Curtis Doucette Jr. welcomes Tulane YEA! to Dew Drop Inn, sharing lessons in entrepreneurship
Curtis Doucette Jr., the owner of the recently reopened Dew Drop Inn, welcomed Tulane's Young Entrepreneurship Academy (YEA!) to the historic venue on Monday, September 23, 2024. The students, part of the Tulane Innovation Institute's after-school program aimed at inspiring local high school students to start businesses, gathered to learn about its history and Doucette’s entrepreneurial experience.
Standing on the stage where iconic musicians such as Ray Charles, Little Richard, Irma Thomas, Deacon John and James Brown once performed, he shared his story of reviving the Dew Drop Inn. "I like making money like everyone else," he said. "But I’ve learned it’s about more than that. It’s about finding something you love and being passionate about it."
The Dew Drop Inn opened in 1939 as a barbershop, music club, and hotel and served as a vital space for Black musicians, community members, and travelers. The music venue closed in 1972, but the hotel and barber shop remained open until Hurricane Katrina destroyed the property in 2005. Doucette purchased the building from the original owner, Frank Paina’s grandson.
Doucette first learned about the Dew Drop Inn in 2019 when a friend pitched him the idea of restoring the once-famous venue, which had once been part of The Chitlin' Circuit— entertainment venues in the United States that served Black customers during Jim Crow segregation, and as listed in the Green Book, which helped Black travelers find lodgings that would serve them. For Doucette, revitalizing the space wasn’t just a business opportunity; it was about preserving a piece of New Orleans’ history. After extensive renovations, the venue reopened in March 2024 as an entertainment venue, pool club, boutique hotel, and mini-history museum.
When the students asked questions about the challenges of entrepreneurship, he spoke about managing the ups and downs of business, especially during the slower summer season, when New Orleans does not have as many tourists.
"For us, the pool club helps draw locals during the summer. And when things slow down, we adjust entertainment costs to match demand. It’s all about flexibility."
Doucette admitted he lacked experience running a nightclub and had a background in real estate development. However, his passion for the venue’s history motivated him to persevere through the challenging times of investing time and money into this new venture.
The students inquired about marketing and how he attracts customers to the space. He explained that running a business in a competitive market requires focusing on what makes you unique. "The other venues don’t have the history we have. You must figure out what makes your business different and market that."
Doucette emphasized the importance of hard work and passion after the students toured the venue. "If you find something you love, it won’t feel like work. The key to financial success is becoming the best at what you love and working hard every day."
The students’ visit to the Dew Drop Inn provided a memorable and unique glimpse into the past and future of entrepreneurship in New Orleans.
The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana (Louisiana Blue), Elevance Health, and New Orleans BioInnovation Center sponsor Tulane's Young Entrepreneurship Academy.
