Big Easy Ideas

Throughout this episode, you will hear about how two founders jumped into entrepreneurship and have since been building successful SaaS companies focused on data and market research in New Orleans. A few months after this conversation took place on the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week 2023 stage, one of the speakers acquired the other speaker's company! Both founders agreed that there was clear synergy between the two companies.

Speakers:

• Louis David, New Orleans Business Alliance
• Vignesh Krishnan, Research Defender 
• Patrick Stokes, Rep Data

Different companies interpret customer centricity in different ways, but at the heart of this business strategy is a deep understanding of the customer and a commitment to creating customer value at every touchpoint in the customer journey. Listen to our panelists from companies of different sizes, stages and industries share how they build long-term relationships with customers by providing exceptional service and delivering on promises.

Speakers:

• Michael Cross, Entergy
• Heidi Raynes, Performance Health
• Justin Wohlstadter, Waldo
• David Dart, EIR | The Idea Village - Moderator

Meet two founders who have broken the mold and created industry leading companies in unique marketplaces. Join Walter Isaacson (Tulane) as he interviews Ryan Williams (Cadre) who is revolutionizing commercial real estate investing, and Scott Wolfe (Founder of Levelset) who created the number one construction payment platform, based here in New Orleans.

Hear firsthand accounts from innovators who have created Third Wave Industries by finding opportunities in and disrupting well-established markets. Learn about the challenges of creating secondary marketplaces, along with how to establish moats, build go-to-market and customer acquisition strategies, and scale SaaS.

Speakers: 

• Ryan Williams, Cadre
• Walter Isaacson, Tulane University
• Scott Wolfe, Procore

Commander’s Palace Co-Proprietor Ti Adelaide Martin joins Christine Albert of the non-profit LCMC Health for a panel that will speak to the power of hospitality in New Orleans and how this approach can be applied across industries for meaningful impact.


Speakers:
Christine Albert, LCMC Health 
Ti Martin, Commander's Palace

On this episode of the EATrepreneurs season, four founders share insights about the opportunities to harness technology for the growth of their food and/or hospitality businesses. These speakers delve deep into how the use of technology can create a safe and advantageous environment for business and how technology is helping their businesses prepare for the future. Additionally, the speakers discuss the wide variety of tools they employ, including data management, analytic platforms, and special operations, to scale their businesses.

Speakers:
Elizabeth Tilton, OS Benefits
Andrew Peterson, BlueFin Data
Josh Johnston, TrayAway
Dan Meth, Ingest 

In this episode, a panel of founders will discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of scaling consumer packaged goods (CPG) businesses in the southern United States. They will share insights and strategies from their own experiences and share their perspectives on the realities of building and growing a CPG brand in the New Orleans, as well as practical advice for navigating the region's market dynamics and business landscape.

Speakers: 
Aaron Gailmor, Brass Roots
Rich Simmerman, Ceres
Jon Renthrope, Cajun Fire Brewing
Christa Cotton, El Guapo Bitters -- Moderator

Get inspired and learn from Greg Tillery, CEO of We Dat's Chicken and Shrimp, entrepreneurial journey with his resturant. His story is an inspiring tale of ambition, resilience, and business success. On this episdoe, Greg delves into the challenges he faced, the strategies he employed, and the lessons he learned along the way to build a successful food business. Whether you're a food enthusiast, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply seeking inspiration, this episode promises to be a captivating exploration of the path to scaling a restaurant.

Speakers:

Greg Tillery, Founder and CEO of We Dat's Chicken and Shrimp
Kenny Welcome, Former Vice President at J.P. Morgan Private Bank

The hospitality industry has undergone massive changes in the past few years and has had to shift and innovate as the world became uncertain. Join us for a dynamic panel discussion with some of New Orleans' top restauranteurs as they share their insights on the future of hospitality in a post-pandemic world. Our panelists will share their experiences of navigating the challenges of the pandemic and their visions and plans for the future inside a “new normal.”

Speakers: 

• Ti Martin, Commanders Palace
• Edgar ""Dook"" Chase IV , Chase Hospitality Group
• Robert LeBlanc, LeBLANC+SMITH

On this episode, you'll hear a conversation between Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Walter Isaacson - renowned author and thought leader- , and Steve Case - AOL co-founder and startup investor -  discuss how Louisiana is embracing the climate tech transition, share insights on how entrepreneurship can foster innovation in climate and related industries like health and biotech, and highlight the various ways Louisiana supports startups in these sectors.

This conversation illuminates how the state is continuously striving to drive Louisiana's path towards climate leadership on the national and global stage, and the work that has to  be done to get there.

This episode is brought to you in part by the partnership forged between The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University and New Orleans Entrepreneur Week 2023.

Speakers:
Walter Isaacson, Author 
John Bel Edwards, former Louisiana Governor 

WThis special episode puts the spotlight on one of our nation’s leading entrepreneurs and investors: Steve Case….one of America’s most accomplished entrepreneurs and philanthropists, and a pioneer in making the Internet part of everyday life.

Joined by Walter Isaacson - former editor of Time Magazine, CEO and Chairman of CNN, and CEO of the Aspen Institute - you'll hear Steve discuss the core pillars for building a thriving and robust startup ecosystem, the investment opportunities for founders and investors to consider in the next wave of industries, and more.

This episode is brought to you in part by the partnership forged between  The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University and New Orleans Entrepreneur Week 2023.

Speaker:
Walter Isaacson, Author
Steve Case, Founder of AOL