If you’ve ever rented an apartment, when you’ve gone to move out, you’ve almost certainly told the landlord “I want to get my security deposit back.” What happens after that is the great unknown. Most often you’ve probably just given up arguing with the landlord and let the guy keep your money. Because that’s what a huge number of us do, there is about $6 BILLION a year in un-returned security deposits.
Marco Nelson is the guy who knows all about that $6B, he’s setting about getting it back for all of us, one renter at a time. Marco’s startup is called RentCheck and it’s already a big deal nationwide. Marco’s got a great story about starting out in the military and while his friends are being shipped off to Iraq and Afghanistan, he gets sent to New Orleans! You just know this guy is going to be a billionaire.
Katherine Klimitas is a “3.” She’s also an artist and the author of a new book of portraits of dogs, called Breed All About Us, with co-author Yvonne Krumins.
It’s a delightful book, especially if you love dogs, and it’s equally as delightful as its authors. Katherine’s “3” refers to the specific kind of genetic mutation that makes her the shortest person in New Orleans, at 2 feet 7 inches tall – but there’s no way you’d guess that from the size of her personality – and Yvonne is an author-in-waiting whose time has finally come.
Aaron Maras is one of New Orleans most talented singer-songwriters, and that’s saying something. Aaron fronts a band called Cactus Thief built largely around his music. On this Happy Hour he plays two songs off the band’s latest album, Two Bells. If you don’t know Cactus Thief or Aaron you’re going to love making this discovery.
Happy Hour is recorded live at the iconic Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans. Photos by Jill Lafleur. Check out Katherine Klimitas’ last appearance on Happy Hour where she was plotting to sabotage a Rolling Stones gig.