Opulent Productions hosts Women Means Business Awards Show Honoring 46 finalists in 18 Categories

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Opulent Productions, LLC hosted its 2^nd Annual Women Means Business Awards Show on Saturday, January 9 at Algiers Auditorium. The theme for this year’s production was "2021 Women of Resilience in Louisiana," which honored and recognized local woman-owned businesses that are thriving and overcoming incredible odds.

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, women-owned small businesses have been more heavily impacted than male-owned small businesses, and they are less likely to anticipate a strong recovery in the year ahead. According to data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, months into pandemic, women-owned small businesses perceptions of business health drop further than their male counterparts who characterize their business health as good.

Through it all, the 46 nominees at this year’s award show have persevered, and the show will celebrate these high-level female business leaders who are making an impact on New Orleans.

Orion Prater-Phillips, Owner Opulent Productions photographed with the Owners of Rosemary and Roux Chef Katie and Ashley	Orion Prater-Phillips, Owner Opulent Productions photographed with M’Tisha Hall of KidzKreationz LLC

Orion Prater-Phillips, Owner Opulent Productions along with Amanda Taylor, Ms. Black Baton Rouge, Owner of JoMoon Wellness	Orion Prater-Phillips, Owner Opulent Productions and Laketa Smith, Founder of A Bellla Society

Orion Prater-Phillips, Owner Opulent Productions pictured with CoHost Adrianna Williams

“When 2020 started, people came in with new ideas, plans, goals, and dreams. The coronavirus pandemic changed everything. Billion dollar industries were impacted, businesses closed, schools closed and loved ones were hospitalized and died alone,” said Orion Prater-Phillips, Owner of Opulent Productions. “We considered canceling this year’s event due to the pandemic, but we decided to keep pushing these nominees adapted, adjusted, and were flexible to maintain their gifts, their purpose, and their work. We want to say thank you and recognize their resilience.”

Women Means Business honorees were awarded with the recognition they deserve for excellence in 18 categories including Dining and Food Services, Community Champion, Health & Wellness, Hair & Beauty, Children & Family Services, Customer Service. The evening also included special performances and an appearance by Britni Ricard, New Orleans own CEO of Cota Skin Care.

Orion Prater-Phillips, Owner Opulent Productions & Britni Ricard, CEO Cota Skin Care

Event sponsors include: Algiers Auditorium, Atty. Freddie King III, Express Tax, Ole’ Orleans, Pearson & Mitchell Attorneys & Counselors at Law, Ally P Sweets, NOLA Web Team, Luscious Hair, Smoothie King, QRTM Digital Magazine, Thais Flowers, Law Offices of Frank D’Amico Jr., Let Us Cater for You.

Women Means Business Awards Show

2021 Women of Resilience in Louisiana Nominees & Categories 

Blogger

Alisha Reed: Fly with Alisha

Shavoi Kent: High on Beignets

Children & Family Services

Michelle Zellner: Top Knoch Family Care

Demetrice Morris: Louisiana Royal Hearts

Lyiena McMillian: Train Up A Child

Financial Services

New Business

Retail and Consumer

Health & Wellness

 Best Coach

Best Community Champion

Bree Anderson: Daughter Beyond Incarceration

Adrienna Winfrey: Arin’s Nesting Place

Laketa Smith: A Bella LaFemme Society

Marketing and PR Services

Lacy Douglas: Davillier Photography

Jonee Ferrand: Inside New Orleans

Anastasia Douglas: Maximized Communication

Hair & Beauty

Lauren Lewis: Studio4212

Meme Kelly: Silk Me Kids

La'Tashia Pierre: Fly Kreationz

Most Inspiring Woman

Amanda Taylor: Jo-Moon Wellness

Kimmie Cole:Taking Back the Block

Demetrice Morris: Louisiana Royal Hearts

Young Entrepreneur

Amani Diggs: Inama Collections

Marli Lyric: Young and Fly by M

Cherry Sibley

Customer Service

Mtisha Hall: Kidz Kreationz

Brandi Charlot: Blucid Florial

Tamika Smith: Mones Healthy Eats

Networker

Candy Mathieu: Networking with Queens

Erinn Hayes: ReservedNOLA

Shatara Diggs: Couch Conversations with Shatara 

STEM

Charon Maple: Bypass Lines

Paris Favorite: Dr. Favorite

Jonnika Allen: Jondi Design

Dining and Food Services

Ashley Katie: Rosemary Roux

Faith Berthey: Annie Bells

Melissa Hinton: Personal Chef Hinton

Best Boss

Goldie Lambert: NOLA nail bar

Brandi Cordova: Jazzy Kutz

Olanta Scott: Reliable Community Alternatives

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Photos provided by: Orion Prater-Phillips, Owner Opulent Productions