Scout Splash

It made a big splash in Baton Rouge! Just as everyone was
emerging from a year-long pandemic, the Blue Zoo Aquarium opened
in the Mall of Louisiana, of all places. This isn’t just any
aquarium - it’s an attraction that has a fascinating back story.


Nami Haws is the         of Blue Zoo
Aquarium, a growing chain of aquariums around the country that
opened its third location in March 2021, here in Baton Rouge.
It's in a 16,000 square foot space in between the men’s and
women’s Dillard’s in the mall.


The aquarium has an array of sea life with more than 30 unique
attractions.  Blue Zoo was founded by Damitu’s father, Wes
Haws, who opened the first Blue Zoo in Washington in 2019, after
a harrowing and inspiring experience. He suffered a traumatizing
head injury while running a project to build homes in Ethiopia.
After undergoing multiple brain surgeries and being left
partially blind, he put a fish tank in his bedroom to help him
through his recovery, and says learning about and interacting
with the amazing creatures of the sea helped him get better and
regain his strength and eyesight.  Since then, Blue Zoo has
opened a second location in Oklahoma City and now, Baton
Rouge. 


While really unique and innovative national companies like Blue
Zoo Aquarium have a marketing team to help them get their message
out, a lot of small, specialty retailers have a harder time
telling their story, whether because they lack the time, money or
marketing expertise. That’s where the Scout Guide comes in.


The Scout Guide is a print publication and website that promotes
the artists, artisans and small, unique businesses in each market
using beautifully formatted images.


The Scout Guide was founded 10 years ago as a website and city
guide dedicated to Charlottesville, Virginia. Since then, it has
expanded to 60 markets, each of which has its own editor/owner,
who serves as a storyteller, curator and small business advocate.


Kaleigh Porcelli is that person in Baton Rouge. A native of New
Orleans, she has a background in marketing and experience in
publishing. 


This show was recorded over lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard.
You can see photos from the show by Erik Otts at our website. And
there's more lunchtime conversation about local family business
here.


 


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