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

Hi Janora, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I decided to start my own business in order to take my power back. As an actor and voice over artist in the entertainment industry, I got tired of letting my mood and my worth be dictated by whether or not I was working. It was time to get off that roller coaster and create a powerful space where I get to be my own boss.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Cashmere & Gold Entertainment is a live entertainment company, both on water and on land, that’s created from things my wife and I truly enjoy: music, wine, cigars, beautiful days, good times, interesting people and love.

What we offer is truly a reflection of the best of both of us. And because this business is built from that place, that is the what we hope our customers experience.

If it’s a wedding and I am blessed to officiate, my belief in love and the goodness of people is what’s felt. If we join forces as the DJ/Emcee tag team, then Leila’s (AKA DJ 24K) love of music and our chemistry together is what moves the crowd.

As boat captains, we’re both able to share our individual passions. My love for wine as well as history and storytelling is evident during my boat tours and wine tastings. Leila’s love for cigars span almost three decades and you can immediately sense her depth of knowledge and excitement to share it with others.

We are thrilled to be able to transition our pastimes into a full-fledged business. Although we’re still at the beginning stages, I’m truly excited about this new adventure.

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?

If I had a friend visiting from out of town, I would stay right here and explore the gems in the LBC. The cornerstone of every good trip is good food, so we would start the day with the best French Toast ever at Starling Diner.

We clearly would need to walk it off afterward, so then we would enjoy the bike path that stretches along the Long Beach shoreline. On that trek we would take time to stop at Rosie’s Dog Beach because sometimes dog watching is just as entertaining as people watching.

After a shower & a siesta, we’d pack some food (I make a mean charcuterie board) and wine (I find the most unique black owned spirits at Ambassador Liquor) and head to our Duffy Boat (insert shameless plug here). Along with the Long Beach sunshine and breeze, we’d take in the up-close sights of the Queen Mary, the Astronaut Islands, The Lion Lighthouse and even one of the most fascinating POW! WOW! Long Beach murals located underneath the Queensway Bridge.

We’d stay on the water long enough to laugh, relax, enjoy a cigar (that is if my wife is on board) and of course enjoy the sunset. After we’ve checked that off, it’s time to eat again. This time we’re going to Parker’s Lighthouse. There are SO many delicious places to chose from in Long Beach (including The Attic, Utopia and The Long Beach Creamery for desert) but Parkers Lighthouse has a public dock! That means, we just park the boat right there & walk up to enjoy some serious steak and seafood with a view.

I have yet to fully explore all the Long Beach nightlife, but if there’s still gas in the tank, a simple stroll downtown on Pine or along 2nd Street will offer lots of options, even if it’s just the lights & the people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this ShoutOut to my business partner also known as my wife. What a blessing to build a company based on your interests and passions with someone you love. We balance each other in so many ways. With our live entertainment, she’s the DJ and I’m the Emcee. With our boat charter, she’s the cigar aficionado and I’m the wine connoisseur. And behind the scenes, she’s creative, encouraging and supportive of all that I do.

Website: https://cashmereandgold.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashmereandgoldentertainment/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janoramcduffie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashmereandgoldentertainment/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cashmere-and-gold-entertainment-long-beach

Other: https://janoramcduffie.com

Image Credits
BOAT PHOTOS: Alvin D Nguyen – @AlvinDPhotography DJ/EMCEE PHOTOS: @low_light_gangster

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