We had the good fortune of connecting with Lyisha “Lollie” Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lyisha “Lollie”, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
The most difficult decision I had to make was to quit my corporate job to focus on my business. My business began growing at a rapid pace and begin to loose control of the balance between my corporate job, my entrepreneurship and my home life. I kept saying I can loose out on this guaranteed money and benefits I have kids but my boyfriend said to me the same 8-10 hours you put in for your corporate job you can be investing in yourself. I put in my 2 weeks notice and haven’t looked back since.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Clouds & Cocktails started off as a Mobile Bartending and Hookah Rental company and is now the first Cannabis & Smoke Shop owned by a black female in the city of New Orleans and Baton Rouge in the state of Louisiana. The company started out with just mobile bartending and hookah rental service but then expanded into Hookah for Businesses, its a program where we do startup hookah programs inside of businesses and with individuals looking to start hookah rental companies. In looking for inventory for our smoke shop my boyfriend ran across some products that guided us into the legal cannabis industry and here we are today with two stores. We have our own Vapes, Flowers and Gummies which can be purchased at www.cloudsandcocktails.com along with a variety of other products. I want the world to know the Clouds & Cocktails brand and be able to say “Wow they have quality and consistent products” because this is truly the goal.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in New Orleans its always a great time with great food ! The best thing about living in New Orleans is you can be a tourist in your own city. Taking walks through the French Quarter and visiting the CBD is a great time in itself. We would have to grab some New Orleans food from New Orleans Food & Spirit and stop by a local daquiri shop for some drinks on the go. Ending the night at one of the many local hookah spots to enjoy great hookah, music and drinks.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to start my Shoutout my 3 beautiful children, I have always been a hustler but if it wasn’t for the 3 of them I do not know where I would be today. My children give me the motivation to keep pushing on my bad days. I would also like to say thank you to my mom and 2 sisters for always supporting and loving me. But the biggest ShoutOut goes to my boyfriend for pushing me and believing in me on days I doubted myself.

Website: www.cloudsandcocktails.com

Instagram: @cloudsandcocktails

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cloudsandcocktails/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjswh_Et5hxCmOLmJ3bE14g

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