Are you ready to join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs that will grant you access to the tools that will help take your business to the next level?

Nicole Schoolfiled

Meet Nicole Schoolfiled, the Mother who is empowering our little girls to be healthy, to feel good in their bodies, and to help create joyful relationships between mommies and their girls. Hear about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore.

Help us get to know you, the entrepreneur, better.

“My reason for starting my own company was simple, I wanted to create a life for myself that felt purposeful, that gave me the most time with my family, and that uplifted women.”

“What business venture are you working on?

“My company is a mommy and me athletic apparel line named My Petite & Me. The idea was what better way to teach little girls positive self-body image, healthy habits, and empowerment techniques than by watching their mommies do it with them! I saw the mommy and me clothing trends taking off, but so much of the clothing I bought was poor quality and after one wash they could no longer be worn. So, I took a year’s time working with fabrics and fits for women who have had children so that I could offer superior fabrics and fits that little girls and moms would both love.”

In what ways has IDEAinstitute Northshore provided value?

“IDEAinstitute Northshore has been helpful for me mainly in feeling like I am not alone. I worked on my own making mistakes, trial and error for more than a year before starting the program. Our weekly meetings were the first time I was sitting with other people doing the same. When you work on a vision or idea, it can easily feel like no one else understands what you are striving for. As a start-up so much of the work is done alone figuring it out. Having a network of people who you know are also in this position, and a team of teachers and supporters who believe in taking an idea, vision or dream into reality feels really empowering.”

We can’t wait to see the new heights that Nicole reaches with My Petite & Me and are proud that she calls the Northshore home!

Cierra, Kody, and Taylor Tassin

Jen Smiley

Meet Jen Smiley, an expert food coach who has helped thousands of people make food simple so they can feel their best and hear about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore.

Help us get to know you, the entrepreneur, better.

Jen Smiley is the founder of Wake Up and Read the Labels and The Clean Eating Academy an innovative and sustainable program that is designed to simplify your approach on how to eat clean. As a busy mother of two boys and a master food coach, Jen has seen firsthand the effect that seemingly ‘healthy foods’ have taken on many consumers and has helped thousands of individuals conquer everyday issues such as fatigue, skin breakouts, weight gain and more, through the true medicine of clean eating.

What business venture are you working on?

The Clean Eating Academy is an immersive, online course that has an endless number of videos and every day, simple recipe suggestions for various meals as well as tips and tricks on everything from how to find clean products at the grocery store, to learning how to dine out and enjoy the foods that you live, but in the cleanest way possible. From one-on-one coaching sessions with Jen, to group seminars, each individual can find their own wellness journey to embark on by simply waking up, reading the labels and eating foods that are made with REAL ingredients to feel their best each and every day.

In what ways has IDEAinstitute Northshore provided value?

“As I am creating a business model to turn this personal brand into a tech-driven business that is scalable, Idea Village is helping me identify my avatar and discovering what is missing in the health wellness market that I can fill.  Often, I am working in my business with coaching, podcast, video creation, social media and the working ON the business gets neglected.  IDEAinstitute Northshore is allowing me to take a step back and look at what is happening then discovering solutions to help make this idea scalable.”

Victoria Masters and Devin McKinley

Meet Victoria Masters and Devin McKinley, the founders behind 11^th Haus who are building intentionally crafted products meant to shift your reality and change the world and hear about their journey as entrepreneurs on the Northshore.

“We are the founders of 11th Haus, an e-commerce brand with a focus on modern alchemy and wellness. We pre-launched our first line, social and attraction-based pheromones, and in the same week we started IDEAinstitute Northshore, and we are so happy we did! Because of what we have learned in this program, our messaging has done a 180 to better support our customers and the future of our brand.  We can’t thank you enough!”

We can’t wait to see what’s next for these two and are proud that 11^th Haus calls the Northshore home!

“IDEAinstitute Northshore is a 10-week idea-stage accelerator for founders who are looking to turn their ideas into a high-growth, scalable business. Loyola University’s Felipe Massa, Ph.D., leads weekly learning modules that take early-stage founders through the foundational elements of creating a business based on Lean Startup Methodology.”

#startupnorthshore

Lakisha Davis Flagg

Meet Dr. Lakisha Davis Flagg, the U.S. Army Veteran who is on a mission to build support systems for other service members in need and hear about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore.

“After retiring with 26 years of service as a U.S. Army Nurse, my commitment to caring for service members did not waver. But as a newly minted Louisianian, I quickly realized that the creation of a local business to address the unmet housing and wellness needs of our elderly Veterans would be impossible to achieve without access to key stakeholders and supporters. Today, thanks to IDEAinstitute Northshore, I’m on target to develop a viable business plan and now have access to a remarkable community of entrepreneurs and small business advocates to help me turn my passion into a successful local business. This program has proven to be a unique enabler for business creation. I’m immensely grateful to have been selected as a participant and I am excited – and now better equipped, for the way ahead.”

LyKinda Thibodeaux – Queen E’s Jams

Meet LyKinda Thibodeaux, the woman who is continuing her family’s multi-generational tradition of making homemade jams and pickled jars. Learn more about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore:

“QueenE’s is a family based company birth out of boredom. Seriously, it was just a hobby that I enjoyed. I was taught the canning and preserving process from my grandmother, Essie my and mother, Queen Esther taught me how to make preserves. It is in this spirit the origin of the name QueenE’s, (pronounced Queenie’s) which was originally named ‘Queen Essie’s’, came into existence.”

The very first jar of jam was sold at a produce stand in June, 2022. This vendor actually asked for pickled cucumbers as his customers were requesting them. Because the business owner knew about my hobby, as we have known each other most of our lives, asked that I make a few jars just to help him out. After discussing with my husband, we agreed and I delivered to him a case of strawberry jam and a case of sweet and savory pickles. Both sold out before the end of the week and we haven’t slowed down since that day.”

“IDEAinstitute Northshore was able to help me basically hone in on what was important enabling me become a more strategic entrepreneur. It provided me a guideline, baseline and tangible tools to move forward and be productive. I was introduced to business contacts throughout the course providing real life experiences to help me understand the daily task of the start up phases. It was this type of interaction that helped me transition from treating my business like a hobby.”

“With the tools I learned, I’ve been able to secure multiple event opportunities, expand my range outside of Louisiana, and secure funding outside of traditional sources. IDEAinstitute Northshore pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and allowed me to think outside of the box by breaking the box! I’m grateful for the experience, and the tools that I was granted access to.”

Website: www.queenejams.com
FB: QueenE’s
Instagram: queenejams

Richelle Bannon – 4 Seasons Barks and Brews

Meet Richelle Bannon, a mother who is building dog park communities where like-minded dog owners can meet and socialize. Hear about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore:

“My vision is to open an indoor, climate-controlled dog park on the Northshore. A place where people can hang out and play with their dog, meet new friends, maybe have a drink and create a community of like-minded dog owners. It’s been a tough road for me, being a single mom who is new to Louisiana and the Northshore. Although I’ve personally made a good bit of progress, I haven’t had the tools needed to make this dream become reality.”

“After going through IDEAinstitute Northshore, I’ve been able to meet other business founders and I realize I’m not alone in my quest for knowledge and guidance. I have also gained valuable information and resources that I would never have obtained on my own. And with this, I’ve stepped a bit out of my comfort zone and will be able to make things happen faster than I had anticipated.”

Facebook: 4 Seasons Barks and Brews

Email: FourSeasonsBarksandBrews@yahoo.com

Darrion Lee – Lefi Labs

Meet Darrion Lee, a local entrepreneur whose passion in artificial intelligence development led him to create Lefi Labs, a research and development company specializing in business automation, electric vehicles, and AI that provides businesses with world class efficiency and optimization services. Learn more about his journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore:

“Lefi Labs is a research and development company that specializes in Business Automation, Electric Vehicles and AI aiming to provide businesses/ dealerships with world class efficiency and optimization in the digital age.

I’ve learned so much being in IDEAinstitute Northshore along with acquiring information that you won’t find on YouTube or books. The coaching and resources that are provided are second to none and I’m excited for what the future holds for others and myself in the program.”

Email: admin@lefilabs.com

Instagram: lefilabs

Kim Bergeron – Illuminations: Immersive New Orleans Experience 

Meet Kim Bergeron, an entrepreneur since 1987 who created Illuminations: Immersive New Orleans Experience, an immersive art gallery designed to showcase the arts, music, and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. Learn more about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore:

“My entrepreneurial journey began in 1987 when I left my position as an advertising agency Creative Director to launch my own boutique agency, specializing in advertising, marketing, public relations and special events. Since that time, while that has remained the focus of my work, my passion is advocating for the arts and artists, with a commitment to ensuring respect for the profession with appropriate compensation for creatives’ talents. Illuminations: Immersive New Orleans Experience brings together those decades of expertise plus the commitment to celebrating local artists in a unique and memorable experience.

Imagine standing in a space in which you feel like you’re walking inside a painting by an acclaimed New Orleans artist, dancing in a Second Line procession, riding on a Mardi Gras float overlooking a sea of people as far as the eye can see, jamming at Jazz Fest, or traveling through a swamp as an alligator swims by your feet. This is Illuminations: Immersive New Orleans Experience, a multisensory projection art gallery designed to showcase the arts, music, and iconic cultural experiences of New Orleans and Louisiana. With 360-degree precision-mapped art projections, Illuminations will make viewers feel like they are part of the experience in a safe, easily accessible, and climate-controlled environment, where culture is always in season. Presented in partnership with LSU School of Art.

Though the development of Illuminations began in 2019, it was through the IDEAinstitute Northshore experience that the business caught the traction needed to propel it forward. From the expertise of the program administrators and shared experiences of entrepreneurial alum, to the connections forged and mentorship opportunities (one of which resulted in bringing on another partner for the project), IDEAinstitute Northshore has served as the ultimate business accelerator program. IDEAinstitute is where dreams become reality.”

Email: Kim@Illuminations-nola.com 

LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/kimcbergeron

Tori Mire

Meet Dr. Lakisha Davis Flagg, the U.S. Army Veteran who is on a mission to build support systems for other service members in need and hear about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore.

“After retiring with 26 years of service as a U.S. Army Nurse, my commitment to caring for service members did not waver. But as a newly minted Louisianian, I quickly realized that the creation of a local business to address the unmet housing and wellness needs of our elderly Veterans would be impossible to achieve without access to key stakeholders and supporters. Today, thanks to IDEAinstitute Northshore, I’m on target to develop a viable business plan and now have access to a remarkable community of entrepreneurs and small business advocates to help me turn my passion into a successful local business. This program has proven to be a unique enabler for business creation. I’m immensely grateful to have been selected as a participant and I am excited – and now better equipped, for the way ahead.”

Ryan Cartier

Meet Dr. Lakisha Davis Flagg, the U.S. Army Veteran who is on a mission to build support systems for other service members in need and hear about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore.

“After retiring with 26 years of service as a U.S. Army Nurse, my commitment to caring for service members did not waver. But as a newly minted Louisianian, I quickly realized that the creation of a local business to address the unmet housing and wellness needs of our elderly Veterans would be impossible to achieve without access to key stakeholders and supporters. Today, thanks to IDEAinstitute Northshore, I’m on target to develop a viable business plan and now have access to a remarkable community of entrepreneurs and small business advocates to help me turn my passion into a successful local business. This program has proven to be a unique enabler for business creation. I’m immensely grateful to have been selected as a participant and I am excited – and now better equipped, for the way ahead.”

Monique Jackson

Meet Dr. Lakisha Davis Flagg, the U.S. Army Veteran who is on a mission to build support systems for other service members in need and hear about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore.

“After retiring with 26 years of service as a U.S. Army Nurse, my commitment to caring for service members did not waver. But as a newly minted Louisianian, I quickly realized that the creation of a local business to address the unmet housing and wellness needs of our elderly Veterans would be impossible to achieve without access to key stakeholders and supporters. Today, thanks to IDEAinstitute Northshore, I’m on target to develop a viable business plan and now have access to a remarkable community of entrepreneurs and small business advocates to help me turn my passion into a successful local business. This program has proven to be a unique enabler for business creation. I’m immensely grateful to have been selected as a participant and I am excited – and now better equipped, for the way ahead.”

Tiffany Long

Meet Dr. Lakisha Davis Flagg, the U.S. Army Veteran who is on a mission to build support systems for other service members in need and hear about her journey as an entrepreneur on the Northshore.

“After retiring with 26 years of service as a U.S. Army Nurse, my commitment to caring for service members did not waver. But as a newly minted Louisianian, I quickly realized that the creation of a local business to address the unmet housing and wellness needs of our elderly Veterans would be impossible to achieve without access to key stakeholders and supporters. Today, thanks to IDEAinstitute Northshore, I’m on target to develop a viable business plan and now have access to a remarkable community of entrepreneurs and small business advocates to help me turn my passion into a successful local business. This program has proven to be a unique enabler for business creation. I’m immensely grateful to have been selected as a participant and I am excited – and now better equipped, for the way ahead.”