Five Firsts With Kaleigh Porcelli, Editor of The Scout Guide Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Scout Guide Baton Rouge editor Kaleigh Porcelli. Photography by Caitlin B Photography.

We’re always hoping to make a good first impression, and that first-time readers of The Scout Guide will put the publication down feeling inspired to learn more about the featured businesses—and, if they’re out-of-towners, to seek out (or start) a guide in their own hometown. In this series, we talk to our editors about their TSG “firsts,” from their first encounter with The Scout Guide to the first business they scouted and more. Read on to learn about how The Scout Guide Baton Rouge editor Kaleigh Porcelli discovered the brand, and what it was like to launch her first volume.

When did you first discover The Scout Guide? 

Several years ago when I still lived in New Orleans, I was shopping on Magazine Street and kept seeing The Scout Guide New Orleans displayed in all of my favorite boutiques.

What made you decide to become an editor? 

I’ve always been intrigued by The Scout Guide. We lived in three different cities prior to moving to Baton Rouge (New Orleans, Saint Louis, and San Antonio) and every city had The Scout Guide. Each guide was consistently beautiful and helped me live a locally minded lifestyle—wherever I was. After settling down in Baton Rouge, when I learned TSG was searching for a new editor here I immediately jumped at the opportunity. 

Tell us about the first business you approached to be in the guide? 

I’ll never forget my first conversation I had with Jewel and Vincent Centanni of Ivy Lifestyles, a residential development company that builds spectacular custom homes. I was still in the decision making process at that point, but their encouragement and enthusiasm about TSG was a pivotal moment for me. They ended up being my first official members to join volume 5!

“It’s truly a pleasure getting to know and support the local businesses in my community.”

What was it like to launch your first volume?

It felt magical! It’s so rewarding to now have something tangible to hold after months and months of curating and visualizing this guide. The end result is everything I hoped it would be.

What’s the first thing you would tell a prospective editor? 

I personally consider this to be my dream job. Does it require a lot of work? Yes. Do I have a lot of fun doing it? Definitely! The Scout Guide is such a unique and beautiful publication; there’s nothing else like it! It’s truly a pleasure getting to know and support the local businesses in my community.

To learn more about Kaleigh and The Scout Guide in her area, follow The Scout Guide Baton Rouge on Instagram. Learn more about starting The Scout Guide in your city here.