Blair Elise Aguda

Nola Now was founded by Blair Elise and James Jeffrey in 2022, with the mission of strengthening and connecting our community and culture. Blair & James are both born and raised New Orleans natives, and are passionate about uplifting the arts, entertainment, and local businesses. While earning degrees in marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, as well as classical musical & theatre education, Blair worked and performed in Nola’s nightlife industry and led prominent efforts to rebuild the city’s cultural impact after the 2020 pandemic. Artists, vendors, and event organizers were struggling to connect with our community, while visitors and locals did not have a convenient and centralized source to discover the experiences that contribute to our beloved New Orleans heritage. Thus, Nola Now was born, and in collaboration with local organizations, institutions, entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors, we are now bridging the gap between our community and culture.