Uplifting local businesses

Events like the Super Bowl are momentous
for the host city – drawing hundreds of
thousands of people – infusing millions into
the local economy. Verizon stepped up to
support New Orleans businesses to ensure

they had the training, connectivity, and
solutions needed for their big moment.

Empowering NOLA Entrepreneurs

At the House of the Verizon, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL stars Demario Davis & Deuce McAlister, ESPN Commentator Michael Wilbon, and prominent small business owner Kristin Juszczyk participated in a discussion on uniting the small business community to fuel greatness. The event featured a panel discussion, a celebration of three small businesses who won the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready SuperFan promotion (an all expense-paid trip & tickets to the Super Bowl, and $25K grants for their business), and reception.
The company’s responsible business plan includes long-term initiatives like the Small Business Digital Ready program. This free online program has reached over 1,300 small businesses across the New Orleans area & over 425,000 small businesses across the US. Verizon has a goal to support 1 million small businesses by 2030. Community businesses like Crazy Waffle Bar - a vendor for one of our events during the Big Game weekend - have used the platform to access over 50 online courses in English & Spanish, industry expert
coaching opportunities, peer networking, and incentives like grants.

Backing NOLA’s Small Business Backbone

New Orleans is such a unique city when it comes to business. In many major cities, you have businesses of all sizes driving the local economy. While New Orleans has that, what is special is that according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses account for roughly 99% of all businesses in the city. These small businesses also drive over 50% of the employee base.While Verizon serves as one of the main providers of network infrastructure for NOLA, and helps make venues like the Caesars Superdome an ideal place for the fans and the venue operator, Verizon Business has a steadfast commitment to serving that 99%.
Understanding that each SMB is unique, we take a “segment of one” approach to ensure that we remain their tech champion. From basic connectivity and security services, to helping them implement AI and other innovative solutions, we are there every step of the way.Don’t just take it from us, listen to customers like Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant, Crazy Waffle Bar, Mirror Image Photo Booth, and Paddlewheeler Creole Queen.

“Whether it’s for a major event like the Super Bowl, or just the normal day-to-day, Verizon Business is in New Orleans to support businesses of all sizes, especially SMBs. We are steadfast in keeping this tightknit community connected.”

Aparna Khurjekar
CRO, Business Markets & Saas
Verizon Business.