I have lived here in Mandeville for 35 years. I’ve watched our community grow from two stoplights between the intersection of HWY 190/59 to Madisonville, to the bustling suburb we know today. I graduated from the University of Alabama before they became a football powerhouse, with a degree in Fashion Retail. I love everything creative, whether it’s clothes and styling, photography, or art.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Five years ago, I got a second chance at love and married my wonderful husband, Stelios. I have three amazing daughters who attend Northlake Christian School. Eloise is currently a junior; she is on the high school varsity cheer and varsity tennis teams. Charlotte is a freshman and also on the high school varsity cheer team. Collins, the youngest of the three, is in 6th grade; she keeps us busy with junior high cheer and soccer.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
For the last 23 of 24 years, I worked alongside my mother and sister at our women’s clothing boutique. We were privileged to bring the ladies of the North Shore beautiful clothes and developed lifelong friendships. Currently, I am wearing a couple of different hats in this season of life. I co-own Open Space Studios, a rentable photography and podcast studio, which is the first of its kind in our area. We provide freelance and professional photographers, content creators, and entrepreneurs a place to get creative and grow their businesses. Additionally, I am working for LIVIO outdoors in Lacombe as a sales consultant and showroom merchandiser. Since I couldn’t leave retail sales behind, I also consult with a few local retail businesses and help them with inventory management and maintaining their e-commerce sites. I absolutely love that every job I have had or am currently doing is based on relationships.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
We are so lucky to have so many wonderful places to choose from. We love to eat as a family at Meribo. But my heart belongs to Pardos in Mandeville; it’s where my husband and I got married and will forever be our go-to for date night.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved to Mandeville in the fall of 1988 when I was in 3rd grade. I, like many, moved away for college but came right back. I couldn’t imagine raising a family anywhere else.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Seinfeld will never get old for me. A show about nothing…genius!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t be afraid! Don’t fear failure. Just try. This applies to careers, love, really all aspects of life.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Man, we sure did have some fun at the roller rink that was in front of Covington High School.
Q: If you could choose anyone who is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Wow, this is a hard one. More than likely, it would be a musical artist. Sting, Graham Nash, Billie Eilish, Brandi Carlile… there are so many to choose from. It would absolutely be at my mom’s kitchen table with one of her meals and homemade pound cake for dessert.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that our community still has a small-town and tight-knit feel even though we are no longer small.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I plan on being in this community and enjoying an empty nest!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
In high school, on a whim, I competed in Miss Covington, and won!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Being a mother. It is what I love the most.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My mother. She is an incredible mother, a loyal friend, a smart businesswoman, and absolutely not afraid to speak her mind and try something new. I’ve watched her career evolve from a model, to a makeup artist, to a producer for a production agency, a million-dollar-producing realtor, and a highly successful business owner. She has shown me that I can be and do anything I want!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Anywhere my family is.
