It's Acadiana: Out to Lunch
Business & Finance
About
OUT TO LUNCH Business over lunch. Each week Christiaan invites guests from Acadiana's business community to join him for sushi at Tsunami in downtown Lafayette. Beyond the foundations of the Acadiana economy - oil, cuisine, music - there is a vast network of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and even some of the country's largest companies who call Acadiana home. Out to Lunch is the cafeteria of the wider Acadiana business community. You can also hear the show on KRVS 88.7FM.
Episodes
- Diamond Tack
So, your family has a business. You grow up around it. You love it. It’s the center of gravity for your family life. But…you swear you'll never do it. You leave. You build something of your own. And then one day you look up an…
- Cajun Certainties - Music & Real Estate
Megan Constantin sits in for Christiaan Mader on this edition of Out to Lunch Acadiana. When I say the name "Jourdan Thibodeaux…" You’re thinking of a musician. He’s hard to miss on stage at a festival as a fiddler and f…
- The E Wanderer
There's a version of life in Acadiana that most of us only see from a car window. We live in something of a paradise, it’s just sort of removed from your day-to-day reality. That’s in part because Louisiana’s natural beau…
- Laying Down The AI Law
The advent of AI is either exhilarating or terrifying, depending on the day and maybe your last interaction with Siri. That’s because the stakes of the technology, at least as it’s promoted by its developers, is really really h…
- Keep It Simple Stupid
Here's something most of us won't admit: we have too much stuff. It’s human nature in the consumer age. You can’t throw a rock in Lafayette without hitting a storage unit. And that’s the stuff that doesn’t fit…
- Tell It Like It Is
Maybe when you're in trouble, you have someone to call. A family member. A friend. Someone who knows the system, or knows someone who does. But a lot of people don't have that. They're navigating institutions — legal, civic, governme…
- Selfless Help
There's a kind of person you've probably met before. Someone who, no matter what their job title says, is really just taking care of people. That's what they do. That's what they've always done. That’s who they are. The title j…
- Social Scout
Here's a question every small business owner loses sleep over: how do people find out you exist? Word of mouth still works. Always will. But today you need more than that. The challenge is that most small business owners are already doing…
- Dive Bars & Barbecue
Hi, it's Christiaan Mader, host of Out to Lunch Acadiana. I love a dive bar. And I know I’m not alone. They attract a certain cult-like following among people looking for an unpretentious place to share a reasonably priced drin…
- Sound Scents
Some businesses don’t just sell a product — they sell a feeling. They create an experience you can’t fully describe on a website, because the magic is sensory. It’s atmosphere. It’s memory. It’s the thin…
- Guitar Two-Step
There’s an old saying you’ve probably heard before: Those who can’t do, teach. Well, that’s total BS. If you’ve ever tried to teach someone anything — how to play a guitar chord, how to dance a two-step,…
- What's Your Story?
Hi, Christiaan here, host of Out to Lunch Acadiana. Everyone’s got a story. It’s why I got into journalism. People are just interesting. But having a story doesn’t mean you’re any good at telling it. That part takes…
- Pet Projects
When we talk about running a business, we usually talk about revenue models, staffing, square footage, and growth plans. We talk about work. What we don’t always talk about is emotional work. The phone calls you don’t charge fo…
- Dig It
Some things you don’t think about until they stop working. Then you get a trickle from your shower head. Suddenly, all you can think about is what’s happening with the pipes underground. There’s money to be made in…
- Steel Towers, New Neighbors
When we talk about “growth,” we usually mean population, jobs, or maybe cranes on the skyline. But growth isn’t abstract — it’s physical. It’s steel. It’s dirt. It’s concrete. It’s towe…
- Ton's Uncle Bob
People in Acadiana love restaurants. They love talking about them, reviewing them, arguing about them. They always seem to think they could run one. Hey, if you can cook, why not? Here’s the thing: Restaurants are famously unfo…
- Homey Helium
Some people make a living building things. Others make a living making those things look good. There’s more to decoration than meets the eye. Space has a tremendous impact on how we think and feel. Sometimes it really is all about ap…
- Down On The Farm
Farming isn’t what it used to be. Louisiana has lost thousands of small farms over the last few decades. The average farmer is over 58. Land prices keep going up, commodity prices keep wobbling, and modern farming techniques are abou…
- It's Magic
We often think of “doing good” as the business of nonprofits. You start a foundation, apply for grants, hold gumbo cook-offs, and hope the IRS sees things your way. But what if you didn’t need tax-exempt status to make th…
- Geaux Grow
There's a temptation in business to want everything fast. Fast growth, fast profits, fast success. But the most durable things—the things that actually last—are often built slowly and with intention. My guests on this edition o…
- The Acadiana Health Path Less Traveled
Some people discover their calling by accident. Literally. An injury or an illness or divine providence can lead to a vocation. You might call each of my guests today healers. But neither started out with the idea of becoming one. They wer…
- Cajun Salvage Broadband
Sometimes the best businesses don’t start with a big plan. They start with nothing: no money, no equipment, no idea what you’re doing. Just a problem to solve, a skill in your back pocket, and the determination to figure it out…
- You Can Do It
If you’re going to run a good business, you’ll need to know the tools of your trade, literally and figuratively. Sometimes it’s knowing how to find talent. Other times it’s owning the crane nobody wants to buy. Beca…
- Cheating Death
Wellness isn’t just kale smoothies and yoga classes anymore. It’s mushrooms as brain boosters, IV drips for recovery, tinctures, biohacking, and more. These trends aren’t fringe, they’re big business, generating $1.…
- Personal Finance Personal Injury
There’s a reason you don’t hear people bragging about shopping for a new bank. Most of us choose one when we’re young and stick with it—even if we’re frustrated, even if it means worse service or fewer benefit…
- Stop Me If You've Heard This One
Out to Lunch Acadiana features a discussion on the expanding comedy scene in Lafayette, Louisiana, with guests Flip Orley, a comedian and hypnotist with over 30 years of experience, and John Merrifield, founder of Oof Comedy. They discuss…
- ABC - Acadiana Bread & Curry
This episode of It's Acadiana: Out to Lunch features Morgan Angelle, who mills her own flour and focuses on the philosophy behind bread-making, and Sajeev Joseph, who offers authentic home-style Indian cuisine with an emphasis on natural i…
- Renaissance Bridesmaids
This episode features Blanche Boudreaux, co-founder and creative director of the Acadiana Renaissance Faire, and Annie Bonaventure, co-owner of Bella Bridesmaids. The discussion covers their entrepreneurial ventures in fantasy experiences…
- Fix It Or Junk It
Anna Kojevnikov, co-founder of the Lafayette Tool Library, and Coty Bergeaux, owner of Acadian Haul Away & Junk Removal, share insights from their entrepreneurial journeys. Kojevnikov discusses the community need for tool lending, while Be…
- Foodies Eat Cheesecake Too
This episode of It's Acadiana: Out to Lunch highlights local food entrepreneurs Jason Stoner, a moderator for a large online foodie community and host of Sunday Dinners, and Seth Dahlen, owner of LA Cheesecake Bakery. Both discuss their be…
- Doggy Disasters
Rinea Blanchard, owner of Superior Contract Cleaning, discusses her business in disaster remediation, including mold and hoarding cleanup. Trey Boone, owner of The Dog Stop franchise, talks about his full-service pet care facility speciali…
- Fear No Fast Fashion
This episode discusses the opportunities in the fashion industry beyond fast fashion, highlighting LaGina Bruno of LAD Prints and More and Linda Solley Hurd of Adeline Clothing. Both entrepreneurs found success by focusing on custom and cu…
- Make Money While You Sleep
Drake Bajat, owner of Restoration One, and Whitney Lange, owner of DBR Designs, share their entrepreneurial experiences and strategies for financial independence. The episode was recorded live at Tsunami Sushi in downtown Lafayette.
- Whiskey Gumbo
The episode features Dreux Barrah, founder of C'est Tout Dried Trinity Mix, who developed a method for dehydrating the Cajun "trinity" of vegetables and creating dried dish starters. It also highlights Philip Mestayer, co-owner of Distille…
- Beer Wine and Pizza
This episode explores American consumption of pizza and wine, noting Lafayette's different culinary traditions. It features Nick Dooley, a sommelier and founder of Nick Dooley Sommelier, and Paisley Turrubiartez from Jim Deggy's Brick Oven…
- Kids Today
Lore Linton, Executive Director of the Children's Museum of Acadiana, and Annie Spell, a psychologist and philanthropist, discuss the business aspects of running a nonprofit, including revenue generation, partnerships, and community value.…
- There's A Better Way
Chuck Perret founded Centerline.Co to address inefficiencies in construction industry communication, offering a platform for collaboration. Brandy Arnett leads Vibrandt Websites, creating custom websites with a focus on client support and…
- Bigger Isn't Always Better
This episode examines the limitations of the "bigger is better" business philosophy, highlighting how small businesses can succeed by focusing on niche markets and customer experience. Examples include Le-Grenadier, a craft cocktail bar, a…
- Frontierland
This episode discusses frontiers not just in the traditional sense, but as areas of personal discovery. It features Janeene DeClouet, who founded Duc in Altum Kayaking for spiritual and outdoor exploration, and Michael Fruge, a rice farmer…
- Lena et Lucia
Ryan Jannise modernized his grandmother
- The Built & Unbuilt Environment
Wes Thiele discusses architecture and creating impactful community spaces, while farmer Allen McClain talks about his agritourism and ecotourism retreat, L'Terre, which focuses on connecting people with the land.
- The Care Economy Stupid
The Care Economy, a term for support services like healthcare, counseling, and childcare, is a $650 billion global market essential for enabling people to work and thrive. The episode discusses its components through the work of Ashley Ofr…
- Helping Hand
This episode features Vanessa Lomas of TheraCare Music Therapy, discussing how music therapy aids individuals with conditions like autism and Down syndrome, and Roy Hebert, a SCORE mentor who offers free business guidance to entrepreneurs.…
- Chocolate Chip Happiness On A Stick
This episode contrasts two Lafayette business models: Joe Thomas, owner of a Frios Gourmet Pops franchise, and Caroline Merryman, founder of Caroline's Cookies, which grew from pandemic baking to multiple locations. Thomas, who started his…
- Gen Z Biz
The episode discusses the entrepreneurial drive of Gen Z, highlighting data on new business startups and side hustles. It features Geth Aguirre, who launched Black Cat Coffee House at 19, and Kaitlyn Azemar, the youngest general manager at…
- Swingin'
Jackie Lyle, executive director of Performing Arts Serving Acadiana (PASA), details her decades of work in arts promotion and advocacy, including supporting diverse performances and initiatives for access and instrument recycling. Bryan Ro…
- It's The Law
Jack McGee, an attorney with a law degree from Tulane, now manages the business operations of a plastic surgery clinic. Berryl Broussard, in-house counsel for the Teche Action Clinic, discusses the challenges of sustaining a health center…
- Artrepreneur Unstuck
This episode features entrepreneurs Colette Bernard and Shalonda Thibeaux. Bernard discusses building a sustainable business from viral online success with her design label and shops. Thibeaux, a life coach, uses YouTube and one-on-one ses…
- Feel Good, Eat Ice Cream
This episode features Rhonda Dalquist, founder of Creamery Coaster, a mobile ice cream service, and Donna Wilson, who launched Occupational & Integrative Medicine. Both entrepreneurs discuss starting businesses after navigating personal ch…
- Don't Worry, Tea Happy
Rachel Sam transitioned from her role at UL to consulting after experiencing burnout, documenting her journey in "Hello, My Name is Happy." Kylie Roussell discusses opening an HTeaO franchise in Lafayette, a beverage company specializing i…