We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Baudy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

I have a solid connection to family businesses. I am the product of multiple generations of entrepreneurs, and my family has had over 20 successful businesses in various industries. From what I’ve seen, when your family is dependable and you have that support system within your business, you’re provided a certain level of assurance that everything will work out well. If my child had a passion for cooking, I would love for them to take over NeauxLa Catering. Catering is fun but a lot of work. If it were not something they loved, I would not recommend it. One of the pitfalls of a family business is the disappointment when children express a different passion and desire for the business. Sometimes, mixing family into the business makes some decisions feel more personal. I don’t have children yet, but I am fortunate to have my Nephew working with me. He has been instrumental in streamlining processes and helped design our Logo during rebranding. I would support my children in whatever industry they found their passion. I would offer the same support my family in their varied industries afforded me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey in the catering industry is deeply rooted in my upbringing in New Orleans, where the kitchen was more than just a place to cook. It was a community hub where my grandmother, mother, and sister would create culinary magic. These meals were the heart of every party and family gathering, sparking my love for the art of catering. I attended LSU in 2005, and within the first week, my life changed. On August 29th, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. For the first time in my life, I was on my own, and my family was scattered across the country.
Desperately seeking a sense of community, I started hosting dinner parties in the basement of my dorm. What began as a few friends grew into strangers and building staff. When my family connected, it was electrifying to recreate the essence of my mother’s house. Familiarity and comfort were feelings I wanted to provide in a time of uncertainty.
I made lifelong friends and realized my passion in the basement of Evangeline Hall.

NeauxLa Catering is not just a business venture but a manifestation of my love for the community. I am deeply proud of our ability to maintain the core feeling of family while scaling a business. Our menu is a testament to our roots, serving traditional New Orleans fare and a brunch reminiscent of the Crescent City. When you reach out to NeauxLa, you will feel like you’ve known my team for years. Not only are we welcoming, but we are genuinely grateful for the opportunity to participate in your family’s events. We cater to various occasions, from Weddings and baby Showers to Graduation Parties and more.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In two months, brunch became my most popular menu. 2020, like many businesses, NeauxLa took a hit due to COVID-19. I was unsure if my company would sustain the lockdown. I began considering closing my business. A good friend called and asked me to cater a brunch for his baby shower. At the time, I’d never done brunch and had no brunch menu. I gave some pushback, but he challenged me and would not take no for an answer. While I got the job done, I could have done better at that event. That feeling ignited a fire to challenge myself to perfect my brunch menu. I began hosting small tasting parties as I worked through building a menu. That pivot into the brunch space quite literally saved my business.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Referrals and social media have been the primary drivers of new clientele. I set a referral goal for each event I cater. If I’m providing a world-class experience for my clients and the food is fantastic, that is the most organic form of advertising. It works very well. Social media is another excellent engagement tool. Building a brand voice is important so clients can understand what they expect from you from the beginning. I use Instagram primarily, but I find TikTok enjoyable, so I am working on getting more engaged there.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neauxlacatering?igsh=YXFjcDBnNjc1Yzdk&utm_source=qr
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
House Prieur Photography JS.Photography