Carter, 26, owner of NOLA Sips and Sweet Thangs, moved from Houston to New Orleans at 17 years old to pursue nursing at Dillard University. Though the nursing program was suspended, Carter said she “began to fall in love with the city of New Orleans,” per the company website. After working relentlessly in the French quarter, starting with NOLA Sips, “fruity flavored cocktails made for on the go,” she was able to open a restaurant within seven years of moving to the city.