There’s something special about mixing work and travel—especially when both my wife Jackie and I get to do what we love in a city as alive and soulful as New Orleans.

Jackie is an independent hairstylist and entrepreneur, always investing in her craft. This trip was a chance for her to attend a major conference for stylists—an opportunity to learn, grow, and network with people who push the industry forward.

For me, it was all about linking up with rapper Cavalier (@cavwins), one of Louisiana’s sharpest lyricists, to shoot a music video. Every time Cav and I work together, the energy is right. He trusts my vision, and I get inspired by his artistry. That chemistry is what keeps me excited as a filmmaker.

But beyond the work, this vlog captures something I value deeply: the lifestyle behind the hustle. The small moments between the meetings. The walks through new neighborhoods. The food stops. The late-night conversations. The reminders that what we’re building—our businesses, our creative paths—is allowing us to experience life in ways we didn’t always have access to.

We based ourselves at The Roosevelt, dropped our bags, and immediately set off to explore. Fried chicken at Willie Mae’s. Beignets with honey orange-mint marmalade in the Garden District. A haunted bar crawl through the French Quarter. Early-morning drone flights over Jackson Square. Café Du Monde coffee (yes, I stole someone’s splattered seat before realizing it). Street performers, art markets, Mediterranean dinners, and a final-night plate of gumbo and etouffée that still lives rent-free in my brain.

In between the bites, the laughs, and the long walks, both of us were there working. Building. Making. Creating. And that’s really what this vlog is: a quick, honest glimpse at two independent creatives carving out careers on our own terms. It’s not glamorous—but it is meaningful. And fun. And worth documenting.

If you want to see the full video and catch all the moments we didn’t have time to explain, just press play.

New Orleans—thank you for the culture, the inspiration, and the reminder to keep exploring. We’ll be back.