The Lou Review – Details, episodes & analysis

In this special episode of The Lou Review, host Rosa Hart sits down with two trailblazing women of Kentucky bourbon: Judy Hollis Jones, CEO of Buzzard’s Roost, and Melissa Rift, Master Taster at Old Forester. Together they hint at whats to come during the premium experience at the KBF 2025, “A Celebration of Women Leaders in Kentucky Bourbon,” a dynamic evening spotlighting the powerhouse women shaping the future of whiskey.

The 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Festival will be held September 5-7 in Bardstown, KY. There will be 65 particpating distilleries. There are a growing number of women in the bourbon industry, and their panel will provide a dedicated time for networking with others of like-minds.

This all-ladies mix-and-mingle event invites bourbon lovers and curious newcomers alike to meet the women behind the barrel—from CEOs to distillers and master tasters. Guests will enjoy cocktails, tasty bites, and plenty of opportunities for selfies, signatures, and stories you’ll want to sip on.

🎉 Featured Guests at the Event:

• Melissa Rift – Master Taster, Old Forester Distillery

• Marci Palatella – Preservation Distillery + Farm

• Mollie Lewis – New Riff Distilling

• Beth Buckner – Maker’s Mark Distillery

• Alex Castle – Augusta Distillery

• Judy Hollis Jones – CEO, Buzzard’s Roost Whiskies

💬 In this episode, you'll hear:

• The backstories behind Melissa and Judy’s rise in the bourbon industry

• What makes this celebration of women in whiskey so unique

• How Kentucky bourbon culture is evolving thanks to women in leadership

• Sneak peeks into what attendees can expect at this unforgettable event

Whether you're a bourbon buff or just bourbon-curious, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and ready to toast to the women behind the barrels.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and raise a glass to Kentucky’s finest!

In this episode of The Lou Review, host Rosa Hart sits down with Louisville entrepreneur Dee Dee Taylor, the powerhouse behind 502 Hemp, to discuss her path to opening a wellness-focused business rooted in advocacy, education, and healing. Dee Dee opens up about how her husband’s health challenges inspired her to explore alternative wellness options, ultimately leading her to launch a mission-driven local business.

Dee Dee has been recognized as one of Women Business First's Enterprising Woman Award Winner and the 2024 Public Policy Catalyst by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

This conversation dives deep into the evolving legal landscape, the power of community support, and the unique hurdles faced by women in business. Whether you’re curious about natural wellness, interested in entrepreneurship, or passionate about supporting local, Dee Dee’s story will leave you inspired.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Real-life success stories from customers drive her passion and keep her going through business and legal challenges.

• Dee Dee encourages ongoing education to help consumers make informed decisions about wellness products.

📍Location Highlight:
502 Hemp is a proudly local business offering guidance and products to help individuals find relief and balance.

🔗 Learn more about 502 Hemp

Want to recommend a local business or inspiring entrepreneur for the podcast? Email info@loureview.com

In this episode of the Lou Review, host Rosa Hart interviews Joan Hale, co-founder of Necessary Comforts, a startup dedicated to providing comfort and dignity to patients recovering from surgeries.

Joan shares her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor and how her experiences inspired her to create a product that addresses the needs of patients with drains. The conversation explores the challenges of starting a business, the importance of community support, and the innovative solutions that Necessary Comforts offers to enhance patient care.

To learn more, contact them at:

necessarycomforts@gmail.com

Use code "ROSARAVES" for 10% discount

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NecessaryComforts

Follow Rosa on social media for more @RosaRaves

Highlights:

Joan is a breast cancer survivor who created Necessary Comforts.

The idea for the business came from personal experiences during recovery.

Necessary Comforts provides dignity to patients with stylish, functional products.

The product development process involved feedback from hospitals and patients.

Joan emphasizes the importance of local manufacturing and community support.

The business is self-funded and relies on sales for growth.

Joan aims to hire local women with sewing skills for production.

Necessary Comforts is expanding its reach to hospitals across the nation.

The company is committed to giving back to the community through various initiatives.

Joan's journey highlights the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the Lou Review podcast, host Rosa Hart interviews Eric Lindsey from the Kentucky Blood Center. They discuss the importance of blood donation, the processes involved, and the community impact of local blood banks. Eric explains the operational challenges faced by the Kentucky Blood Center, the need for continuous blood donations, and the various incentives offered to encourage people to donate. They also touch on the recent opening of a new location in Louisville and the significance of keeping blood donations local.

Find out more at:

https://www.kybloodcenter.org/

Tech startup founder Vanessa Omeokachie sits down with Rosa Hart to set the stage for the launch of TravBudd, an app designed to connect people based on shared interests for social activities.

Vanessa shares her journey from being a non-technical founder to launching her MVP, the challenges she faced, and the resources that helped her along the way. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, flexibility in scheduling, and the unique features of TravBudd that differentiate it from other platforms. Vanessa emphasizes the need for continuous learning and the value of networking in the entrepreneurial journey.

If you like this episode of The Lou Review, you would probably enjoy The Startup Hustle, Eat Kentucky or the Bourbon Pursuit podcast!

"Living with food allergies and autoimmune diseases is like taming the allergy dragon," says Martha Morgan, owner of Allergy Dragon. She opens up to host Rosa Hart in this episode of The Lou Review podcast, and shares her journey of living with food allergies and autoimmune diseases. She discusses the challenges of finding safe and delicious food options, the importance of food labeling, and the need for more awareness and understanding of food allergies.

Martha also talks about her work as a chef and wellness ambassador, teaching cooking classes, and advocating for inclusive and allergy-friendly food options. She emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals with food allergies to have fun and explore in the kitchen.

"Food labeling laws have improved, but there is still a need for more awareness and understanding of food allergies." Martha uses her business of teaching individual and class instruction to do just that.

Connect with her at: https://www.allergydragon.com/

Connect with Rosa at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-hart-scrn/ Subscribe to the Lou Review podcast on your favorite platform to hear from more of the business owners and non-profit leaders making Louisville, KY a great place to be!

In this episode of the Lou Review podcast, meet Chef Dallas McGarity, owner of The Fat Lamb in Louisville. He discusses his journey in the restaurant industry, from his beginnings as a restaurant dishwasher to winning an episode of Chopped, to becoming a James Beard semifinalist this year. He shares his passion for community involvement, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance and involving his children in community events. Chef Dallas also reflects on the evolution of Louisville's food scene and how The Fat Lamb offers a unique blend of American comfort food with flavors inspired by Mediterranean, Indian, North African, and Persian cuisines.

Melanie Lopez, the owner of Bluegrass Bourbon Tours, shares what makes her company unique and the personalized experiences they offer. She emphasizes attention to detail and customization, such as providing special treats for birthdays, anniversaries, and bachelor parties. Melanie also discusses the additional stops and gifts they incorporate into their tours. She highlights the importance of customer reviews and the value she places on delivering exceptional service. Melanie shares her journey of transitioning from a healthcare career to starting her own business and the role her military background played in her success. She also talks about the significance of faith in her life and how it has helped her overcome challenges. Listen in on the discussion on different distilleries and tours available in Kentucky. Book your personalized tours at www.bbttours.com

In this episode of the Lou Review podcast, Rosa Hart interviews Rachelle Wright about the multitude of adventures possible throughout Cave Country Trails in Kentucky. She highlights the Green River, which offers paddling and a waterfall accessible only by boat. These include Dutch Country Safari Park, Kentucky Down Under, and the Mammoth Cave National Park. Rachelle shares about the diverse trail options in the Mammoth Cave region, including hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and road cycling. Learn about the concept of trail towns and the accessibility of trails for different needs.

Visit www.cavecountrytrails.com for details.