NOLAbound Blog

i can sleep tomorrow.

This particular trip to New Orleans has been so incredibly unique in all ways but one: sleep. Who needs it, right? I can sleep tomorrow back up north. The jam packed schedule has been a touch insane, yet every moment of lost sleep feels worthwhile.

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well down here, no doubt about that. Just today I heard someone describe the business environment here as “the wild west” and “an old wooden roller coaster.” The business owners I’ve spoken to on this trip have found their startup experience almost laughably easy, with a few challenges in finding investors. As a result, everyone is hiring - and they’re not only hiring in the four industries we’re here to represent! The police and fire departments are hiring, the schools are hiring - everyone is hungry for talent.

Yesterday (at least I think that was yesterday?) Zach Kupperman from Silicon Bayou said the state of Louisiana “will bend over backwards and walk you through the process” for those interested in taking advantage of the phenomenal tax credits. One example? Digital media businesses enjoy a 35% tax credit. And that’s one of so many.

When it comes to quality of life things get a bit more difficult. Some of the people I talked to say the charter schools are great, some say they are corrupt. I hear the same in Philadelphia all the time. One resident explained that urban agriculture is more difficult here due to soil contamination. You’ll want to get any lead out before making your own backyard edible; one can’t just plant away and enjoy the long growing season.

The police chief tells us crime isn’t too much of a worry unless you’re the type of person who prefers to resolve your conflicts with violence. The next night I hear from entrepreneurs who all live in Jefferson Parish, though, a choice made mainly due to crime. A contrast worth noting, I think.

I leave tomorrow afternoon (*cries*) and I have to say my perceptions, for the very most part, have changed for the better. Didn’t think that was possible, did you? One of the most difficult aspects of moving to a new city is the daunting task of rebuilding your personal social networks. You know, those real in-person ones where you go out and do stuff together in real life. Tales of giant brunches, crawfish boils and so on make me confident that my husband and I would not be lonely for long.

Even in the office, the attitude is that of caring collaboration. Chris Boudy (http://chrisboudy.com/about-chris/) describes his work environment thusly: “We’re laid back, we love each other, we help each other out.” And that’s in the workplace!

As for our social an cultural experiences here, well, I’ve had one or two I dear hope no one was recording. There’s a mysterious fresh scratch on my hand. Suffice it to say, we’ve been having a good time. Even if, for whatever reason, you can’t or won’t consider making New Orleans home you should at least come down for a visit. You’ll have a good time too

posted: March 17, 2012

Pre-packing and pre-departure reflection.

I leave for the airport early tomorrow morning and there isn’t a darn thing in the suitcase. I do have piles, though. Very colorful piles. That’s the easy part of packing for New Orleans. It’s New Orleans! Bright colors are perfectly acceptable, and thank goodness because I own very little grey and nothing resembling beige.

New Orleans is a bright color kind of city. It’s full of life, flavor, heat, creativity and a unique energy that is anything but grey. I was quite young the first time I visited and don’t recall too much. I do remember thinking it was so different from anywhere else I’d been that I wondered if it was really part of the United States. I remember heat, swimming, and my family being happy - especially with our meals.

In subsequent visits (this will be my 6th!) I grew to love New Orleans more and more. I love the climate, the flora, and being so physically close to the water. There exists a deep and inherent appreciation of good food, music, and art I’ve yet to find anywhere else. I have been called “one of those New Orleans people.” I drank the kool-aid. Or the swamp water. Or the sazerac.

Bearing that in mind, it’s difficult for me to articulate what I want to get out of the NOLAbound program when people ask. I’m too focused on giving. That city deserves every bit of effort I can put forth, everything I have to give. I am deeply grateful for the chance to do so.

Now I should probably pack something.

posted: March 13, 2012

NOLAbound Applicant Details

In what city do you currently reside?

Philadelphia, PA

What do you love the most about where you live?

I love the balanced blend of urban and suburban in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia. I enjoy excellent public transportation for easy commuting to center city and a very walkable main street with restaurants, bars and shops. Wissahickon Valley Park runs through the area as well, with over 50 miles of hiking and biking trails. The neighborhood is welcoming, diverse, friendly and pretty darn charming right down to morning greetings from the feline-in-residence at the independent bookstore around the block.

In what other cities have you lived?

Fair Lawn, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ

What is/was your favorite city and why?

Ridgewood, NJ, although a suburb, provides some of the same amenities as a city with the added benefits of well-funded, reliable municipal services. The town is served by a train line to New York City with multiple bus lines for added accessibility. It is very walkable with plenty of parks, skyline views, and a vibrant downtown complete with movie theatre. Neither safety nor cleanliness are ever cause for concern.

What do you hope to gain from NOLAbound?

The NOLAbound program is a natural extension of my personal efforts to educate people on their misconceptions of New Orleans. It’s a city I love deeply, and as such I strive to turn such negatives to positives. I’ve kept up with post-Katrina developments and share the good news about business-friendly tax codes, improved schools, reasonable real estate prices, and the relatively low cost of living. I would love the opportunity to experience it all first hand, learn from the locals, network with like-minded people, and continue to spread the word!

What is your overall opinion of New Orleans?

I once read that New Orleans is a city you either get, or you don’t. I get it. As an analytical, logical thinker this baffles me because I can’t explain exactly why I love it. I just get it. There are certain things that help, of course. I love the relaxed pace, the variety and quality of food, the emphasis on and support for the arts, the gardens, parks and architecture. I even enjoy heat and humidity! New Orleans imparts a sense of focus on enjoying and embracing life in a setting like nowhere else in the United States.

Single most important issue facing New Orleans?

Unquestionably, the most significant issue facing New Orleans is crime. I am unfortunately familiar with the far-reaching effects of a high crime rate as I live in a city often called “Killadelphia.” People perceive New Orleans as abjectly hopeless against endemic corruption, violence and poverty. As a result, the city suffers from a loss of potential tourist dollars, “brain drain” as college students chose to start their careers elsewhere, and the loss of families who don’t perceive it as a city where they feel comfortable raising their children. It is vital to highlight any and all improvements in this area, especially political anti-corruption efforts and the efficacy of community groups and support.

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