Meet Veronica Droulia | Content Creator | CEO + Founder of Content Confidante | CMO + Founder of NOA The Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Veronica Droulia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Veronica, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in New Orleans, LA. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, our home was completely destroyed. As a kid, you wouldn’t think that would really matter or make a difference in your life – but it was honestly quite devastating. I grew up in something called a “boathouse” which was basically an apartment on metal stilts above a marina. My entire room fell off of the house and washed away in the storm surge. My mother and I relocated to a farm 2 hours away in Scott, LA – which was a total culture shock. I think experiencing such heartbreak and change at an early age really inspired me to want to make an impact. I didn’t really know how I was going to do that, until I became a serial entrepreneur. A year and a half after launching my first business and digital marketing agency, Content Confidante, I reconnected with two childhood friends from New Orleans that I went to elementary school with. We recently launched our clothing brand and debut swim collection, NOA The Collective. The first animal print-exclusive clothing line created and curated in New Orleans, LA. Proceeds from every purchase go towards animal conservation and/or natural disaster relief. For our Fall Winter 2021 line, we partnered with the Take Paws Rescue Organization in southeast Louisiana that helped displaced animals, during the recent Hurricane Ida, find their forever homes. I truly believe my life experiences and the challenges I faced in my childhood led me to where and who I am today, and to be a part of this incredible mission-based business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Getting started was absolutely not easy, but it was the best thing I ever did. I always tell my mentees and peers to just get started and learn along the way – because if I were to be sitting there wondering “what if” 5-10 years from now…I would be 5-10 years behind on fulfilling my passion and “what could’ve been”. Operating your own brand or business is all about trial and error. Nothing will ever be perfect. I think the top 3 lessons I’ve learned are: don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone’s chapter 100, don’t be afraid to ask for help or outsource, and be as transparent as possible on social media.

I currently own and operate three brands. My first baby, Content Confidante, which is my digital marketing consulting agency where I help “newpreneurs” (new entrepreneurs) and go-getters market their brands on social media (think of me as your sneaky business partner for all things digital). I am not your typical social media guru. My #1 priority is to change the stigma around social media. When did social media become all about comparison, negativity, and deceit? My mission is to rework the world’s view of it by helping individuals understand that it should be used to connect, form relationships, and empower others through our unique voices and stories.

My second business, is my personal and lifestyle brand, Veronica Droulia, where I am a Tiktok and Instagram personality. I mostly work with the hospitality industry and recommend my favorite products. Think of me as your go-to girl for food recommendations, lifestyle tips, and business inspiration. My #1 priority is to provide value to my audience.

Finally, I recently launched a clothing company with two childhood friends NOA The Collective and our debut Fall Winter 2021 collection. It is the first animal print-exclusive clothing line based in New Orleans, LA. My business partners and I were all Hurricane Katrina evacuees back in 2005. It wasn’t until COVID, where we all reconnected after all working separately in the fashion industry. We found a common denominator in this new idea. We wanted to create positive change for the Gulf Coast region, mother nature, and create pieces that made people feel alive, confident, and ready to take on whatever life throws their way. For each collection, NOA will partner with an organization that specializes in animal conservation or natural disaster relief. Proceeds from every purchase will be donated to selected non-profit partners. This brand is a tribute to the city of New Orleans and the fierceness of its people.

I think the #1 thing I want people to know about entrepreneurship is do not be afraid to put yourself out there. In the past two years I have launched 3 very different businesses, and it’s all because I knew that if I put my mind to it and worked my butt off – I could accomplish everything I’ve always dreamed of.

For all of my current entrepreneurs, if you are every dealing with comparison and imposter syndrome, I want you to ask yourself one question: What would 10 year old you think of where you are now? I’m sure they would be pretty dang impressed.

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?
What a fun question! Since I’m based in Washington DC and do Tiktok reviews of the different places to see, do, and eat in the area, this is right in my ballpark!

If we were spending a weekend in DC this is what it would look like:

Friday evening –

6PM –> Happy Hour at O-KU Sushi in Union Market (the best sushi in DC!)
8PM –> Georgetown Piano Bar (a dueling piano bar) to listen and sing along to all of our favorite throw backs

Saturday –

8AM –> workout class at Equinox (I absolutely love the Pilates Remix class) or Barry’s
10AM –> Tatte Bakery to fill up on almond milk cold brew lattes and avocado toast
11AM –> A self-guided walking tour around the National Mall, see all the sites!
1PM –> Grab a taco lunch at Jose Andres’ restaurant, Oyamel
3PM –> Museum hop! (I absolutely love the Renwick Gallery)
5-7PM –> Get ready for a night out!
8PM –> Cocktail-making class at my apartment, have drinks on the rooftop (it overlooks the Capitol, I’m obsessed)
10PM –> Bar hop on 14th street or in Adams Morgan

Sunday –

9AM – Breakfast at my apartment. We will do the whole works. Omelettes, fruit, coffee, pancakes, waffles (I love the DC-founded guilt-free frozen waffle company, Swapples!)
11AM – Shopping in Georgetown
2PM – late lunch at my favorite lunch spot, Peacock Cafe!
3:45pm – to-go coffee at my favorite coffee bar, Cafe Georgetown
4PM – Bowling at Pinstripes in Georgetown
8PM – Dinner at Lavagna in DC (my favorite handmade pasta and on Sunday’s they have 1/2 off bottles of wine!)

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 would be absolutely honored to dedicate my shoutout to all of the hardworking and independent women in my family and my life that guided me to where I am today. To my friends, I have absolutely no idea where I would be today if I didn’t have the most incredible support system. To Taylor Everett, for always supporting me and helping me grow my brands by introducing me to some amazing publications. To my business partners Carter and Ben. To the George Washington University Graduate School of Business for helping me discover my purpose of creating something bigger than myself. Finally, I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my late father for instilling entrepreneurship and creativity into my life by all of his miraculous restoration projects in the French Quarter that I was blessed to witness.

Website: www.noathecollective.com, www.contentconfidante.com, www.veronicadroulia.com

Instagram: @veronicadroulia @noathecollective @contentconfidante

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-droulia-1651b2132/:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noathecollective, https://www.facebook.com/contentconfidante

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@veronicadroulia?lang=en

Image Credits
@onewhodrinkscoffee | Justin Myers @praya1 | Pablo Raya