Fuel the Dream: Support the Move to New Orleans

Last week, I was all set for my trip to New Orleans with financing predominantly coming from a Bank, but today, I found out that I had been denied even though I have exceptional payment history. The Bankers are still fighting on my behalf, but it's become clear that I cannot rely on that in order to accomplish this big move from Chicago to New Orleans. I had high hopes for this particular Bank, but it turned out they were just like the rest.

"The Future of Art in America, a new models podcast" needs to be based in The French Quarter, The Last Frontier of Bohemia. I have signed the lease on an awesome apartment at the corner of Bienville and Chartres Street.

I am renting an artist friend's personal U-Haul to go down there.

We are scheduled to leave Chicago on March 30th, stop in Nashville for interviews, and make it to New Orleans on April 5th. All of my other expenses are in place besides what's below in the budget.

I have tried to move to New Orleans twice before, and I chickened out each time because I was too scared I wouldn't be able to make it happen.

I belong down there. A lot of people in Chicago were convinced I've been living in New Orleans for years.

I just cracked, finally, my revenue stream for the podcast that serves the greatest immediate demand, but I need the peace of mind to go down there and launch this website that we've been working on for months and get settled in my new home.

Here are my remaining budget items.

$3,000 - Outstanding Costs to My Designer & Sound Engineer

$3,800 - Living Expenses for The First Month; To Get Started There In New Orleans

Total Remaining: $6,800

For those of you who don't yet know me: In December, I left Academia forever to figure out, come hell or high water, how to build not only an impactful platform with The Future of Art in America, a new models podcast but also a successful business. Profitability is not something that happens overnight. Behind the scenes, businesses often run on debt and investors for years before generating significant revenue. I am a one woman band with a sound engineer and a designer working as contractors. I started the project in January of 2023 as a side hustle while teaching a full course load.

This leap from Chicago to New Orleans will take me away from my old 9 to 5 existence and allow me the first fresh start I have ever had in my adult life. (I've been living in Chicago since 2013.)

My whole platform is about showing the world that people actually care about art and artists. If you help me in this time of need, I promise that with my platform, message, and whole spirit that I will repay you over time in something far more contagious than fear: hope.

Doing this, being public, and open and honest about what's going on when all I want to do is be strong and take of it is hard for me, but I know it's the right thing to do.

I will not go quietly into the night. I will not surrender without a fight.

We are mighty, and I have to be in New Orleans.

In February, I asked The Universe for two big things: Send me to SXSW and Send me to live in The French Quarter in New Orleans. The apartment found me, and everything else has found me.

Let's show the world that miracles still do happen.

This is the podcast, The Future of Art in America.

Thank you.