1Do you GroupOn? The fastest growing company made its debut in New Orleans this past summer and we love getting their emails and discovering new shops and places to try around New Orleans. Plus, the deals can’t be beat! For those who aren’t familiar with GroupOn, it’s part of a movement called collective buying where by a certain number of people buying a deal, everyone gets a steep discount. It’s coupons sure, it’s also a great economic stimulus for local businesses. You can sign up here.
2In the spirit of the original TED and ideas worth spreading, TEDxNOLA is happening this Friday and it’s going to be spectacular. TEDx events are combinations of TEDTalks and live speakers that come together to spark deep discussion and connections. Speakers include Mayor Mitch Landrieu, John Besh, James Carville, Harry Shearer and Wendell Pierce! Only 200 tickets are available and we hear they’re going fast, so what are you waiting for? Tickets $35 and available at Le Petit Theatre located at 616 St. Peter Street.
3We all love a good culinary deal, and whenever we spot a good deal on a full course meal, we like to spread the good word. Be sure to check out COOLinary New Orleans this month for some awesome opportunities to eat without breaking the bank! This summer restaurant promotion features mouth-watering three-course menus priced at $20 or less for lunch and $34 or less for dinner. Head to their website and see for yourself what restaurants are participating. Bon appetit! Promotion runs until September 1.
4New Orleans blogger Mallory Whitfield has been writing about indie artists and designers since 2006 on her blog, Miss Malaprop, and is one of the founding members of the New Orleans Craft Mafia. She launched a new online shop this spring, highlighting unique handmade and eco-friendly goods by a variety of artists, including many Gulf Coast based designers.
Sloane Berrent is a cause-based marketing and social branding consultant, nonprofiteer and budding social entrepreneur. She uses social media, product evangelizing, fundraising and community development services to help for-profit and nonprofit companies with a focus on social action campaigns. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she has lived in Burlington VT, Boston MA, Rome Italy, and Los Angeles, CA. She spent 2009 as a digital nomad, traveling the world experiencing life and volunteering including stints in South America, New Orleans and three months in the Philippines as a Kiva Fellow.
She co-created “Cause It’s My Birthday” a campaign to raise money (over $19k to date) and awareness for malaria prevention in Ghana. Sloane moved to New Orleans as her new home at the end of 2009 and co-launched NOLAlicious, a weekly newsletter of events in New Orleans. She was recently named the citizen journalist to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland for the MySpace and The Wall Street Journal communities. Her consulting practice, Answer With Action, focuses on strategic integrated marketing consulting. She speaks frequently on building community and blogs at The Causemopolitan.