I am the proud owner of Simply Chic Boutique in Mandeville. I was born and raised on the southshore in Destrehan. I am a graduate of LSU with a degree in Business Management. I learned many of my entreprenurial, customer service and employee management skills while employed with Enterprise Rent A Car. I spent 5 years in the rental divsion, then 10+ years as a Human Resources Supervisor. For the next several years, I spent my days raising my children and volunteering. I served on PTA boards from Elementary to Junior HIgh Schools. I also served on the board of the Northshore Society of Human Resoure Managemnt. I began to search for what was next for me, and leapt at the opportunity to purchase Simply Chic almost 5 years ago. The best decision ever.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married to my husband, George for 20 years. We have two children, Elena-19 is a Sophmore at LSU and Will-16 is a Junior at Mandeville High School. . We have the beautiful catachoula dog, Nola.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
What I love most about owning Simply Chic, is all of the amazing women in our community that I have met. I enjoy getting to know my customers and hepling them find styles that compliment their bodies and make them feel beautiful. I love going to market to select the best styles for our customers.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Coffee Rani, Pardos, & Meribo
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
18 years. I like to add the disclaimer that we were suppossed to close on our Northshore home on August 30, 2005. Thankfully, we were able to move in post Katrina, but at pre-Katrina prices.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
It’s hard to say. My husband and I have binged watch so many series on Netflix. I am a RomCom and comedy fan. One movie I could watch over and over again, and laugh out loud is This is 40. I keep waiting for a This is 50 sequel.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
The days are long but the years are fast so enjoy all the small things in life. Be present in all things you do. Finally, work hard, but play hard too.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Pat’s Rest a While. There’s nothing like the view to make you appreciate our beautiful comminity.
Q: If you could choose anyone that 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?
I would love to have lunch with some of my favorite small business owners/boutique owners. There are several of us that support each other and live the mantra of community over competition. It would be great to meet with these ladies regularly.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that feels like everyone here is connected to someone. It truly is a great place to raise children. I feel like other moms are looking out for my peeps and I do the same for them.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Same place- living in the Mandeville area and as the owner of Simply Chic. Hopefully with a little extra time off so I can travel.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
My family knows this … but as young kid, I never matched. Many of my outfits were plain crazy.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Just Chillin Snowball, McClains Greek Pizza, Crazy Pig’s Praline bacon, a great bottle of wine on my front porch on a cool night
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kiddos.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, Support, Beautiful Chaos
