NOLAbound Applicant Details

In what city do you currently reside?

Miami, FL

What do you love the most about where you live?

As a new resident of Miami, what I love the most is the international flavor of the city. There are certain parts of the city where Spanish actually is the first language, and I love it. I love the feeling of being in a foreign country in the middle of America.

In what other cities have you lived?

Atlanta, Paris, New Orleans

What is/was your favorite city and why?

Although I love New Orleans, I have to say that my time spent in Paris was life-changing. I was tossed headfirst into a foreign country where I didn’t speak the language, and had to learn to adapt. In 4 short months I went from total tourist to actually feeling like Paris was home. I am now more comfortable there than in most cities in the US. Paris is an adventure at every turn. Perhaps my favorite part was my daily run across the Seine and past the Eiffel Tower. Its breathtaking.

What do you hope to gain from NOLAbound?

I hope to gain insight about how living in a entrepreneurial minded city can have an effect on a business. Although my company is 10 years old, we are constantly growing and changing. I hope to bring that spirit back with me to my company and be able to share my experiences with others.

What is your overall opinion of New Orleans?

New Orleans will always be home.

Single most important issue facing New Orleans?

I believe the most important issue facing New Orleans is: brain drain. And I am just as guilty as any other student who graduated and immediately left the city. The financial benefits of living at home while job hunting outweighed the costs (if little) of living on my own, and so I left. I fear that many other students will continue to do the same as the economy remains stagnant. But if NOLA can encourage young, bright minds to stay and work, then the entrepreneurial movement will grow even stronger.

Community Response: