Business is War Podcast

Civil engineering isn’t just concrete and contracts—it’s a battlefield.In this episode of Business is WAR, Elliott Forman sits down with Iam C. Tucker, President & CEO of ILSI Engineering and the SBA’s 2024 National Small Business Person of the Year.We dive into:⚔️ How government delays choke development across the U.S.⚔️ The political and economic battles behind infrastructure.⚔️ What it takes to lead a minority-owned engineering firm in a white, male-dominated industry—and win.This isn’t theory—it’s real-world war stories from the frontlines of business, leadership, and survival.Business isn’t a game. Business is WAR.👉 Watch now, subscribe, and join the fight.#BusinessIsWar #CivilEngineering #Leadership #IamTucker #Entrepreneurship

Recorded live at (Bonita HQ, New Orleans), Elliott Forman sits down with Edwin M. Shorty to talk straight about public safety, jail operations, staffing, technology, and rebuilding community trust. No fluff—what’s broken, what it takes to fix it, and how leadership shows up when it counts.In this episode:Why he’s running and what “accountability” really meansStaffing, training, and standards inside the jailTechnology upgrades, contraband prevention, and transparencyCoordination with NOPD and city leadershipBudget discipline, measurable goals, and public reportingReentry programs and reducing repeat offensesSubscribe for more straight-talk on leadership, business, and public safety.#BusinessIsWAR #EdwinShorty #NewOrleans #PublicSafety #leadershiptraining

Patrice Farooq didn’t just bring the cupcakes — she brought a movement. As the powerhouse behind Cupcake Kitchen Houston, she built a brand known as much for flavor as it is for faith, culture, and community. Now, she’s shaking up New Orleans with that same unapologetic energy. 

John Eason – Sidewalk Side Spirits | Turning Culture into Liquor and Legacy

In this episode of Business is WAR, Elliott Forman sits down with John Eason, founder of Sidewalk Side Spirits and the man behind the viral hit King Cake Rum Cream. From the streets of New Orleans to shelves across the South, John shares how he built a liquor brand rooted in culture, flavor, and hustle.

We talk about:

• The creation of King Cake Rum Cream and how it took off

• Branding a product that actually represents New Orleans

• The struggles of distribution, regulation, and getting noticed

• How to build a lasting legacy through storytelling and ownership

John pulls no punches and breaks down what it takes to succeed in an industry where few survive. If you're an entrepreneur, creator, or anyone trying to build something real — this one’s for you.

Follow Sidewalk Side Spirits:
Instagram: @sidewalksidespirits
Website: sidewalksidespirits.com

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🎙️ Hosted by Elliott Forman
💥 Business is WAR — Real Conversations. Real Entrepreneurs. Real Strategy.

#SidewalkSideSpirits #KingCakeRumCream #JohnEason #BusinessIsWAR #ElliottForman #NewOrleansBusiness

Welcome to the Business Is War Podcast, Hosted by Elliot Forman. Learn the ins and outs of starting, maintaining, and growing your business in 2025.