In New Orleans, we are known for living with heart. Laissez les bons temps rouler — let the good times roll — is not just something we say during Mardi Gras or in the French Quarter. It speaks to our city’s enduring spirit, our ability to find joy and meaning even when circumstances are far from ideal.
Here in New Orleans, we experience our share of problems, probably more than most cities, but one thing that stands true is that we are resilient. But during hard times, especially when tourism is slow, foot traffic is scarce, and the city feels quiet in all the wrong ways, those words can start to feel a little distant. Letting the good times roll does not carry the same energy when your business is struggling to stay afloat and you are doing mental math at the end of each day just to keep the lights on.
Even so, the deeper meaning behind that phrase still holds. It has never been about pretending that everything is fine. It has always been about bouncing back and thriving. In New Orleans, we have never relied solely on smooth conditions. We have built our lives and our businesses on creativity, community and the ability to keep moving even when the odds are uneven. This is especially true for entrepreneurs, who must learn to navigate instability not just occasionally, but constantly.
Adaptability also plays a critical role, but it must be approached with intention. It is easy to fall into the trap of reacting to every shift and calling it agility. The most difficult and valuable skill is learning how to adjust without losing direction. Adjusting does not have to correlate with losing your identity. Often, I work with entrepreneurs to proactively prepare for times of difficulty as well as work with those who feel like they are falling behind simply because they are not changing fast enough. But movement without direction is not progress. It’s just hopes and dreams.
Entrepreneurship is not only a business journey but an emotional and psychological affair. As an entrepreneur, you are not only managing numbers and planning growth, but you are also managing fear, self-doubt, fatigue and the ongoing pressure to show strength even when you are unsure. In those moments, faith becomes essential. You must have faith in your preparation, faith in the values you built your business on, and faith that setbacks, no matter how discouraging, are not the end of the story but part of your testimony. I understand that not everyone is a person of faith, but it is those Catholic virtues instilled in me that I live by that give me the strength to thrive each day and support entrepreneurs and small business owners in their pursuit of success.
Over the years, I have made decisions I would not make again and learned lessons I would not trade. One of the clearest truths that has come from those experiences is that the outcome of a business is never determined solely by external conditions. It is most often shaped by the mindset of the person leading it. I have seen businesses with every advantage fall apart because their leadership lost clarity. At the same time, I have seen business owners in far worse situations find steady ground simply because they stayed focused, kept showing up and trusted the process they had already committed to.
This becomes even more important in a city like New Orleans. When the usual flow of the city seems paused, the instinct for many businesses is to wait it out. But waiting without action is not a strategy. Instead, it is an opportunity to dig deeper, to reach out, and to get creative.
Success during slow times is still possible, but it rarely comes through isolation. It often comes through collaboration. We cannot elevate alone! Partnering with other local entrepreneurs, sharing resources, combining ideas and building community around shared values is not just good business, it is how the soul of New Orleans has always worked. We lift each other, especially when conditions are hard.
In New Orleans, thriving through uncertainty means leading with purpose, building with heart and staying rooted in creativity. Entrepreneurs who embrace innovation, authenticity and community can turn challenge into opportunity.
Letting the good times roll means choosing resilience, creating momentum and standing for something greater than profit alone. Together, we all can win!
John R. Kerry is the author of Rise | Win | Lose, and the president, COO and business strategist at Xstrataflo, a business strategy and management consulting firm. He may be reached by calling (504) 444-9991 or by email at staff@xstrataflo.com
