Tyler Robinson is a Founding Partner and Managing Director at SVN | Urban Properties, a boutique real estate consulting, development, brokerage, and property management firm focused on urban projects in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tyler comes on Let The Good Talk Roll to share his professional journey thus far and the makings of his shared firm. In this episode, we talk not only  real estate, but failure, foundational strength, and enjoying life at work. 

Ellie Mantis, a two-time international entrepreneur and luxury product importer, is the epitome of beauty and brains. She successfully sold her first business, a beauty & lifestyle boutique she named Heaven on Earth, and is now the Founder & Creative Director of her own jewelry brand Ella Bartlow.  

Today I’ve had the pleasure of hearing how Ellie applied her education in mechanical engineering and her masters in shipping, trade, and finance to begin her first venture -- a wildly successful international importing and distribution business -- and how she is applying what she learned from her first success in the luxury fashion and jewelry industry to create an accessories line of her own. 

 Please welcome the ever-glamorous Ellie Mantis!

Today we have a fabulous guest -- Eleanor (Eliie) Schwing! Ellie is the founder of BENE, a luxury handbags and accessories brand made in Italy. Each handbag is produced with Italian hide  but, inside, is lined in custom printed fabrics featuring original artwork by New Orleans female artists.

Trishala Bhansali was born and raised in New Orleans but spent her summers strolling the marketplaces of India, where both her parents are from. As a teenager, she began designing her own clothes and shoes. Then as a young adult, she began her career in luxury retail buying -- which she did for a decade before deciding to begin her own fashion brand. She named her brand Lekha and built her line around her love for quality muslins. Lekha designs reflect her New Orleans upbringing and Indian heritage; the garments are designed here in New Orleans and the clothes are handmade in India. Inspired by her grandmother's work, Trish sought out fellow female creators and allies in both New Orleans and India to build and advocate for Lekha.

Louisiana native Joel Dondis is a professionally trained chef and serial entrepreneur. He first fell in love with food and cooking at a young age and later went on to study at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Following graduation, Joel traveled to Europe to practice at the Michelin-rated Schloss Hotel and Restaurant Gargantua in Frankfurt, Germany.  After living in Europe and beginning a crawfish exporting business, he moved back to Louisiana and next worked as a Sous Chef at Emeril’s for three-years before founding Joel’s Grand Cuisine, Inc, now called Joel Catering and Event Planning. Joel opened James Beard Award winning La Petite Grocery in 2004, in 2006 Joel opened Sucre -- a dessert shop now arguably synonymous with the city of New Orleans itself -- and in 2007, Joel unveiled a seafood restaurant, Grand Isle. Today, Joel continues to live Uptown New Orleans with his wife, daughter, and dog. 

This week we have not one, but two very fashionable guests: Angelique Palumbo and Janine Butscher. Angelique and Janine currently co-own Angelique Boutique, here in New Orleans. Angelique first opened this first Maple Street location in 2001 and is the store’s clothing buyer. Janine joined the business a few years later and is the buyer of shoes and accessories. The store is known for carrying ready-to-wear designer labels that are both stylish and enduring.

Century Girl Vintage is a boutique located off Magazine Street, here, in New Orleans. Stepping into Century Girl is both like stepping into a storybook and a portal to the past. Inside, perfectly preserved haute couture tulle gowns take center stage. Glittering jewels and adorning bobbles from every decade line the walls and hang from mannequins. Everything in the store has passed a test of quality and taste; each was hand-selected by Leah Blake, owner of Century Girl Vintage. 

Since opening its first doors in 2014, Century Girl has been highlighted in numerous publications and beloved by stylists, designers, and fabulously dressed individuals. 

I have been obsessed with Leah’s carefully curated vintage oasis since my first trip in. I am so thankful for the time she gave me and am certain you all will find her as delightful as I do. 

Alyssa Carson is a Future Mars Walker, Astronaut in Training, Global Speaker, Author, Philanthropist, Aquanaut, Skydiver, Pilot, Soccer Coach, Brand Ambassador, Actress, Model, Intern, and Current College Student.

While Alyssa may not classically fall into the box of either "artist" or "business owner," she is an ideal guest and role model as someone who has acknowledged her passion and relentlessly pursued it. While this podcast will not be limited to featuring New Orleanians, Alyssa is also from Louisiana. 

Because Alyssa is so exceptionally accomplished and an interesting person, there are endless topics I could have dedicated this episode to. So, if you are interested in learning more about Alyssa at the end of this conversation, I encourage you not only to read her book, “So You Want To Be An Astronaut” and listen to her past Ted Talks, but also seek out her other podcast features. 

** Because Alyssa is currently studying in Florida, our interview was held remotely -- please forgive the difference between our audio, it is more than worth the listen. **

Past and present brides, and those in the wedding industry, you may have heard of artist Stephanie Torregrossa. Stephanie is recognized not only locally or nationally but globally for her work as a live wedding painter. In today’s episode we discuss taking risks, being a “yes man”, becoming a professional artist, the wedding painting process, giving back, swamp birds, and so much more.

Penn Iarocci and her two partners, Allison Till and Melissa Montgomery, had become disillusioned by the climate-clogging beads and throws that accompany Carnival season. Together, they began to design, create, and source alternative eco-friendly throws. Their business, Epiphany Throws, was born out of their love for New Orleans, and their desire to see it -- and our planet -- better preserved. As they would say, Love the Party. Love the Planet…. And don't be trashy.