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Some of the great restaurant and food brands in our country have roots here in Louisiana and today’s guest is hoping to continue adding to that legacy. Paul Ballard is the co-owner and co-founder of Ballard Brands, which includes PJ’s Coffee and WOW American Eats. Both brands have experienced monster growth across the country, and we wanted to sit down with Paul to hear his story and learn more about what makes a business so successful.

The story begins at Tulane University, where Paul met his wife, Torry. Their shared love for coffee blossomed into a passion that would eventually lead them to acquire PJ's Coffee, a brand founded by Phyllis Jordan, a pioneer in specialty coffee. They opened location number eight at the time, and the business has grown to more than 180 locations nationally and abroad.

Paul shares insights into the origins of PJ's, the importance of quality control, and the brand's impressive growth. Plus, we discuss the challenges of maintaining product consistency across franchises, the value of optimism in business, and the exciting future plans for PJ's and WOW American Eats.

Here’s some of the key topics we discuss:

☕ PJ’s Coffee Growth Story: From 8 locations to 182+

🏆 Lessons from Scaling a Franchise: Keeping quality high while growing fast

🚀 Entrepreneurial Mindset: The power of optimism & thinking big

🔥 WOW American Eats: How a midnight wing idea turned into a nationwide brand

0:00 - Intro

0:55 – The beginning

5:42 – Explosive growth

9:05 – Maintaining Quality

13:10 – Future plans

17:45 – Core values

22:23 – WOW American Eats

28:42 – Balancing time and energy for all the brands

34:38 – Overruled or Sustained rapid fire

36:15 – Lessons learned

41:29 – Paul’s superpower

43:10 – Favorite books

Visit us online: https://www.scottvicknair.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgD9jP

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We’ve made it through the chaos of another Super Bowl and are almost through another Mardi Gras, but all of that pales in comparison to the thought of an asteroid hitting Earth. That’s what scientist think could happen in 2032, albeit the chances are still extremely low.

David and Brad weigh in on the fluctuating odds of impact, initially estimated at 3.1%, and question the reliability of such predictions, humorously pointing out the challenges of forecasting celestial events. They also explore NASA’s DART mission, designed to test our ability to redirect asteroids, and ponder the ethical implications of altering an asteroid’s path. Tune in for a unique blend of science, humor, and existential reflection on the uncertainties of the cosmos.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:16 – Background on the asteroid

3:07 – Facts on the asteroid

4:27 – Predictions

8:30 – Changing its path

13:55 – Final thoughts

Visit us online: https://www.scottvicknair.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgD9jP

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In this week’s show, we had the pleasure of chatting with Adam Carry, the Chief Operating Officer of Reginelli's, a cherished pizza chain in New Orleans. Adam's journey with Reginelli's began in 2003, and since then, he has witnessed the remarkable growth of the company from its modest beginnings in 1996 to becoming a beloved brand with nine locations across the metro area.

Adam’s passion for Reginelli’s and the service industry is evident throughout the conversation, and we explore a variety of topics. From the story behind the pizza to his other favorites in New Orleans, Adam has found a home since coming to Louisiana for the first time in college.

With a commitment to quality and community, Reginelli's has thrived, and Adam attributes much of their success to their core values: honesty, service, determination, and celebration. Find out where they could be targeting for future locations and the ideas they have for future menu items.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 - Intro

1:00 – How it started

3:25 – Core values

10:00 – Celebrating the little things

13:48 – His favorite foods on the menu

18:40 – Favorite New Orleans restaurant

21:05 – Favorite pizza

22:49 – Overruled or Sustained Rapid Fire

26:51 – Relationships

30:03 – Business lessons he’s learned

35:40 – Favorite Reginelli’s memory

43:26 – Future of the Saints

45:15 – Future of Reginelli’s

Learn more about Reginelli’s: https://www.reginellis.com/

Check out Picnic Provisions & Whiskey: https://nolapicnic.com/

Visit us online: https://www.scottvicknair.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgD9jP

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The assassination of President Kennedy more than 60 years ago continues to be one of the biggest conspiracy theories in our country’s history, but we could soon discover the truth behind that dark day in Dallas. Today, David Vicknair and Brad Scott explore the complexities surrounding the JFK assassination.

With recent developments regarding the release of JFK files, we’ll look back on the historical context, various conspiracy theories, and the implications of government secrecy. Join us as we discuss the evidence, think through the motivations behind the assassination, and ponder what might still be hidden in the classified documents. This will be a fun listen for anyone intrigued by history, law, and the ongoing quest for truth.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 - Intro

1:25 – The latest release

4:00 – Conspiracy theories

10:50 – Connection to New Orleans

13:53 – What really happened?

Visit us online: https://www.scottvicknair.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgD9jP

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It’s been an amazing Super Bowl week in New Orleans, and there's no better time to reflect on the city's vibrant culinary scene. To help us do that, we had the pleasure of speaking with Scot Craig, co-owner and executive chef of two incredible New Orleans restaurants: Katie's and Francesca. Scott's journey into the restaurant business is not just a tale of success; it’s a testament to resilience and dedication.

Scot’s story began in college, where he started bartending and quickly moved up the ranks in the hospitality industry. His passion for food and service led him to purchase Katie's in 1994, a restaurant that has since become a Mid-City staple. With a menu that boasts a variety of delicious offerings, Katie's has earned a reputation for being one of the best brunch spots in the city. Francesca opened in 2018 and has become another gem thanks to Scot’s commitment to quality, consistency, and the incredible team he has built over the years.

We’re grateful for the chance to spend some time with Scot to hear more about his journey, how they survived Katrina, what makes a restaurant successful in New Orleans, and, of course, the Super Bowl. Join us for a lively discussion about food, sports, and local passion.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:00 – How he got started

4:25 – Management style

7:24 – Succeeding in a competitive industry

10:08 – Hurricane Katrina recovery

14:50 – Francesca restaurant

17:25 – Scot on sports radio

22:22 – Future of the Saints

32:21 – Super Bowl

39:05 – Empowerment Project

44:57 – Overruled segment

About our guest: https://katiesinmidcity.com/about/

Visit us online: https://www.scottvicknair.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgD9jP

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New Orleans is set to host its 11th Super Bowl and the excitement around the city is palpable. As we get ready to welcome another huge crowd, let’s talk about what to expect this week for locals and visitors to our great city of New Orleans.

With over a hundred thousand visitors expected, the economic impact is significant, projected to bring in over $500 million. We’ll talk about how local businesses are gearing up for the influx of fans, and what it’s going to cost visitors for tickets and lodging.

What about security? Following the recent terrorist attack in the city, the local authorities are ramping up security to ensure a safe environment for everyone attending the Super Bowl. With the involvement of federal resources and expert consultants, fans can expect a heightened security presence during the festivities.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:09 – 11th Super Bowl hosted

4:11 – Ticket prices

6:05 – Hotel prices

7:13 – Economic impact

9:34 – Security following the terrorist attack

12:58 – What we’re looking forward to the most

16:13 – Predictions

Visit us online: https://www.scottvicknair.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgD9jP

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There’s not much the different political parties agree on these days but the pervasive issue of inefficiency and wasteful spending is something everyone believes should be reined in. With the Trump administration now in office, they’re taking aim at the rising debt and exorbitant spending happening at the Federal level.

Brad and David are keenly interested in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the staggering figures associated with government expenditures, so today they’ll weigh in on fiscal responsibility and accountability by our elected officials. With staggering insights on how spending has outpaced GDP growth and examples of unnecessary spending, they’ll explore potential solutions and the implications for taxpayers.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 - Intro

1:22 – DOGE

2:53 – Increased spending

5:45 – Wasteful spending stats

9:27 – Reviewing the spending

14:05 – Interest on debt

Visit us online: https://www.scottvicknair.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgD9jP

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David sits down with his lifelong friend and esteemed colleague Gene Gouaux, Associate Professor of Business Law at Nicholls State. With deep roots in the state of Louisiana, Gouaux brings a wealth of knowledge and humor to the table and can opine on some of the most important topics in the state.

Join us as we reminisce on high school days and explore Gene’s insights on economic development in education, local politics, and regional identity, including his thoughts on Grand Isle’s parish alignment. He shares some entertaining and incredibly interesting firsthand experiences in the legal profession and talks about the insurance challenges facing parts of the state.

We also discuss the challenges of declining enrollment and the broader implications for the region's economy and education system. Eugene's optimistic outlook on the future of legal practice and education is both refreshing and thought-provoking.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:32 – Childhood stories

3:05 – Grand Isle remaining in Jefferson Parish

4:37 – Lockport

7:18 – Where does the bayou begin?

9:34 – Favorite Louisiana city

11:20 – Teaching at Nicholls State

16:10 – Family of lawyers

21:44 – Louisiana insurance crisis

26:19 – AI

32:37 – Current events

37:03 – Questions for David

Learn more about Gouaux Law Firm: https://www.gouauxlawfirm.com/

About our guest: https://www.nicholls.edu/business/faculty/mr-gene-gouaux/

Visit us online: https://www.scottvicknair.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgD9jP