orleans because of its creatives. Our architecture, our music, our food, our culture — those are what drives people to visit, to move here, to stay here amidst all the city’s problems. It’s definitely what brought my family here, and what keeps us here. But if that’s our biggest asset, why aren’t we doing more to protect it, promote it and grow it? What really caught my attention, however, was when I went home and looked through the information that had been handed out and saw how many other cities have started investing in their creatives. For example, Austin has created the Building Austin’s Creative Capacity Project — an effort that prioritizes the city’s creative economy as an economic driver. Detroit is looking to bounce back from bankruptcy by directing new private investment toward its creative industries through programs like CREATE: Detroit. And next year, Bentonville, Arkansas, will open a 63,000-square-foot multi-disciplinary space called The Momentary. Formerly a Kraft Foods plant, the new space will be home to festivals, culinary experiences, visual and performing arts exhibitions and an artist residency program. If cities like these — cities that can’t begin to touch the cultural assets that we have here — are conducting studies, channeling funds and creating partnerships and initiatives that bring together government and the public and private sectors, shouldn’t we, also, be upping our game? Happy Reading,
Kimberley Singletary Managing Editor Kimberley@BizNewOrleans.com
bizneworleans.com / 15
16 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
Calendar
June 5-6 New Orleans Digital Marketing Conference Streaming live and on demand 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. new-orleans-digital-marketingconference-2019.eventbrite.com 6 New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce Jefferson Parish Diversity Summit 5:30 to 7 p.m. Marrero Community Center 1861 Ames Blvd., Marrero NORBChamber.org 6 New Orleans Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Alliance — The Rooftop on Basin 5 to 7 p.m. 501 Basin St. NewOrleansChamber.org 12 New Orleans Chamber of Commerce 2nd Quarter Business Luncheon — Legislative Debrief 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. New Orleans Marriott 555 Canal St. NewOrleansChamber.org 12 St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce Legislative Wrap Up Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tchefuncta Country Club 2 Country Club Park, Covington StTammanyChamber.org
13 New Orleans Business Alliance and NASA “Rocketing Your Revenue” one-day conference 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. University of New Orleans University Center 2000 Lakeshore Dr. NOLABA.org 13 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana 2019 Healthcare, Technology & Innovation Summit 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. HYATT Regency New Orleans 601 Loyola Ave. HCCL.biz 13 New Orleans Chamber of Commerce Educational Seminar with AMA: Marketing New Orleans 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Manning’s — 2nd Flood Stadium Club 519 Fulton St. NewOrleansChamber.org 14-16 NOLA Gaming Festival Louisiana’s largest video gaming convention NOLA Motorsports 11075 Nicolle Blvd., Avondale IGLFoundation.com 19 Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Luncheon 2019 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Copeland Tower Suite and Conference Center Mardi Gras Ballroom 2601 Severn Ave., Metairie JeffersonChamber.org
20 Biz New Orleans Magazine Biz Night with Live Nation 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fillmore New Orleans 6 Canal Street Advance reservations required BizNewOrleans.com 21 Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Business & Breakfast — Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. 2829 Williams Blvd., Kenner JeffersonChamber.org 20-23 FestiGals Women’s Weekend Experience The Jung Hotel and Residences 1500 Canal St. Festigals.org 26 Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Prosper Jefferson: Doing Business with the Government 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Entergy Auditorium 4809 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson JeffersonChamber.org 27 New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce 2019 Straight Talk with the Port of New Orleans & Ernest N. Morial Convention Center NORBChamber.org 27 New Orleans Business Alliance 2019 Annual Meeting 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hyatt Regency New Orleans 601 Loyola Ave. NOLABA.org
For a more complete list of events, visit BizNewOrleans.com. We’d love to include your business-related event in next month’s calendar. Please email details to Editorial@BizNewOrleans.com.
Industry News
rankings
New Orleans Ranks Among Top for Baby Boomers Homes.com recently ranked the following cities based on healthcare availability, retiree tax-friendliness, and the population share of baby boomers. 1. Pittsburgh EDUCATION
2. Birmingham, Alabama
4 New Degree and Certificate Programs
3. Miami 4. Cleveland 5. New Orleans
Tulane University Online Doctorate in Social Work
6. Las Vegas 7. Richmond, Virginia
The first online doctorate program at Tulane and the only degree program of its kind in the Gulf South, Tulane’s online doctorate in social work will go live September 2019.
8. St. Louis 9. Jacksonville, Florida 10. Tampa, Florida
NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
University of Holy Cross and LCMC Physician Assistant Program In the fall of 2020, University of Holy Cross and LCMC will launch a new 28-month, 112-credit full-time graduate program that includes two phases: didactic and clinical. The program will include on-the-job training at three of LCMC Health’s five hospitals in and around New Orleans. Delgado Health Coach Certificate Program On May 1, Delgado Community College launched a new Health Coach Certificate program in its Division of Workforce and Professional Development. The program is part of a comprehensive plan to serve as a bridge for a proposed, but not yet approved, associate degree in health navigation Amazon Associate Degree in Cloud Computing Amazon will be partnering with all 12 two-year community and technical colleges in Louisiana to implement “AWS Educate,” Amazon’s global effort to support cloud learning for students and faculty across the world. Louisiana will be the first state to offer the program, which results in an associate degree in cloud computing.
18 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
2019 Downtown NOLA Awards — through June 14 art
New Art Arrives Downtown The first multi-mural exhibition of large-scale artwork in Downtown New Orleans, five new murals were unveiled June 1 throughout the Arts District New Orleans as part of “Unframed presented by The Helis Foundation,” a project of the Arts Council New Orleans. The inaugural Unframed pr esent e d by Th e H e l i s Fo u ndat i on art i sts ar e :
Etam Cru (Poland): 600 O’Keefe St. Team A/C (New Orleans): 333 Julia St.
MOMO (New Orleans): Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St.
Brandan “B-Mike” Odums in partnership with Young Artist Movement (New Orleans): 636 Baronne St.
Carl Joe Williams (New Orleans): 827 Tchoupitoulas St.
The 8th Annual Downtown NOLA Awards luncheon, which celebrates five honorees who have made a positive impact on Downtown New Orleans, is now accepting nominations. The deadline to submit nominations is June 14. Winners will be announced this summer and celebrated at the awards luncheon in September. For more information, visit DowntownNOLA.com/ awards
“In the world of business today, building relationships is a major key to success, and it’s events like the ‘Rocketing Your Revenue with NASA’ that will afford businesses opportunities to forge new relationships. Remember, you’ve got to make contacts to make contracts!” David E. Brock, Small Business Specialist at NASA, speaking about a one-day conference created by the New Orleans Business Alliance and NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs designed to help small business earn contracts with the space agency and its prime contractors. The conference will teach businesses how to secure supplier, subcontractor and service-provider contracts with government agencies and large corporate suppliers. Business owners will connect one-on-one and earn exclusive access to prime contractors like The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Commercial & Civil Space and Aerojet Rocketdyne. “Rocketing Your Revenue with NASA” will take place at UNO’s University Center on Thursday, June 13, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration is $20 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. To register, visit NOLABA.org.
bizneworleans.com / 19
Recent Openings
Moe’s Original Bar B Que Moe’s Original Bar B Que is now open at 1101 N. Causeway Blvd. in Metairie. The 2,100-square-foot fast casual restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and offers Alabama BBQ, fresh seafood and fish, as well as southern sides and desserts and a full premium bar. The restaurant also offers full-service catering.
Claret Wine & Cocktail Bar The team behind Bar Frances and Tujague’s, Latter Hospitality opened Claret Wine & Cocktail Bar on May 16 in the new Framework development in the Lower Garden District at 1320 Magazine Street. The menu includes more than 25 wines by the glass, 30 domestic and imported craft beers, and seasonal craft cocktails, all curated by Bar Manager Craig Seaman and Wine Director Lizzie Lenson. Claret will also offer an extensive charcuterie program and a small plates menu planned by Executive Chef Marcus Woodham.
Therapydia Mid-City After five years in business in Metairie, Therapydia opened its second location in Mid-City on May 1 at 421 N. Carrollton Avenue. Unlike traditional physical therapy clinics, Therapydia aims to be a lifetime wellness provider, offering one-on-one services like annual PT assessments and run analyses.
Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe Since debuting as a specialized toy box subscription in 2012, founder Melissa Beese’s Little Pnuts brand has evolved to offer sustainably sourced toys, as well as board games and party décor for children and adults alike. On May 11, Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe & Party Boutique officially opened its expanded location at 400 Harrison Avenue, complete with new offerings including a rentable event space, weekly activities and a custom balloon design bar.
Grace Funeral Home Fairfield Inn and Suites Metairie On May 15, Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites opened in Metairie at 2710 Severn Avenue. The 124-room hotel features the brand’s newest design and décor and includes an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, meeting room, complimentary hot breakfast, complimentary laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as fax and copy services and free parking for guests. The hotel operates as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Baywood Hotels of Columbia, Maryland.
20 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
Ernst & Young Neat Center Just as Ernst & Young, one of the largest professional service firms in the world, is celebrating 100 years in New Orleans, the company has announced that it will be expanding its local offices at 701 Poydras St. with a new “National Executive Assistance Team (NEAT)” Center, which will provide back-office services to EY executives around the country. The center is expected to add 175 employees over the next three years, plus EY will add another 25 employees to its risk services division. The company currently has 180 employees in New Orleans.
Service Corporation International (SCI), North America’s largest provider of funeral, cemetery and cremation services, and the Archdiocese of New Orleans, celebrated the opening of Grace Funeral Home and St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden on May 2. Grace Funeral Home and St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden spans more than 50 acres of land leased from the Archdiocese of New Orleans to SCI at 450 Holy Trinity Dr. in Covington. The projects includes an 8,500-square-foot facility, and the initial development of 800 cemetery plots, 300 mausoleum crypts and 200 cremation niches of St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden.
Events
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Tuesday, April 9 | 1515 Poydras St.
Thursday, April 11 | Old Rail Brewing Company
Wednesday, May 8 | Hilton New Orleans Airport
2019 New Orleans Chamber of Commerce Power Breakfast
Professional Women of St. Tammany 2019 Phenomenal Woman Retreat
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Awards Luncheon
Sponsored by Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, the monthly power breakfast in April brought business leaders together to network and practice their one minute sales pitches.
1. Carrie Albright, Andrew Boylan and Erika Pelzer 2. Christen Jones, Peggy Bruce and Amanda Largaespada 3. Joe Helm and Harris Coleman
22 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
An annual one-day retreat for women of all ages, the Phenomenal Woman Retreat featured a lineup of powerful speakers including Ashley Rodrigue, former WWL Northshore bureau chief, who spoke on the event's theme: "Beautifully Rooted to Gracefully Grown."
Among this year's honorees were Small Business Award-winner, Uniformity; Large Businesss Awardwinner, POND; and Innovator of the Year, The National WWII Museum.
1. Elizabeth Wilke, Elizabeth Sconzert and Liz Delsa 2. Kathy Lowrey, Erin Schaumburg and Nicole Azzi 3. Simone Crouere, Linda Larkin and Janet Fabre Smith
1. Christel Slaughter, Patricia Besselman-Main and Kristi Brocato 2. Jennifer Amedee, Julie Couret and Chris Cummins 3. Richard Recile, Kristi Maupin and Joseph Carey
photographs by cheryl gerber
bizneworleans.com / 23
Biz columnists spe ak out
in the biz DINING / TOURISM / SPORTS / ENTERTAINMENT / ENTREPRENEURSHIP / ETIQUETTE / MARKETING
photo courtesy st. roch market
The next restaurant/ food retail evolution? It’s food halls.
bizneworleans.com / 25
In The Biz di n i n g
Don’t Call It a Food Court Food halls are the new big thing and New Orleans’ three options are drawing crowds. by Poppy Tooker
Pythian Food Hall Reaches Higher When Green Coast Enterprise founder Will Bradshaw began reimagining a new life
Catch Poppy Tooker on her radio show, Louisiana Eats! Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Mondays at 8 p.m. on WWNO 89.9 FM.
St. Roch — More Than a Market
A native New Orleanian, Poppy Tooker has spent her life devoted to the cultural essence that food brings to Louisiana, a topic she explores weekly on her NPR-affiliated radio show, Louisiana Eats! From farmers markets to the homes and restaurants where our culinary traditions are revered and renewed, Poppy lends the voice of an insider to interested readers everywhere.
26 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
i llustrat i on by Tony H e al e y
From the start, St. Roch’s primary mission was “to give customers real food, from a real chef, with a real story.” But to Donaldson and Tanguis, the vendor’s success is paramount as most have never operated a full-time food business before. The hands-on assistance St. Roch vendors receive includes payroll and accounting, graphic design and even sign-board writing. Once a vendor is ready to open, the St. Roch team helps create HR handbooks while training employees in skills such as customer service and accounting. Over time, the team has developed proprietary software currently being utilized by other startups. Ambitiously, Donaldson and Tanguis debuted two new food halls in early 2018; the Auction House Market on Magazine Street and a second St. Roch Market in Miami’s Design District. Both new locations follow the original Saint Roch’s successful model of 11 food vendors and a full-service bar. With their operation expanding across the country, the company recently rebranded. Inspired by the word politan — meaning “of the people,” Chicago is now home to their fourth food hall, the first Politan Row, with another in the works for Houston.
for the historic Pythian Hall, he dreamed of creating a “physical incarnation of his love affair with New Orleans food.” Built in 1908 for a black fraternal organization called the Grand Lodge Colored Knights of Pythias, the Pythian Temple was home to a number of black-owned businesses, unions and the NAACP but had sat empty on Loyola Avenue for years. In its new incarnation, the Pythian includes six floors of apartment dwellings, along with medical and office space, guaranteeing a hungry audience for the building’s ground-floor food hall. Bradshaw sees Pythian’s Food Hall as much more than a place to fill bellies. He sees it as an antidote to the deeper problems of today’s society, such as depression and loneliness often caused by technological social isolation. Bradshaw envisions the Pythian Market as a “living room for the city of New Orleans, where different groups of diverse people can come together in a comfortable setting and try foods both familiar and exotic.” Without any food experience himself, Bradshaw reached out to culinary professionals and food hall veterans Lisa Brefere and Brad Barnes, consultants who previously curated the selection of multiple vendors in original locations such as the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Brefere and Barnes were so excited at the concept of a “Food Hall For All” situated in a historic building in one of America’s greatest food cities, that they became principals in the endeavor. While providing opportunities for vendors, the Pythian’s focus is on the intersection of retail and social event space, ranging from an intimate performance venue to full-blown food hall. The airy, open layout provides a perfect setting for regular events hosted there, including jazz on weekends, trivia night and drag queen brunches — all free of charge. The performance space on the mezzanine is frequently used for free yoga classes while Tuesday’s from 3 to 9 p.m. are “Scrubs Nights,” designed to draw the medical crowd from the surrounding district. All three of New Orleans’ food halls are bustling, with a reported minimum of 1,000 people per day frequenting each. n
In October 2014, young visionaries Will
Donaldson and Barre Tanguis were experiencing an early flush of success with their co-working space concept Launch Pad. When they learned that the lease on the refurbished St. Roch market was available, the two saw the concept of opening a food hall as “merely another co-working-space, except with napkins.” They executed the concept barely six months later when St. Roch Market opened as New Orleans’ first food hall Food halls differ from food courts by offering a carefully curated mix of small, specialty vendors, often located in historical or high-traffic locations. This global trend is widely considered to be the next restaurant/ food retail evolution. According to a study by Chicago-based commercial real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield, the market has grown across the United States from 70 food halls in 2015, to an expected 300 before 2020.
bizneworleans.com / 27
In The Biz to u rism
Showing Our Pride New Orleans to be represented in New York City’s WorldPride celebrations this month. By Jennifer Gibson Schecter
28 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
Sno-Bliz stand, Mardi Gras flower backdrop, Krewe Sunglasses and a Mardi Gras 2020 Trip Giveaway. People can sign up for the giveaway at the Tastemakers Brunch, Pride Fest and Pride Island events. The trip includes a hotel stay by Sheraton New Orleans, a ride in Orpheus donated by Kern Studios, tickets to the Krewe of Armeinius ball that were donated by the krewe, a riverboat dinner cruise donated by New Orleans Steamboat Company and airfare that will be paid for by NOTMC. It is estimated that the spending power of the LGBT market is almost $1 trillion annually and it is a market that likes to travel — with individuals averaging four or more round-trip flights per year, according to the Community Marketing and Insights Travel Survey 2018. Working alongside New Orleans and Company, NOTMC has established an internal team of local event leaders and hospitality leaders to create NOLHA: New Orleans LGBT Hospitality Alliance. The group meets quarterly to help craft LGBT messaging and keep everyone informed on upcoming events in the community. It has led trainings for the tourism and hospitality industry and recently launched a “Welcoming Sticker” program for New Orleans. Over 150 businesses are currently displaying the sticker. NOTMC said that when it first started these efforts six years ago, New Orleans was hardly on the map for this audience. With efforts that include creating original video and blog content, working with media partners and putting out a monthly newsletter, New Orleans has climbed to be named the “Second Most Welcoming City” in the world by GayCities readers two years in a row, along with several other accolades like “Best Festival” and “Best Gay Bar.” New Orleans will have a two-page spread in the WorldPride guide, as well as partner representation throughout the events of the weekend. Also, @nycpride is planning on one Instagram, one Facebook and one Twitter post about New Orleans leading up to the WorldPride event. NOTMC’s summer video campaign is also running on Pride Media outlets. n
i llustrat i on by Tony H e al e y
Jennifer Gibson Schecter was once a tourist in New Orleans herself and is now proud to call NOLA home. She also writes the Wednesday Tourism Blog on BizNewOrleans.com.
For six years, New Orleans Tourism
Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) has been working with industry partners like New Orleans and Company to market New Orleans as a desirable destination to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, and as an inclusive and inviting city for all visitors. This month NOTMC is building on that message by participating in WorldPride in New York City June 22 – 30. Nearly 20 years old — so not quite old enough to drink at The Bourbon Pub — WorldPride is an international celebration of LGBT Pride Month. This year’s event will be the first WorldPride held in the United States and marks 50 years since the Stonewall Uprising took place in New York in 1969. More than 3 million people are expected to participate in the events and New Orleans will be represented in two culturally iconic ways — in a parade and with a brunch. “New Orleans strives to be a welcoming and inclusive destination for all travelers, not just for large events and attractions, but every day,” said Mark Romig, president and CEO of NOTMC, in a press release. “WorldPride will allow us to showcase our great city on a national scale in a meaningful and authentic way.” The WorldPride March on Saturday, June 30 will feature the signature Natchez Mardi Gras Float, which will be the largest float in the parade. Kern Studios will transport the float, along with Pride decorations, beads and costumes, from New Orleans to New York via flatbed or semi-trailer. A Kern Studios team will travel with the float to assemble it at 2 a.m. before the parade. Float riders include New Orleans native author, actor and retailer Bryan Batt, his husband Tom Cianfichi, who co-owns the boutique Hazelnut with Batt, and Matthew Schoenberger from City Councilman Jay Banks’ office. They will be joined by press, influencers and locals who have had an essential role in shaping the New Orleans LGBT community. Participants will also be walking with the float and handing out New Orleans beads to revelers. New Orleans will also host an activation event during the WorldPride Festival and WorldPride Tastemakers Brunch, bringing some of New Orleans’ favorites to The Big Apple. Those will include a Hansen’s
bizneworleans.com / 29
In The Biz sports
Taking Flight Griffin brings championship vision to Pelicans by chris price
30 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
began with a lot of promise and ended in near disaster. After reaching the second round of the NBA Playoffs the previous season, the team’s year swung on team superstar Anthony Davis’ midseason trade request to the Los Angeles Lakers after announcing he no longer wanted to play in the Crescent City. The move wrecked not only the Pelicans’ season, but the Lakers’, too. Both teams missed the playoffs and are working through the PR catastrophe left in the botched deal’s wake. New Orleans ended the season with a 33-49 record, tied for second-worst in the Western Conference and 15 games out of qualifying for the playoffs. The horrid display cost team GM Dell Demps his job, leaving the rebuilding of the team to someone else. Team owner Gayle Benson promised a renewed focus on improving the franchise. On April 17, David Griffin was named the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operation and charged with building a roster that can compete for championships. His addition has felt like the dawn of a new day. There is promise on the horizon. Pelicans’ website reporter Jim Eichenhofer recently interviewed several people who have known and worked with Griffin for years. They describe a well-liked man who, from his earliest days in the NBA, was driven to run a franchise and work in whatever role he’s needed to learn how to put a talent together within the salary cap and build a winner. He was part of the Phoenix Suns’ most recent resurrection under Steve Nash and built the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers team that came back from a 0-3 deficit against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals to win a championship. David Cooper, owner of New York Citybased MVP Public Relations and an NYU professor, who worked with Griffin when both interned with the Suns during the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons, said of him, “It’s a rare gift today to have an owner or other executive be able to represent your brand to the public, and David brings all of that. He builds winning cultures, and you can only do that if you’ve walked in the shoes of those around you.” Cooper went on to say, “I know him personally, so I may have a bias, but he’s
the smartest individual in the league, hands-down, from cap issues, to talent evaluation, to gamesmanship, to Xs and Os.” In his introductory press conference, Griffin said he and Benson had a shared vision of building the roster “organically” “If you start building to the ethos of the city, you can build something that attracts the right people,” he said, “and we want to build something that lasts and that means something, and this city gives us the chance to do it.” One of his first decisions was to retain head coach Alvin Gentry, who has compiled a 145-183 record in four seasons leading the Pels. Up until the most recent season, the team had improved its record in consecutive seasons under Gentry’s tutelage. “Keeping him around was a no-brainer for me in terms of once we met and talked about where he was in his thought process, and his desire to be part of what the vision was, it was a given.” Some experts have said that Griffin taking over the club may cause Davis to reconsider his trade request. “I think (Davis’ agent) Rich (Paul) is genuinely excited about this situation,” Griffin said at his first press conference. “Rich (Paul) represents the greatest player of his generation, and he saw LeBron (James) buy into what we were doing, and our direction, and the respect he had for what we did. And I think LeBron (James) himself has been very supportive of us as well in terms of listen, they know what they’re doing. So I think he’ll have plenty of the right voices in his ear.” If Davis stays, the team will continue to build around him. If faced with rebuilding, Griffin said it won’t be “rocket surgery.” He plans to “invest” in unselfish players with high basketball IQs who can move the ball. “What we have to do is win, make several small wins, every day, and cobble those together. Every deal we make stacks upon the last one, and there’s going to be things we do that you’re going to look at and say, ‘What on earth are they doing?’ Well, we look at this as a one-deal-feeds-thenext opportunity, and I think that will be something that you see us invest in, and that’s where the infrastructure comes from. We’ll make a series of very good decisions, and hopefully that culminates into a championship caliber team.” n
i llustrat i on by Tony H e al e y
Chris Price is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football. Price also authors the Friday Sports Column at BizNewOrleans.com.
The New Orleans Pelicans 2018-19 season
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In The Biz en t ertai n m en t
A Father, a Daughter and a Film Author and filmmaker Jason Berry’s latest project hits especially close to home. by Kim Singletary
32 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
October with about 40 crew and maybe 50 dancers, musicians and extras,” explained Simonette, who added that many of the musicians were flown in from different parts of Africa to make the experience as authentic as possible. While telling the story of the growth and resilience of the city that has always been their home, both father and daughter say the project has also helped them grow, both professionally and in their own relationship. “It was really exciting, the idea of working with him at first,” said Simonette Berry, “but then we had to go through a period of figuring out how to relate as working professionals. We were coming to the project from different places — I had more experience on the production side of things, and he was coming from more of a writing and directing place. There were definitely times at the editing table when we went toe-to-toe, but we always worked it out. He likes to say he’s learned a lot of humility from the whole thing. I have to.” “Working with Sim has been about the most rewarding professionals experience of my life,” said Jason. “I’m surprised by how much I learned. She is a consummate professional and I hope we can work together again. I also hope she’ll be inspired to embark on projects of her own.” But first, this documentary has got to get through its home stretch. “We’re finishing the rough cut now and then we’ll be showing it to some select focus groups,” said Jason. “This summer we’ll be fine tuning the edit and then in the fall we’ll be submitting it to film festivals.” “We want this piece to go international,” said Simonette. “We have high hopes of sharing our amazing cultural history all over the world.” For more information on this project and the Berrys, visit CityofaMillionDreams.com. n
i llustrat i on by Tony H e al e y
Kimberley Singletary is the managing editor of Biz New Orleans magazine. A 20-year Southern California veteran, she has been surrounded by the film industry for most of her life.
In honor of Father’s Day this month, I
thought I’d share the story of a father and daughter I’m honored to know and the unique project that, for the first time in either of their careers, has turned them into professional colleagues. Both are storytellers: The dad is Jason Berry, an author, journalist and filmmaker widely known for his coverage of the sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic church. His daughter, Simonette Berry, is an accomplished scenic artist and writer who has worked in the film industry for six years. Last fall, Jason Berry’s 10th and latest book was released — “City of a Million Dreams: A History of New Orleans at Year 300.” The book tells the story of New Orleans through the wide array of colorful figures that have shaped it through the centuries. It is only, however, the first part of the story. The second will be told through a feature-length documentary called “City of a Million Dreams: The Untold Story of Funerals in New Orleans.” Twenty-two years ago, the project began when Jason Berry began filming jazz funerals and interviews with musicians. “I was frequently interrupted with my reporting on the Catholic church, but I knew I’d come back to this project,” said Jason Berry, “and in 2015 I finally got the chance.” With new funding in place, Jason decided to do something he’d never done professionally, call upon the help of his daughter to complete his team (which also includes editor and producer Tim Watson, a veteran of documentary work). “She started doing image research, scouring archival collections and old footage and photographs,” he said. Over time, Simonette rose to serve as the film’s production manager, production designer and as a producer. “I think her most significant contribution to the film is the Congo Square reenactment we did,” said Jason. “It was such a major undertaking with a lot of technical issues, and she organized the whole thing. I think she really came into her own with that work.” “We filmed out in a large field in Plaquemines Parish over three days last
In The Biz en tr epr en eu rship
Short on Solutions My notes on NOEW 2019 by keith twitchell
34 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week format. Again, events over the first three days were spread out around the city, and the final two days of “summit” were conducted in a single venue. The move to the Ace Hotel worked well, and energy during the summit phase was considerably higher than last year. The goal of being more inclusive of community remains a good one, and that goal seems to have been more successfully realized this year. New this year was the presence of the Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business as a full partner with the Idea Village in presenting NOEW. This seems like a logical collaboration and will hopefully continue going forward. Issues of race and gender equity in the entrepreneurial world were front and center throughout NOEW, something the producers should get a lot of credit for emphasizing. While the number of womenand minority-owned businesses in our region has increased significantly in recent years (though still not representative of regional demographics), revenues accruing to these enterprises as a percentage of overall sales have barely budged. In some ways this is actually discouraging, as it means more DBEs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification) are basically sharing the same tiny slice of the pie. This is just one opinion, but the panels I went to seemed clear and open about the nature of the problem, but very short on solutions. Andrea Chen of Propeller made the excellent point that “race-based problems cannot be solved by race-neutral solutions” in a discussion on “Becoming an Anti-Racist Organization.” She and her Propeller colleague Krystal Allen had some good recommendations relating to business hiring practices, such as providing job candidates with practical exercises rather than focusing so much attention on their resumes. They accurately pointed out the racial and cultural biases that are inherent in everything from college admissions practices to typical performance review mechanisms, and that while the talent pool of people of color is strong and deep, it requires more work by potential
employers to access and evaluate candidates from this pool. However, while greater workforce diversity — especially in entrepreneurial businesses — may ultimately lead to more entrepreneurial diversity, this does not directly address the current problems. I found another variation on this theme in a panel entitled “Creative Tribe: Metrics of Success.” The panel featured a diverse panel of “local” female entrepreneurs. The reason for my quotation marks is that only one of the panelists, Kelli Saulny, director of strategic partnerships for Camelback Ventures, was actually a native New Orleanian; the others have all been here seven years or less. Saulny’s observation that “genius is equally distributed, opportunity is not” seemed even more piquant in this context. The issues of gentrification that are problematic in our neighborhoods have the potential to be just as problematic in the entrepreneurial world. We are of course a welcoming city, and most certainly are happy to see talented, enterprising people bringing their visions and skills to New Orleans, but it is fair to ask whether they are creating further challenges for our home-bred talent. This panel, too, looked at the hiring process as a path to a solution, recommending that business owners make an extra effort to hire natives and longtime residents. Again, providing business experience and an income that allows an individual to consider fulfilling his/her dreams is beneficial, but does not address underlying issues of access and equity. Nevertheless, surfacing these issues is definitely a prerequisite to finding and implementing solutions, and every panelist I heard was genuinely open and honest about the need to create a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape here. Combined with the renewed energy and spirit of the 2019 version of NOEW across the board, it suggests that more direct, tangible solutions may well be germinating in the fertile minds of our amazing local entrepreneurs. n
i llustrat i on by Tony H e al e y
Keith Twitchell spent 16 years running his own business before becoming president of the Committee for a Better New Orleans. He has observed, supported and participated in entrepreneurial ventures at the street, neighborhood, nonprofit, micro- and macro-business levels.
This was the second year of the new
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In The Biz e tiq u e tt e
Summer School Tips for using National Business Etiquette Week to brush up on weak spots by Melanie Warner Spencer
36 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
a meme that author and inspirational speaker Glennon Doyle posted to Instagram on International Women’s Day, which I shared with the group. It read: “If you are standing with other women in a circle and there is a woman standing alone in your circle’s vicinity — the thing to do is notice her, smile at her, move a bit and say, ‘Hi, come join us!’ Even if she looks at you like you’re crazy — inviting her is still the thing to do. Widen your circles. All the time. Also: Horseshoes are better than circles. Leave space. Always leave space. Horseshoes of friends > Circles of friends. Life can be lonely. Stand in horseshoes.” My friends all loved the concept of horseshoes and since then, I have been trying to keep it in mind — and not just as it pertains to women. I keep reminding myself that most people are nervous about approaching a group and then in turn, when I happen to be in one of the groups, I look for others who are hanging out on the perimeter. This tactic helped me get over some of my own shyness and, more importantly, prompted me to become more inclusive. For me, compassion and empathy tend to win out where other strategies have failed. If you decide to embark upon a weeklong or even month-long practice pegged to National Business Etiquette Week, you can’t go wrong if kindness — to others and yourself — is the focus of your effort. n
i llustrat i on by Tony H e al e y
Melanie Warner Spencer is editor of New Orleans Bride and New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles and managing editor of Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile. Spencer’s ever-expanding library of etiquette books is rivaled only by her ever-ready stash of blank thank-you notes. Submit business etiquette questions to Melanie@MyNewOrleans.com.
By the time you read this, National
Business Etiquette Week — June 2 through June 8 — will be in full swing. While it’s difficult to confirm, my research indicates that The Protocol School of Washington started the weeklong initiative approximately 12 years ago in an effort to “recognize the need for proper business etiquette to compete in the growing global marketplace.” Unfortunately, I haven’t found any events designed to mark the occasion, so I encourage everyone to find their own way to celebrate. Are you at a loss? Here are a couple of suggestions: Curl up with a copy of Peter Post’s “The Etiquette Advantage in Business, 3rd edition,” to brush up on the basics. Or, you could vow to spend the week practicing a point of business etiquette that you’ve always found challenging. For example, if you notoriously forget to send thank-you notes, plan to write and send one per day to an existing or new colleague or business acquaintance. (If you are reading this post-National Business Etiquette Week, you are officially granted a homework extension and have my permission to practice all month.) The etiquette basic that I find difficult time and time again is breaking into and participating in conversations with existing groups during a networking event. Networking in general presents a lot of challenges for people like me who are ambiverts — which is a fancy way of saying that you straddle the line between being an introvert and an extrovert. Ambiverts enjoy socializing, but only so much. Once we hit the threshold, alone time and quiet activities (for me that’s reading) are essential for getting reenergized and back into the fray. Meanwhile, no matter how much the extrovert in me wants to jump into networking events with gusto, my inner introvert inevitably decides this is the perfect time for shy and awkward emotions to surface. Suddenly I’m thrust into a familiar and vicious cycle of wanting to approach a group of strangers, but struggling to muster the courage to do it. I know that I’m not alone in this plight. In fact, I had an exchange about this very thing not long ago with a group of friends. Ironically, the discussion happened not face-to-face, but rather on a Facebook thread. At the time, I was reminded of
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In The Biz mark e ti n g
Bet on Employees How strong is your employment brand? by Julia carcamo
I’ve been traveling a great deal lately
Understand what it takes to engage every
and at some point, all of these airports start to feel like the same place. Nothing has ever really stood out, except once when I noticed a Southwest Airlines marketing campaign. The headline read, “Without a heart, it’s just a machine.” Southwest’s recent brand refresh was the first for the airline in 14 years. The goal was to remind customers and employees alike that people are at the heart of everything the airline does. It spoke to the Southwest brand and how significant a role their employees play in delivering the experience they’ve promised. There has been much writing about the partnership between marketing and IT, but what about the collaboration with operations? After all, operations is truly where the brand “rubber” meets the road. More importantly, it is the employees themselves that breathe life into what we, as marketers, create. As marketers, we must consider marketing to internal customers as well as the obvious ones. Care for the quality of the work and message should be just as high, if not higher.
employee. I recently visited a client, and when I asked what was challenging them the most they said it was getting employees to know what was happening. You have to wonder if that question should be asked differently. How could they get the message out in a way that employees are willing and able to consume and retain it? In advertising, you look to understand where people are getting information, but for internal communications we often rely on leftover posters and memos near the time clock. How would that resonate with you? Plus, if you think about how you (personally) are consuming information, you’ll probably realize it’s always shifting. What makes us believe our fellow employees aren’t changing their choice of channels as well? When you provide employees with an opportunity to consume information on their terms, they will. Think beyond the poster!
How do you ensure consistent brand
38 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
teams together and encourage empowerment, engagement and improved performance. Share your goals and regularly communicate where you are and where you’re going. The difference between good brands and great brands can often be easily seen in the margins. Great brands tend to have above-average profit margins within their respective categories. In many ways, the employee brand engagement can carry you from good to great. There are many brands as examples: Zappos, Ikea, Patagonia and Starbucks, to name a few. Think about the most remarkable brand experience you’ve been a part of recently. What made it exceptional? What stood out to you and why? I bet employees had something to do with it. n
i llustrat i on by Tony H e al e y
Julia Carcamo is president and chief brand strategist at J Carcamo & Associates, specializing in brand and marketing strategy. She is also the co-founder of espNOLA, a Hispanic marketing and engagement agency. Learn more at jcarcamoassociates.com and espnola.com.
experiences? First and most importantly, your employment brand must match what you say to customers. Then you have to hire the right people for the brand. Take the time to make sure recruiters and human resources are in agreement and understanding as to precisely what the brand stands for. More than a tagline, it’s a promise made with each interaction. Next is a comprehensive on-boarding process. Be open and honest with the state of the business and what it will take to get to success. Explain your brand as a culture rather than a series of ads and brochures. Locally, you may have noticed MGM Resort’s “The Show” message on billboards and television. The campaign was an effort to reposition the company to reflect the DNA of the brand as more than a casino company, but an entertainment company. However, before the message reached you and me, it started internally as a transformation of the way the company did business — beginning with the company’s top leaders and cascading throughout the organization until all 77,000 employees were wholly engaged.
Finally, everyone wants to play a part in the success of your business. Bring your
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hot topics in southe ast Louisiana industries
perspectives healthcare / insurance / dining & entertainment
What do you do when Alzheimer’s hits someone you love?
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Perspectives h e althcar e
Alzheimer’s is currently the sixth leading cause of
death in the country. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 5.8 million Americans are affected by the disease, and that number is expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2050. Alzheimer’s is also the only disease among the leading causes of deaths in the nation that does not have a cure. Every 66 seconds an American is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and one in three seniors will die with some form of the disorder. Treatment Options
When Alzheimer’s Hits Someone You Love What do you do? What are the care options? By James Sebastien
42 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
“Alzheimer’s and other dementias are widely researched,” said Rachel Palmer of Woldenberg Village, a retirement community in New Orleans. “There are some medications on the market that are thought to ease some of the symptoms, such as a Aricept/Exelon/Razadyne/Namenda for some of the memory-related symptoms, as well as some anti-psychotics that can help calm some of the behavioral symptoms that may accompany dementia, such as Abilify, Haldol, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal and Geodon.” In addition to medication, Palmer believes one of the biggest changes in treatment is the emphasis on the importance of behavioral treatment. “Experts have found that it is extremely important to try and keep people with dementia ‘engaged’ in life, but in a gentle way that’s not overstimulating to them,” she said. “At Willow Wood at Woldenberg Village, thanks to a generous ‘quality of life’ donation, we have an amazing resource called the Snoezelen Therapy Room. It is Louisiana’s first such therapy room to be implemented in a nursing home, and it’s an amazing dementia-care sensory environment” The therapy room features a sensory magic projection area, mirror ball, bamboo fiber optics, vibro-music recliner, vibroacoustic exercise chair, passive and interactive color match wall panels, aromatherapy projects, and more. “It’s meant to be stimulating to residents with dementia, but not overwhelming to them,” she said. “It’s generally accepted that light exercise and appropriate activities can be helpful in keeping people engaged, and perhaps in some instances, keeps some symptoms at bay or slightly abated. Similar activities also strongly increase a patient’s quality of life so that they are not just sitting around all day doing nothing and being disengaged with life.” Helping a Loved One with Alzheimer’s
The first step in assisting someone you love is educating yourself. “The most important things a caregiver can do to help a loved one with Alzheimer’s is to educate
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themselves about what to expect as Alzheimer’s progresses, to remain patient and compassionate as the needs of their loved one change, and to remember to take time out from caregiving to take care of themselves,” said Jennifer O’Neill Brammell of Poydras Home, an assisted-living facility in New Orleans. Palmer adds that another crucial step is employing a technique used in the mental health field called “starting where the client (patient) is. “What this means is that we put to the side our own goals and ideals, and set realistic goals/behaviors based on where our loved one is at that moment,” she said. “It’s extremely important not to argue with someone dealing with these symptoms, and to let them live in their own reality. For example, if someone thinks they are fighting in Germany in World War II, we let them think that. If someone thinks their daughter is their granddaughter, we can gently correct them, but if they do not accept that, we let it go.” Palmer said trying to change someone’s mind only upsets them significantly and can make them paranoid and concerned about why a loved one is trying to convince them of something that they believe is wrong. “Routine is also very important for patients with dementia,” she said. “They are more likely to remember things for a lasting period if they are the same or very similar most days. At some points, any changes to routine can disturb a dementia patient.” Care Options
While some with Alzheimer’s continue to live at home or can be cared for by family members, their needs will eventually change as the disease progresses. “Sometimes families find that residential care becomes a better fit for their loved one,” said Brammell, “especially if it offers both expert memory care by trained healthcare providers and respite for the family caregiver. This can happen when care at home becomes difficult to maintain due to factors such as when a loved one starts having increased activity at night which can lead to sleep disruptions for the family, and other common yet challenging behaviors that a family member may not know how to best redirect.” Palmer said there has been an increase in local facilities offering “memory care units”, which are usually secured units equipped with a dedicated staff and special activities. “Patients with dementia are often what we call ‘elopement risks,’ meaning that they are likely to be confused and try to wander offproperty, and having them reside in a secured unit significantly reduces that risk,” she said. n
44 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
Did You Know?
Warning Signs
Some the most common symptoms of dementia include: short term memory loss; difficulty communicating; confusion; moodiness; inability to perform simple tasks of daily living; language repetition; loss of interest in activities; falling; and difficulty coping with changes.
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Perspectives i nsu ra n c e
Keeping Compliant Top 5 things you need to know about complying with OSHA record-keeping requirements. By Keith Loria
In place since 1971, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) record-keeping requirements are designed to help employers recognize workplace hazards and correct hazardous conditions by keeping track of work-related injuries and illnesses and their causes. The requirements, however, are far from stagnant. With changes happening all the time, it’s easy for companies to forget regulations, or not be aware, of everything that needs to be done to stay in compliance. The following are tips from local insurance and legal professionals.
1
Comply from the top. Kelley Calandro, insurance and risk advisor with Brown & Brown of Louisiana, LLC, says the highestranking official onsite at the company should be reviewing injury logs frequently and certifying the logs at the end of the year. OSHA defines a company executive as someone who “owns the organization, acts as an officer at the organization, is the highest-ranking official working at the establishment or the immediate supervisor of the highest-ranking official.” “Having a company safety manager or administrative assistant maintaining the logs and signing off may not satisfy the requirements, unless that person is also a company executive,” Calandro says.
46 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
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You’ve got to keep up. Sean Morrison, managing attorney with Sean Morrison Law Offices LLC in Slidell, says the one rule you can count on is that the rules change every year. “OSHA requirements are constantly shifting and it’s important to keep up with all the changes,” he says. “I recommend that unless you hire someone to keep track of it all to check in with the OSHA website at least once a year. It’s tough for attorneys to keep up with all the changes, let alone a business.”
3
No more required electronic
recordkeeping. Speaking of changes, during the government shutdown in January 2019, OSHA rescinded the Electronic Recordkeeping rule. “The rescission eliminates the requirement for companies with 250 employees or more — and companies with 20 employees or more that are in OSHA’s high-risk categories — to electronically submit information from the OSHA 300 and 301,” Calandro says. “However, they are still required to electronically submit the OSHA 300A information annually. The deadline for submission is March 2 from the previous year covered by the form, but a paper
copy of the 300A is required to be posted on-site in a conspicuous area by February 1 until April 30 each year.”
4
Don’t assume you don’t have
to participate. “The biggest mistakes that businesses make include not understanding that they need to complete and maintain OSHA records or knowing that they need to complete and maintain OSHA records but choosing not to,” says Justin Uebinger, owner and president of Advanced HSE Consulting, LLC, — a Lafayettebased company that provides services to LCI Worker’s Comp. “Understanding the 29 CFR 1904 Standard on recordkeeping is vital as impacted employers need to understand what constitutes an OSHA recordable, how to record it properly on the correct forms, the timeframe in which it must be recorded, posting requirements, etc.” Morrison adds that some businesses, like grocery stores or museums, may not realize they are required to report instances, and if employers required to report don’t report issues OSHA can issue heavy fines and citations.
5
Details matter. Often, employers
do not provide enough details about the injuries that occur. This could be problematic and could even cause OSHA to issue fines.
“The employer must provide a complete and accurate description of each injury or illness, including the parts of the body affected and the object or substance that injured the person,” Calandro says. “Be as specific as possible. For example, ‘cut on hand’ is not specific enough. A better description would state, ‘laceration on index finger due to contact with sharp edge on welded metal.’” Another example of a recordkeeping mistake is failure to correctly count the number of days away from work or the number of days of job transfer or restriction on Form 300, which then affects the accuracy of information on lines K and L of the 300A. Employers must count all calendar days that an employee had restrictions or a job transfer, as well as days away from work, beginning from the day after the incident occurred. “This means that you count weekends and holidays too, even if the employee would not have worked on those days,” she says, adding, “You may stop counting days of restricted work activity or days away from work once the total of either or the combination of both reaches 180 days.” It may be confusing when it comes to whether a case is reportable vs. recordable. Calandro notes all workrelated injuries or illnesses should be reported following the company’s internal procedures, but only those that meet OSHA’s definition for a recordable injury should be included in the OSHA injury log. “Your policy should require reporting of all incidents (including near-misses), injuries requiring first-aid treatment only, and those occurring during voluntary participation in an activity,” she says. “The reported incidents should then be evaluated to determine whether they are recordable under OSHA. A lot of times a case simply requires first aid and your insurance may pay a claim since an employee was seen by a doctor, but that does not make it recordable.” n
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Perspectives di n i n g & en t ertai n m en t
Think Jingle Bells This June Traditionally a slow time for hospitality, summer is the perfect time to get your company’s holiday party sorted. By Jessica Rosgaard
As the calendar creeps toward the
start of summer, most people are thinking about graduations and vacation. But June is actually a great time to plan your company’s holiday event. The No. 1 reason to book your holiday party as early as possible is to get your preferred venue, date and time. Michele Caswell-Adams is the director of operations at the Capital on Baronne — a new event space housed in an historic building in the Central Business District. She says it’s not too soon to think about your next holiday party once the last guest leaves your current holiday party. “I always encourage holiday events to book as soon as they’re finished,” she says. “That way they can hand-pick the venues that they want.” Caitlin Cooley, director of sales and marketing at The Bourbon Orleans Hotel, agrees. She says a lot of hotels have repeat holiday clients. “The sooner you book, the more likely you’re going to be able to get not only your preferred date but your preferred venue and your preferred event space in that venue,” she says. As New Orleans becomes an increasingly popular destination for weddings and all other types of events, availability for prime dates and spaces can be tough to come by.
48 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
“Brides are looking for those weekend holiday times as well,” says Victoria Lacayo, event sales manager at Pythian Market. “We know that’s a huge market and they plan usually a year or more in advance...Along with the actual wedding date will come the rehearsal dinner and all of the other dates brides could be booking.” By booking in what are typically slower months in the hospitality industry in Southeast Louisiana you are also giving yourself and your event coordinator, more time to focus on planning. “During the quieter months we’re able to kind of tie down all the loose ends associated with the party planning,” says Lacayo, who adds that checking the big items off your party planning “to do” list early means you can relax. “We can have a full plan set up, all the itineraries set for these holiday parties, and by the time the
actual party rolls around, it’s just a quick check-in and we’re good to go.” “It’s just like any other event,” adds Cooley. “You don’t necessarily have to plan the theme, and you don’t have to plan what you’re going to eat, but as long as you plan where you’re going to go and get it locked down you don’t necessarily have to be in the holiday mindset.” The Early Bird Gets the Savings
Aside from easing the stress of holiday event planning, booking early can ease your bottom line. Alyssa Shaheen is the senior catering manager at Bourbon Orleans, whose incentives for early bookings might include a complimentary holiday-theme cocktail that will be passed out to guests upon arrival, or holiday up-lighting. The Bourbon Orleans also offers early planners the option to spread out payments over time.
“We could do a series of deposits,” says Cooley, “so if you’re having a large event of $10,000 you can pay $2,000 every couple of months as opposed to the full $10,000 a month before.” Pythian Market offers a straight sales discount to anyone who books in June and July, and Emeril’s offers a $100 voucher that holiday event planners can use on their event, or as a bonus for themselves. Top Tips for Smooth Event Planning
While you don’t have to finalize all the details, there are a few details about your event you should be ready to present to the venue up front to make booking and planning run smoothly. Cooley says the main things you should know are approximately how many people you expect and what kind of budget you’re working with. “Then you can just lock something in and focus on the little details later,” she says.
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Who is coming? Don’t stress if you don’t know an exact head count six months in advance, says Sandy Odom, senior sales manager at Emeril’s. “It’s always good to have a general idea of how many people you’re going to be inviting or will attend,” she says. “That way you can reserve a spot — whether it’s private or semiprivate — that can accommodate your entire group and maybe give yourself a couple of extra chairs for wiggle room for a couple of plus-ones.”
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Is privacy important? Knowing
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Take advantage of existing relationships. Check with your
if you want private space or semi-private space will also speed up the process, says Blair Ramelli, director of sales at Brechtel Hospitality — the restaurant management and development company behind Fulton Alley, Copper Vine and Vintage Rock Club. “That will help the venue get you the proposal that you’re asking for with specific details.”
event planner for a list of preferred vendors for features like entertainment and photo booths that aren’t offered in-house. You’ll benefit from the relationship and trust that your site coordinator has with the outside vendors on their preferred list. “We’ve got relationships with [vendors] that are reliable, are going to show up, be on time and that know the property,” says Cooley.
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What do you want to spend? A
budget is a key factor for any event, regardless of size. Knowing your budget before you talk to your event manager sets the starting point for the planning conversation. “[Knowing a budget] gives me an idea of what a company’s expectation is,” Odom says. “And then that allows us to figure out which restaurant [Emeril’s property] might be the best direction for them if it comes down to budget or location.”
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Look for locations with a dedicated event manager.
When you’re selecting a location — whether it be a restaurant, hotel, or event space — having a dedicated event manager will help keep your event on track. “That event manager will take the stress out of all of the details for your event so the planner can actually show up, have a good time and not worry about executing the actual party,” says Ramelli.
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Make sure you know what’s included, and what’s not.
Another item to keep in mind when selecting a location is that some venues are self-contained, while others are not. 50 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
“Think about maybe looking for venues that can include food, beverage, seating, things like that that will make your event planning process run a little bit more smoothly,” says Lacayo. Remember, however, that while self-contained locations can simplify matters, hotels and restaurants that require you to use their in-house services also limits your options for shopping around when it comes to vendors.
Communication is key. Remember
that your event manager or sales manager isn’t just there to make the deal in June and then leave you hanging until the main event in December. Maintaining communication with your hotel or venue representative throughout the process can help prevent unnecessary headaches. “Ask questions,” says Cooley. “The worst thing is when somebody plans something that won’t fit and they bring it to you and you have to tell them it won’t work. Staying in communication is the best bet.” And, Ramelli adds, don’t forget about the needs of your guests. “Is it accessible to everybody — is there an elevator or a ramp? Does the venue work with the groups and let them extend their time if they’re having fun? That’s something that shows the value to the customer.” n
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The Pervasive
of the
It’s been 110 years since Joseph Haspel Sr. created the first seersucker suits in New Orleans. Now his great-granddaughter is taking the company into the future. by Suzanne Pfefferle Tafur photos by Jeffery Johnston
52 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
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If you meet Laurie Haspel while wearing a seersucker suit, make sure you’re honest about where it came from, because Haspel, the CEO and fourth-generation owner of Haspel clothing, will quickly discover the truth. ¶ “Often, somebody will say: ‘I’ve got this great Haspel suit.’ So, of course I have to look inside at the labeling,” says Haspel with a laugh. “It may not be our suit, but they associate seersucker with Haspel and think: ‘If I’m wearing seersucker, I’m wearing Haspel.’ But at the end of the day, if they’re associating seersucker with us, then we’ve done part of our job.”
Steamy Beginnings For Haspel’s great-grandfather, Joseph Haspel, Sr., inspiration to create the iconic suit came from his time spent in New Orleans factories before the advent of air conditioning. In an effort to stay cool, factory workers were wearing lightweight overalls made of a fabric called seersucker. Haspel saw this and felt that the breathable fabric could be elevated into a dressy ensemble, appropriate for the boardroom, a restaurant or anywhere else a jacket was required. After designing his first suit, Haspel discovered that he could layer the fabric and cut more than one suit pattern at a time. In 1909, his new company began manufacturing seersucker suits in a facility on Broad Street near Esplanade Avenue. The menswear clothing company quickly became famous throughout the South for its suits made of lightweight, summery fabrics like poplin, linen, and — you guessed it — seersucker. The suits also quickly became a hit among preppy Ivy -eague students in the Northeast.
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Haspel suits were promoted as low-maintenance, has close to 15 employees, spanning the executive, “wash and ready,” a fact Joseph Haspel Sr. set out to IT, marketing and administrative departments. prove during a stunt in the summer of 1946. After Haspel stresses that the company will always donning a Haspel suit, the company founder dove be a New Orleans brand, although headquarters into the Atlantic Ocean. He then hung the suit to are in Baton Rouge, some employees — including dry and wore it later that day for cocktails. the public relations team — work in New York Joseph Haspel Sr.’s sons, one of whom was City, the fabrics are made in Italy, and the suits Joseph Jr., took over the company in the late are produced in Tennessee. 1950s, and continued to promote the virtues of Over the past several decades, the Haspel brand the wash-and-wear fabrics and blends that were has evolved and expanded its reach, amassing clients both comfortable and stylish. from coast to coast. President Harry Truman wore In 1977, with not a single member of Haspel, and so have Hollywood celebrithe family’s third generation available ties, including Clark Gable and Cary to run the company, Haspel Jr. sold the Grant, and more recently Paul Rudd, company. But it in the mid-1990s, when Jon Hamm, Jeff Bridges and Jonah Hill. Since taking over her family's the brand went up for sale again, the The danger with having an iconic family swooped back in and bought it. company in 2002, brand steeped in history, however, Laurie Haspel has Laurie Haspel, who had been working aimed to expand its can be that your client base is aging for a major clothing manufacturer in reach and draw in a right along with you. But how do new generation of Atlanta, moved back to Louisiana and you preserve the heritage of a brand clientele. joined the team. She became president while drawing in the younger generaof Haspel in 2002. The company now tion? It’s a challenge many companies
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have faced — think the “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile” commercials. Since taking over as the company’s first female CEO, Laurie Haspel has been tackling this issue head-on for her family’s brand.
A New Model for a New Era Under Haspel’s leadership, the company moved from operating as solely a manufacturer and wholesaler to a direct-to-consumer model in 2017, which allows customers to shop Haspel’s entire inventory online. “I’ve always wanted a one-stop-shop, where the consumer can find anything and everything Haspel offers, including sportswear and accessories,” says Haspel, explaining that individual retailers are ever only able to carry a portion of Haspel’s extensive inventory. Rubensteins on Canal Street is considered Haspel’s “flagship” store, and most significant partner. Their relationship spans decades. Although Rubensteins
“Seersucker is essentially what put our company on the map, and it’s still what we’re known for,” says Haspel. “Plenty of other brands have entered the seersucker market, but no one else will ever hold the title of being the originator of the seersucker suit.” The voice of the brand, Haspel offers creative direction and crafts clever marketing strategies to spread Haspel’s message about who they are and what they sell. The creative process begins with Haspel’s merchandising team traveling to Italy to find the right fabrics for both the company’s tailored collection and sportswear products. Because Joseph Haspel Sr. was the innovator of technical fabrics (fabrics created primarily for function, not aesthetics), Haspel says the scouts search for mills that offer stretch, resistance and other technical fabric properties. “Once we gather fabric swatches, we sit down as a team to whittle down the offerings of the upcoming
“Haspel is all about clothing men for a good time,” says CEO Laurie Haspel. “We’re very mindful of our consumers.” S ee r s u c k e r Fac ts
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Seersucker was popular in Britain’s warm weather colonies, including British India.
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The puckered fabric was part of summer service uniforms worn by the first female U.S. Marines.
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The Rolling Stones’ song “West Coast Promo Man” talks about a seersucker suit. Source: Town & Country Magazine
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has always carried Haspel’s clothing, the downtown store recently began selling Haspel’s full selection of spring and summer tailored items, which includes classic suits made of seersucker, poplin, linen and pincord — fabrics that Haspel has produced since the early days. Haspel also designs sports coats made of a cotton blend containing silk or bamboo — more appropriate for cold weather. Those items appeal to customers who live in the North: New York City is one of Haspel’s largest markets. “We’re trying to be a little more seasonless, if you will,” she says. “Most of our clothes are meant to be worn all year long,” she adds, noting that the “lightweight clothes can be easily layered, no matter what season it is.” Seersucker is still a ubiquitous element in most Haspel suits, even when it’s not obvious. The company once created a seersucker wool blend, and Haspel’s navy and black seersucker tuxedo is a bestseller. “People associate seersucker as being a blue and white stripe, or a tan and white stripe,” she says. “But truthfully, seersucker doesn’t necessarily have to be a stripe,” explaining that seersucker is not a fabric, but actually a process where fibers in the material are woven in a way that causes the material to pucker in places and lift off the skin. In order to remain relevant year-round, Haspel offers seersucker suits in a wide variety of hues, from darker tones for winter months, to lighter spring and summer options.
season,” says Haspel, noting that her “tweaking” usually begins after she receives the first set of samples. “Sometimes a garment does not come to life until you see it as a sample, and that’s when my creative side kicks in.” As for digital marketing, Haspel and her team have carefully identified the profiles of their customers, and are targeting them with tailored messaging. One of the company’s most valuable resources is its robust list of consumer emails. Men of all ages comprise Haspel's client base. “We really make something for everyone,” says Haspel. “We can take that same sport coat, that same jacket, and put it on all three of our age demographics and style it just a little bit differently, and it will still have the same good look.” Haspel believes much of the company’s recent success stems from its digital marketing and branding efforts. The company’s website and Instagram pages are swathed with images of stylish men, smiling and socializing with friends – often over beers cupped by seersucker coozies. But many of the most prominently featured clothing items are not even made of seersucker. Haspel’s website promotes and sells cotton buttondowns with colorful prints and patterns, polo shirts, stretch poplin pants, and a wide range of accessories, including: American Optical aviator-style sunglasses with a Haspel logo, Terrapin stationery, Mignon Faget cufflinks, Mulholland leather bags, and G.H. Bass & Co. shoes.
H ow to Wea r S ee r s u c k e r ( Acco r d i n g to a Has p e l Des i g ne r)
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Make sure you find the right size. Since seersucker has volume, you should choose a suit that’s tailored, and fits well.
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The hem of your pants should be ankle length.
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Seersucker shorts should look casual and comfortable, rather than stiff.
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If you’re wearing a seersucker suit for your wedding, consider one without the traditional blue and white stripes. The puckered fabric is available in tonal blues and even black.
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Celebrating 110 Years in Style In celebration of National Seersucker Day June 13, Haspel is launching its Archival Collection, which will feature vintage-style fabrics and silhouettes available on Haspel.com. Only 110 pieces will be produced, and each garment will be numbered and feature a unique Haspel label. This fall, Haspel will also debut a formal collection featuring new tonal seersuckers in dark color combinations, along with tartan dinner jackets with
grosgrain lapels, a white cotton, shawl-collared dinner jacket and velvet dinner jackets. The collection will be available online. “While seersucker continues to be our mainstay and what people originally come to us for, they find so many other things that are relevant to their everyday lifestyle,” said Laurie. “You don’t have to be in seersucker just to be wearing Haspel.” The labeling says it all.
Although associated with a striped print, seersucker is not a fabric but a process where fibers in the material are woven in a way that causes the material to pucker in places and lift off the skin.
For a casual look, wear your seersucker suit over a simple T-shirt. If you’re headed to a dressy affair, go for a crisp white shirt and a tie with texture (think linen). But don’t wear a seersucker tie. Source: GQ
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It’s the (Cultural) Economy, Stupid
New Orleans is known for its culture, but that culture is being threatened, and its loss could cost our economy dearly. By Kim Singletary portraits By greg miles
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60 / Biz New Orleans / June 2019
Q: A:
Jeanne Nathan and Kurt Weigle are, in many ways, very different people,
but they are united in their mission to see the culture of New Orleans promoted and celebrated as an official part of the city's brand. A New York native, Nathan worked for decades as a journalist, including as a broadcast journalist for WDSU-TV, before becoming the executive director of the Creative Alliance of New Orleans (CANO), whose first act was founding the Contemporary Arts Center in 1974. Over more than four decades she has launched numerous cultural events, along with the careers of many local artists, while working tirelessly to bring attention to the importance of New Orleans’ cultural community. Kurt Weigle hails from Michigan, where he earned a master’s degree in urban planning. He has spent the last 16 years as president and CEO of the Downtown Development District (DDD), an economic development organization that focuses on place-based strategies to retain and attract industries to New Orleans. Under his leadership, Downtown has become the center of the city’s tech growth, has welcomed two new hospitals and over $7 billion in new real estate development, and has doubled its population. Decades before the massive post-Katrina growth of both Downtown and the creative industry, Nathan and Weigle discovered they shared a common passion for the importance of arts and culture that stemmed from their home towns. “I came from Detroit, which of course is known for Motown, but it was so much more, too,” said Weigle. It was the home of techno and electronic music. It was this cultural hub and I was always frustrated when I was there that the business community did not get behind that, did not seem to understand the value of it. You had this worldwide brand that you're just letting sit there. So when I got to New Orleans, which has an even bigger international brand in culture, I said, 'Why are we not doing more of it here?'" Nathan shared the same feelings when she arrived in New Orleans. “I came here first in 1972 doing political work and, having been in New York and being so familiar with Soho, I remember coming down for some reason on a bus down Camp street and looking at it thinking, ‘Oh my God, I have been in the heart of the business district and this place is dead. What is wrong here? Where are the arts? Why aren’t the arts capitalizing on being so adjacent to the business community?’ That was what fired me up.” While the DDD and CANO have been working together since for decades, spurred Post-Katrina Creative Boom by a recent explosion of cities throwing resources into their cultural economies, Nathan and Weigle are now working together to launch a comprehensive study Between 2005 and 2016, the total number of jobs in the to better understand the scope and depth of New Orleans’ cultural economy. cultural industries in New The result, they hope, will be a strategic plan developed with the help of other Orleans increased by 59%. municipal, nonprofit, economic development and cultural interests that finally Source: 7th New Orleans Cultural Economy Snapshot effectively positions New Orleans in the role it was meant to be — as one of the world’s leading cultural centers.
What is the cultural economy? Who are we talking about?
Jeanne Nathan: I’ll tell you what it's not. It's not just visual and performing arts. It's pretty much all of the disciplines that require a lot of creative thinking. That includes, design, architecture, interior design, landscape design, industrial design, graphic design, any of the more commercial uses of art-thinking tech. A lot of the tech people will like to isolate tech, but tech is a platform. And what is it a platform for? Content. And where does content come from? The creative industry. Kurt Weigle: Think about a video game. We always think about the coding that goes into it, but the actual interface with the customer is designed, right? You've got to have the artists to produce that content.
Q: A:
How big is the cultural economy in this region?
KW: Well, look at the importance of hospitality to our economy. A large part of the reason we are a hospitality draw is because of things like our culinary arts, architecture and music. You could say that our entire hospitality economy is based on cultural industries. That's one of the reasons why this is so important to the DDD. Downtown New Orleans is the largest job center in not just the region, but in the entire state of Louisiana. We can only maintain that if we continue to invest in industries in which we've got some sort of competitive advantage. It’s like if you were a farmer and your biggest cash crop was soybeans. Would you decide not to fertilize your field and just let it ride? Of course not. But that to me is generally what we've been doing in New Orleans for decades now when it comes to our cultural economy, and it doesn't make any sense. When you talk to people around the world, they understand and respect our brand as being a cultural hub. This is what people know about us. Why would we not invest in something where we're starting out with such strong competitive advantage?
Q: A:
How specfically can we support our cultural economy?
JN: I've made the argument that one of the things that we need more than anything else, is more money infused into the marketing of what's happening here culturally — the CAC, the Ogden, Ashé, St. Claude Avenue, you know, more specific support to arts organizations and artists is really critical.
Q: A:
Where do you see that support coming from?
KW: When you look at places that have come up with a strong vision for driving this part of the economy and have a strong plan, oftentimes they have a dedicated service department, right? When you've got a dedicated source of revenue to do that, that's why you do it, because you're investing in your top assets.
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JN: It's just that: It is literally assigning a new revenue source that can support the operating and marketing, operating of arts institutions in venues and direct marketing for events, artists and organizations. The last I checked, Louisiana ranked 26th in the nation when it comes to supporting the arts. Think about that. We're talking here about how worldwide we have the image and the brand of being this important cultural force and we're 26th in the country. There's obviously a disconnect.
Q:
According to CANO’s seventh New Orleans Cultural Economy Snapshot, postKatrina, between 2005 and 2016, the number of jobs in the cultural industries increased by 59%. What did that look like? What sectors increased the most?
A:
JN: First of all, let me be clear that those numbers come from the city of New Orleans. We actually believe that the numbers are even higher, much higher. And one of the things that we're hoping to do going forward is find ways to count deeper. And that's going to require really getting to creatives who are not on the books because those numbers are based primarily on Department of Labor statistics which will count an artist as a server in a restaurant if that’s where they currently receive a majority of their income. Where was that growth? I say across all fields. There's more theater in this city now than ever. There are more visual arts galleries in the cities than ever. St. Claude Avenue, for example, was [an] absolutely dead-in-the-water area for all the time I lived in New Orleans until after Katrina. But getting people into those galleries and buying artwork is another part of it. It's getting people to think about actually buying art. What are the reasons why markets like Los Angeles or New York are stronger for artists? It’s because you have more wealth and people who are more attuned to buying art. You don’t have to be a hedge-fund manager to buy art though. If you can buy a suit, you can buy art.
Q: A:
If we have a strong cultural community, what is the problem?
KW: We know for a fact that a lot of the culture bearers in this city are living on very meager resources. They're living in places where they could be under threat within the next year of being driven out of their neighborhoods by rising rents, for instance. That's the kind of thing we've got to pay attention to because if we drive them all out to Slidell because they can't afford to live in the city, for instance, that is not good for us. A lot of it may be just give them more income by selling more of their craft, whatever that may be. So they can afford a higher rent. I'm not necessarily saying we need to control the rents. I'm saying we need to put more money in the pockets of our culture bearers, of our artists in general to allow them to continue to be an integral part of our community.
JN: One of the dilemmas of the art world is that when artists move into a neighborhood, it changes the dynamics and the housing values. Next thing you know, a house that might've sold in Marigny or the Bywater for $40,000 is now $400,000. When that happens, it gets harder for artists to stay here.
anywhere in the world. They're not tied to where the iron or the railroads are. So, the places that will win are the places that can give them the quality of life that they demand.
According to another CANO report, more than 60 cities have initiatives aimed at enhancing their attractiveness to creatives. Who's doing it that we should really be looking at and saying, “This is are our competition and they're jumping ahead?”
KW: I think the first thing we all need to do — business, government, the philanthropic community — is we need to have a better understanding of where culture is and how big it is. We can't come up with a plan for how to support it unless we know where it is and how it works. One of the ideas that Jeanne has promoted that I support strongly is doing a census of the cultural economy in the city. We need support for that and that’s going to take resources, money, largely to hire professionals who have done this sort of thing in other places. That's a good place to start. What will come from that is a plan. Beyond that, we've got to get our vision straight. We've got to have a story that is consistent that we all buy into. When you see this pattern, even in subtle ways repeated throughout the entire community, it really starts to set in. I think that's what we need. When you see that brand express itself in almost everything the community does, then you're reinforcing the brand and you're basically nurturing the next generation. When somebody comes to our town, they may not even be able to verbalize it, but they feel that the arts and culture are important here. That is our hook in them to get them coming back time and time again. JN: I want to emphasize that we're at a tipping point, and that there is change occurring. You've got GNO Inc., and the music initiative that they're doing, plus the New Orleans Business Alliance committing. You've got an organization called MaCCNO (Musica and Culture Coalition of New Orleans), also looking at the music business. You've got The Ella Project and Art's Council New Orleans. You've also got the city of New Orleans — our mayor for the first time ever had a transition committee called creative industries made up of everybody from culture bearers to people who are professionally working in the creative industries. That was huge. I think the stars are aligned right now. The time is right.
Q: A:
JN: Cities like Denver, Cleveland, Jackson, Mississippi, Birmingham, Phoenix — they’re all chasing the creative industries. You have a level of competition that did not exist 10 years ago. We have to really pay attention and we don't have a lot of time to catch up. Unlike other industries, you can't push creative work offshore. It's place-based, so it's all about making sure that your place is welcoming. Take a city like Birmingham, which has made this really incredible, very intentional effort to recognize the creative industry and grow it, just like they were very intentional about attracting the steel industry at one point from Pennsylvania. That industry has since gone offshore, so they had to replace it. They've replaced it first with the medical industry, and now they’re going after the creatives. KW: We may argue that a place like Birmingham has 1/10 the resources we have, right? You may not be far off if you said that in terms of cultural resources. But what they have very clearly that we do not yet have — they have a shared vision between the business community, the artists, all their culture bearers and the elected officials. They have a story and they're all telling that story. And that's extraordinarily powerful. So why would we not — with so many more resources — bring our entire community together... to a common vision, a common story, and then start telling that story for the world in a better way?
Q: A:
How important is the creative economy for businesses looking to recruit employees?
Q: A:
How can businesses help? What kind of things should they be doing?
JN: There was a study done — I want to say it was in 1990 in New York [University] at the Stern School of Business — on why companies choose to come to or stay in a city. There were two top factors. The first was where the CEO lives. No. 2 was the cultural resources of the city. This was The Creative Economy is a Draw partially the lifestyle issue of having for Homebuyers theater and museums and places 38% of U.S. homeowners (50.7 million households) to go, but right in there with that rated living convenient to arts and cultural events as was the ability for a business to “important” (27%) or “very important” utilize creative talent to promote Those who affirmed the importance of living convenient their business. to arts and cultural events were more likely to be KW: Everyone is competing for paying a premium for their housing. the best minds, regardless of the Source: 2015 American Housing Survey conducted by the National field. Well many of those minds Endowment for the Arts and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can do their work from almost
Top 10 Cities with the Most Creative Jobs Per Capita 1. Los Angeles 2. New York 3. Seattle 4. Minneapolis 5. Portland 6. New Orleans 7. Milwaukee 8. Kansas City 9.San Francisco 10. Boston Source: Homes.com Creative City Index, 2017
The Cultural Industry — By the Numbers In 2016, New Orleans’ cultural industries accounted for 37,793 jobs at 1,718 cultural businesses, including 869 restaurants and specialty food stores, 141 art galleries and 136 live music venues. 136 festivals were attended by an estimated 3 million people. Source: 7th New Orleans Cultural Economy Snapshot
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Southe ast louisiana businesses in full color
from the lens GREAT WORKSPACES / WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT? / MAKING A MATCH / ON THE JOB
Four years in the making, Hotel Peter & Paul is an adaptive reuse success story in the Marigny.
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From The Lens gr e at workspac e s
Holy Ground Hotel Peter & Paul brings new life to historic church, rectory, school and convent in the Marigny by Melanie Warner Spencer photos by sara essex bradley
Hotel Peter & Paul opened in the fall of 2018
to much chatter in the hospitality community, as well as the travel, foodie and trend-spotting communities. Each group followed the four-year restoration of the Marigny neighborhood church and rectory — both designed by noted New Orleans architect Henry Howard — as well as the school and convent. The project was undertaken by New Orleans resident Nathalie Jordi and her partners,
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Brooklyn, New York, design firm ASH NYC. The group worked locally with New Orleans-based studioWTA architectural firm, which is well-versed in adaptive reuse, to transform the property into a chic, 71-guest room boutique hotel. Since opening, it has been covered by outlets including Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Lonely Planet, Garden & Gun, Condé Nast Traveler and Afar, and has topped various “best” lists. In
addition to the guest rooms, the property includes meeting and event spaces, retail, and a food and beverage program by the team at Bacchanal that includes The Elysian Bar, as well as a coffee shop. On the day of this reporter’s visit, Jordi, whose Mother Superior title is a cheeky nod to the property’s past, incorporated inspecting a tile replacement in one of the guestroom bathrooms into the interview and property tour. While she
clearly takes a hands-on approach and has a meticulous attention to detail, Jordi is most concerned with the guest experience. “People come here and they think it’s going to be beautiful, but what I care about is, did they feel cherished? Did they feel taken care of ?” she says. “We’re looking for people who are curious about getting to know the city; who are attracted to New Orleans for the same reasons I am — the culture, food, architecture and landscape.” Each room includes a copy of “Snippets of New Orleans” by Emma Fick. The book centers on New Orleans cultural traditions, such as Carnival krewes and historic events, including Hurricane Katrina. “We want it to be immersive,” says Jordi. “We want to plunge guests into what makes the city special.” Jordi says she and the hotel’s management team have benefitted from New Orleans’ wealth of hospitality professionals, who, she says, behave like these buildings belong to them, too. “It warms my heart to see a member of the staff stop and pick up a piece of paper
The Hotel Peter & Paul in the Marigny has 71 guest rooms. The property also includes meeting and event spaces, retail, The Elysian Bar and a coffee shop. Each floor in the school house is named by color. Guest rooms are decorated employing that floor’s signature color and feature a mixture of antiques sourced from France and Belgium, along with pieces from local artisans. The property includes four buildings: the church and rectory — both designed by noted New Orleans architect Henry Howard — as well as the school and convent.
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The food and beverage program at The Elysian Bar — a James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalist — is manned by the team at Bacchanal in Bywater. The courtyard off the bar offers hotel, bar and outside café patrons a lush outdoor escape.
At A Glance
Hotel Peter & Paul Location
2317 Burgundy St. Date of opening
November 2018 Size
50,000 square feet of indoor space in the four buildings (all floors). 75,000 including the parking lot / landscaping / etc. Number of Employees
27 (not including Elysian Bar staff) Person in Charge
Nathalie Jordi, Mother Superior
off the floor,” she says. “I feel lucky that we have this [work] atmosphere.” There are more than a few challenges specific to the day-to-day operations, and care and maintenance of an historic property that is filled with a mixture of 700 vintage furniture pieces and antiques sourced from France and Belgium, as well as a host of custom pieces made by local artisans. “This is a really spread-out site with four buildings,” says Jordi. “There is a lot of running around. It wasn’t built to be a hotel. We bought a lot of vintage furniture that has withstood revolutions … but was built for much smaller people. We are learning to be more efficient in a place that’s not conducive to that.”
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The team has also worked to be part of the neighborhood and community. The church is frequently the setting for yoga and Pilates classes, as well as musical performances and theater and improvisational workshops. Jordi says the private events held in the space subsidize cultural events which are free to community groups. Additionally, former nuns and people from the neighborhood frequently stop by to share stories, including memories about their family members who were married at the site or children who attended the school. In the coming months, Jordi hopes to discern the mission for the church space. She says that up to this point, they have relied on groups to come to them and have
seen several creative uses of the church but that she knows there’s more they can do. She adds that she’s also always looking for ways to improve the systems and the property as a whole. “I’m really grateful this is the one we’ve been able to inhabit and that the neighborhood trusted us with it,” says Jordi. “Also the fact that the city protected these buildings. We certainly see ourselves as being part of that tradition, but someone came before us. It’s a place that has meant so much to so many people.” n
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From The Lens why did n ’ t i thi n k of that ?
Haute Topic HauteWork fashions provide form and function for women in the workplace by Ashley McLellan photos by sara essex bradley
When petroleum engineer Jaime Glas
first put on the bulky, made-for-men overalls at her first internship at Chevron in Bakersfield, California, in 2010, she instantly knew there had to be a better option, and that she was going to have to create it. It wasn’t until after graduating from Louisiana State University with degrees in petroleum engineering and international trade and finance — when her work again required the ill-fitting attire — that she really started moving forward on her idea. Since launching HauteWork in January of 2018, the New Orleans resident has been providing a wide array of styles, colors and sizes for women looking for flame-resistant, safety uniforms that fit their bodies and fashion preferences. “We have sold to women from over 100 companies now,” said Glas. “Primarily these companies are in the oil and gas industry, but we have sold to many electricians and welders as well. We even outfitted the welder babe on Mythbusters.” In just over a year, HauteWork’s sales have extended across the United States and into Canada, with overseas companies exploring options, as well. “Sales are primarily in the Gulf Coast region, but really all over,” she said. “We had our first sale in Nebraska this morning.” While women currently make up 29 percent of the STEM workplace nationally, their numbers continue to grow, with the lack of practical resources for women being felt in research fields and on the job. This past March, NASA was forced to cancel its first all-women space walk for
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Petroleum engineer Jaime Glas created HauteWork, a line of fashionforward fire resistant coveralls and uniforms to fill a need for clothing that fit a woman’s smaller frame, while also being stylish. HauteWork offers a variety of styles and colors, such as “Logan” Lilac, “Gianna” green, “Olga” orange and “Carrie” navy. All options are UL certified and meet NFPA standards.
fyi
Did You Know? Women currently make up 29 percent of the science and engineering workforce nationwide. Source: According to a report from the National Girls Collaborative Project and the National Science Foundation’s 2016 Science and Engineering Indicators
a lack of properly fitting spacesuits (which are only available in medium, large and extra-large sizes). Feedback from customers, while positive, took a while to get going, said Glas. “In the beginning, some women were skeptical because they didn’t want to stand out. But I think the recent women’s movement has helped. It’s ok to be feminine. Women are less afraid to be themselves in the workplace,” she said. “They don’t mind standing out.” HauteWork sales have been 100 percent word-of-mouth, with some customers returning to try new styles and colors, sold on the fit, comfort and flexibility of options. “They love the fit. When I started selling the first year, it was all individual women who had saved up to buy the suits themselves,” Glas said. The company currently offers four jumpsuits, as well as jogger pants, two T-shirt styles and overalls, plus shoes and safety glasses, with more designs in the works. Prices range from $150 to $200 for suits and overalls, $20 for sunglasses, and $125 for safety shoes. According to Glas, her bestselling colors are gray and blue — dictated
primarily by company requirements — and her top-selling suit remains the Flex Suit. “We have three more garments coming out this summer for a specialized line,” Glas said. “We also have five or so more styles that have been developed that we will be rolling out later this year. We started marketing the jumpsuit first, because proper women’s fitting coveralls was the most neglected in the market. We will now be focusing more on separates through the end of 2019.” Response to the HauteWork accessories has been especially well received by both women and men in the industry, according to Glas. “I’m sure the fashion aspect has something to do with it, but most of our customers like [our work shoes] because of how comfortable they are. I used to wear steel-toe shoes often, and it’s tough to find a comfy pair. These are also very light, so you can travel with them easily,” she said. “We’ve actually sold quite a few of our safety glasses to men. They offer a little more style.” Glas said the idea and motivation behind HauteWork was somewhere at the crux of necessity and passion. “I have always loved fashion and even took some fashion and sewing courses in college,
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“We have sold to women from over 100 companies now. Primarily these companies are in the oil and gas industry, but we have sold to many electricians and welders as well. We even outfitted the welder babe on Mythbusters.” Jaime Glas, HauteWork Founder
HauteWork’s most popular style is the “Flex” suit, which is available in nine colors and two limited editions (a commemorative college option and a striped version). The collection also includes accessories, such as stylish safety shoes and glasses, T-shirts and caps.
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along with math and science, before I decided to pursue a career in engineering.” While she struggled for years to combine her desire for functional clothing that fit her smaller frame with materials suited for a multitude of high-performance workplaces, the idea was a no-brainer for her and many other women. Glas worked for years to bring her big idea to life. “I really started working diligently on the design and prototyping process in 2014. The initial stages were more around gathering survey information from every woman I could find in the industry, and researching the codes and regulations that govern the clothing. Then I went through several pattern makers before I had samples ready for the first collection,” she said. HauteWork’s line of specialty clothing and uniforms is a result of Glas’ tireless efforts to find the right fit for the construction of each garment. “We now use several freelance pattern makers, but our original line was led by a company called Omega Apparel out of Nashville, Tennessee,” she said. “Omega had a reputation for creating garments for the military, some flame-resistant, so I thought it was a perfect fit. Our permanent production facility is now [in] Alabama. We work with a factory that specializes in small batch, made-to-order production.” While response from female clientele continues to be overwhelmingly positive, it’s the growing response from male co-workers and clients that has surprised Glas. “Feedback from male coworkers has all been positive,” she said. “They ask sometimes, ‘Why can’t someone make my suits look good, too?’ Many of the traditional work clothes, like jeans and button downs, have a kind of western look. Some men don’t like that and are looking for something a little more contemporary. I am working [as a consultant] with a company out of Cleveland that has experience with men’s clothes.” HauteWork’s confidence-boosting products aren’t just more stylish, Glas said — they’re safer too. “Those old bulky suits were unsafe for the workplace as well as not fashionable,” she said. “I love fashion. I learned that it’s ok to be yourself and stand out, as long as you conduct yourself professionally. n
From The Lens maki n g a match: b usi n e ss e s a n d n o n profits
Teeing Up the Future The First Tee teaches local youth life lessons along with the game of golf. by Pamela Marquis photos by cheryl gerber
THE BASICS
first tee Mission
To impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. contact
1050 S. Jefferson Davis Pkwy. Suite 237 504-304-3309 thefirstteenola.org Ever since the 1400s, when a Scot first
used a club to hit a wooden ball, golf has been about more than just a precision putt or a soaring drive; it’s been a mental and physical challenge, a friendly competition and a game of ethics and honesty. “In golf, players regularly call penalties on themselves and report their own score,” says Ainslie Blanke, operations and communications manager for The First Tee of Greater New Orleans, a youth development organization that provides educational programs that build character through the game of golf. The First Tee operates out of 12 partnering golf courses in the Greater New Orleans Area, where registered Life Skills Experience participants and their parents receive free or discounted rounds of golf. “It’s all about one’s integrity and playing it as it lies.” To 18-year-old golfer Lori Launey, a First Tee participant, golf is also about making major mental decisions. “Like, should I make a risky shot now or play more conservatively,” she says. “It’s like life, and if you’re having a bad day and you’re struggling and then you make that connection — where your swing works, and your ball goes further than you ever thought possible — it’s in that moment with a well-hit shot that your struggles can take a 180.” Launey’s mother, Karen, signed her daughter up to The First Tee program during a very challenging time in Lori’s life.
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Annual Budget
$670,000
Current Needs
Office furniture, tech, and software. “What I wouldn’t give for Photoshop or Raiser’s Edge,” said Blanke.
A Good Match
FOR COMPANIES WHO… can provide pro-bono/in-kind marketing and advertising services, especially print, television, and radio. The First Tee is willing to trade for professional services. “Services provided by graphic designers and printers are invaluable to nonprofits,” said Blanke.
“She was depressed and just sitting on the sofa living other people’s lives on social media,” Karen Launey said. “This is a great program. I said, ‘This is great news. You’ll get to wear cute outfits, ride in a golf cart and learn how to play golf.’ That one decision totally changed the direction and the whole meaning of her life. And saying just that is still a huge understatement. The First Tee made her a whole new person.” The First Tee serves youth ages 5 to 18 at local golf courses and parks during after-school hours, weekends and the summer months. The organization’s school program provides teachers and physical educators with the tools to introduce golf to students by providing training, lesson plans, equipment and ongoing support to schools and youth centers. The First Tee
of Greater New Orleans currently serves more than 27,000 participants in more than 55 local schools and youth groups. Globally, The First Tee was started in 1997 by the World Golf Foundation as a way to bring an affordable junior golf program to communities that did not have them, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. There are more than 160 chapters nationwide, and programs are currently offered at six international locations. The First Tee participants are introduced to nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. And the organization’s nine healthy habits include: energy, play, safety, vision, mind, family, friends, school and community.
The First Tee National School Program Ainslie Blanke, operations and communications manager for The First Tee of Greater New Orleans
Programs offered in all 50 states.
More than 5 million young people have received character education through the game of golf
50% Female
Gender by the numbers
SUCCESS OF SERVICES Nationally in 2018, The First Tee served more than
50% Male
28,000
youth through its Life Skills Experience Program, its National School Program and community outreach.
49% Caucasian
23% Latino
Nearly
80 percent
ethnicity
of the students who participate in its programs are qualified for Federal Free and Reduced Lunch and participate at no cost through donor-provided scholarships. The First Tee of Greater New Orleans operates out of
12
partnering golf courses in the Greater New Orleans Area, where registered Life Skills Experience participants and their parents receive free or discounted rounds of golf to practice.
3% Other
21% Black
4% Asian
“The First Tee is more than just a junior golf program,” said Blanke. “Our motto is, ‘We don’t just build better golfers. We build character.’ Our purpose isn’t to produce the next Tiger Woods — not that we wouldn’t love it if we did — our goal is to help positively influence the young people of our community.” Chip Patterson, executive director of The First Tee, added that proficiency at golf can also help young people in the business world when it comes to networking.
“A perfect example is when we had a high school student in our program a couple of years ago who met an executive with Morgan Stanley at one of our events,” he said. “She was later offered an internship at their offices in New York City as a result of their meeting. For the kids in our program to be able to play a round a golf is extremely valuable and it can open doors and opportunities for them later on in life that they might not necessarily have if they couldn’t play.”
Robert Narcisse said his 14-year-old son Kobe has met many good people, mentors, golf pros and friends during his seven years with the program. Kobe attends Thomas Jefferson High School in Gretna, where he plays football and golf. He just qualified to play in the state regionals. “This program jump starts kids’ lives,” Robert Narcisse said. “They get scholarships to prestigious schools like Stanford. This has been an opportunity of a lifetime for him.”n
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ADVERTISING SECTION
Senior Solutions From seniors looking to continue to live at home to those who are seeking a community to suit their medical and social needs, New Orleans-area businesses offer an abundance of options. These businesses run the gamut from in-home general care to facilities with complete around-the-clock medical staff and wellness centers, all with the aim of helping aging adults and their families live full, active lives. Discover some options for yourself or your loved ones from the following senior care specialists.
the secret to our 50 years of success. The national accreditation, affordability and ease of the service is unmatched anywhere in the region,” says Friedmann-Lagasse. For more information, visit dependablecare.net or call 504-486-5044.
For those looking for great in-home care, the key is finding Dependable in Home Care. Louise Friedmann began the company, which is celebrating its 50th year in business, in her family home in 1969. After Louise passed away in 1979, her daughter Joni Friedmann-Lagasse took control of the company and has remained at its heads
The Trace is a world-class senior living community that blends the best of senior lifestyle programs, resort-style amenities and personalized services with a comprehensive health and fitness center. The Trace is fully dedicated to living well—which means providing the ability to pursue myriad social activities, hobbies and interests of residents and their loved ones. Their Grande Clubhouse provides delicious meals in an
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for over 40 years. Under Joni’s leadership, Dependable became the only nationallyaccredited registry in the region. This accreditation offers families piece of mind and unmatched access to a highly-vetted pool of some 175 professional caregivers, C.N.A. and L.P.N. nurses. “Connecting families with the caregivers at a price they can afford is
ADVERTISING SECTION
elegant setting complete with tableside service; the full-time Activities Director makes sure the social calendar stays full of parties, club meetings, lectures, salon trips and card games. Their other amenities include comprehensive health and fitness programs, complimentary scheduled transportation, maintenance-free luxury apartments, concierge services and a beauty salon. At The Trace, the team of health and wellness professionals dedicate their time and training to create a happy and healthy life for their residents every day. Schedule your free lunch with tour day by calling 985-317-3915. Poydras Home is a Life Plan Community offering independent living, assisted living and nursing care in the heart of Uptown New Orleans. Known for its quality of care and innovative programs, Poydras Home allows residents to enjoy life to the fullest with emphasis on including residents experiencing Alzheimer’s and dementia. In 2018, Poydras Home forged a relationship with Loyola University and integrated Music Therapy student internships into its Life Enrichment Program for residents. Music Therapy students are paired with individual Poydras Home residents. The students complete a song history with their resident, perform/listen to each song together and engage in discussion about the song and any memories the resident may have associated with it. The students then create a song booklet for the resident to keep with lyrics and notes from their conversations. For more information, visit PoydrasHome.com or call 504-897-0535. The Northshore’s premier retirement community, Christwood provides assisted living, Medicare-approved skilled nursing, rehabilitation and cognitive memory care, as well as offering an extensive range of independent living options and residentfocused health services. Christwood residents enjoy a concierge lifestyle on the grounds of a 117-acre campus with convenient access to shopping, dining, entertainment and medical services. Their assisted living is a Level 4 Adult Residential Care Assisted Living provider, a unique designation that provides a licensed nurse on site for 24 hours a day
and higher than required staffing levels. Since 1996, the community has served the Gulf Coast and surrounding area with consistent standard-setting care with the best possible service. They are continuing to build out their offerings, most recently by opening up assisted living and skilled nursing care services for non-residents on a limited basis. To learn more, call Sandy Fairley at 985-292-1219 for assisted living information; for skilled nursing, contact Lauren Lee at 985-292-1212. Located on Bayou St. John, Vista Shores offers luxury amenities for the senior living community. Complete with the highest quality of assisted living and memory care, Vista Shores provides residence 24-hour round the clock personal care with individualized assistance plans. The community, which offers a free Alzheimer’s Association Caregivers Monthly Support Group on the second Saturday of every month at 11 a.m., is dedicated to caring for memory care residents. The Filmore Neighborhood is an entire floor dedicated to those residents, staffed with a care team that has been rigorously trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Vista Shores also offers social and cultural activities, including fitness programs to keep residents active and engaged. Their weekly housekeeping and laundry services, as well as their transportation service, ensures that residents can relax and focus on living their best lives. For more information, visit vistashores.com or call 504-288-3737. Lambeth House is a luxury Life Plan Retirement Community offering LifeCare, which guarantees residents access to on-site assisted living and nursing care as they need it. Their focus on holistic wellness guarantees that Lambeth House residents benefit from all of the amenities the community offers, from a vibrant community to a state-of-theart fitness center, a meditation room, an art studio and more. Lambeth House offers 118 independent living apartments, 61 assisted living apartments and 72 private nursing care rooms, 16 of which offer memory care support. For members of the public 55 and older, Lambeth House also offers a fee-based fitness center membership to allow the public access to their luxury health and
wellness facilities. For more information, call 504-865-1960 or visit lambethhouse.com. A unique premiere retirement community in New Orleans, Woldenberg Village offers the entire spectrum of care, from bungalow-style independent living homes to luxurious assisted living apartments and skilled nursing/rehabilitation facilities that provide service to both short-term rehab residents and custodial care residents. Azaleas Assisted Living and Willow Wood both offer memory care for Alzheimer’s and other dementias as well as general memory-related diagnoses. Willow Wood provides a state-of-the-art Snoezelen™ therapy room, Louisiana’s first in a nursing home, which offers a dementia care-based sensory environment for patients. Through its magic projection area, disco ball, Vibromusic recliners and other sensory projects, the Snoezelen™ therapy room at Willow Wood both stimulates and calms residents with dementia without overwhelming them. For more information or for a tour, call 504-367-5640. Home Instead Senior Care offers seniors and their family the opportunity to have a full, cared-for life in the comfort of their home. Their CAREgiversSM are provided with exemplary resources, education and training so they can offer highly personalized care at home for seniors with a wide array of care needs. These caregivers allow seniors and their families to maintain their day-to-day lives and to focus on their relationships, rather than their stress. Home Instead provides the benefit and depth of international resources with all of the familiarity and comfort of a home-grown, home-run business. Lisa Rabito, owner of the New Orleans-area franchise, opened her doors in 2000 and has spent nineteen years creating a locally-based business that caters to the needs of New Orleans-area seniors and their families. To learn more about Home Instead Senior Care’s services, visit homeinstead.com/339 or call 504-455-4911. •
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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Ace and the Louisiana Open Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. For more information, call the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-273-5718.
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From The Lens ON THE JOB
Still and Sparkling NOLA will soon be producing whiskey. located on the ground floor of The Sazerac House, set to open this fall, is a gorgeous copper creation reaching two stories tall. This 500-gallon still will produce a barrel of Sazerac Rye Whiskey every day, which will then be moved to Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky for aging. For more information, visit SazeracHouse.com. n
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