The People Project:
Anna Foret
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | August 6, 2022
Meet Anna Foret!
Anna is the fourth born of eight sisters, and was raised in Ponchatoula. She attended St. Joseph School and graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 2006. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University and earned a Business Management degree in 2009.
She met her husband, Aaron, at The Pub ten years ago. Together they have Michael (8), Addison (7) and a baby in heaven, Lillian, who was 8.5 months when she passed away.
Anna wears two working hats, one as the Office Manager at North Cypress Fitness, and as the new owner of Heavenly Gifts in Ponchatoula, a religious gift shop.
We want to thank Anna for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I have worked at many companies in Tangi since I graduated doing bookkeeping. I love math and organization. I have been at North Cypress Fitness for 3.5 years and I love it.
My other passion is Heavenly Gifts. My aunt owned it for 30 years, and she decided it was time to close that chapter of her life. She was going to close the store. When I heard, I asked her if she would consider selling it to me. A few months later, here we are, and I am so excited to keep this store going. It became the go-to store for people in our community when celebrating an event. I am excited to put my own touch on the store, while keeping the tradition that my aunt started. We sell all types of religious items like books, medals, decor, items for children. We also can do personalized items on frames.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: It has to be Paul's Cafe that my sister, Becky, owns! I love the daily specials. They just added wraps, they are really good. I also like the veggies they serve.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: When I was young, we packed the car and drove to my Dad's sister's house in Oregon. We stopped and checked out many iconic spots, like Yellowstone and The Grand Canyon. I think that trip began my love for travel.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Medjugorje. My parents just got back from a trip, and I want to go!
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: My favorite movie is Sweet Home Alabama. I have seen it so many times!
Q: Do you have a favorite book? What do you love about it?
A: I am really enjoying books about Mary. The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics and Queen of the Cosmos. I want to know more about her.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: God's plan is bigger than ours. Always.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To visit all 7 continents. I have a few more left to go!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist or band that you would like to see?
A: I love country music. I think NSYNC needs to get back together, I want to see them perform!
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Heavenly Gifts! At one time my Dad owned Paul's, my uncle had a business next door to him, and Heavenly Gifts was next to him.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it?
A: Mary, and we would go to Paul's Cafe.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The small town feel, the community here.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Heavenly Gifts!
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I am terrified of heights, and it is getting worse each year. The 4th floor is my max!
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Ponchatoula.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A housekeeper! Someone who does it all… laundry, picks up our bags as we walk in…everything!
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Seafood.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: I am not alone often. I am usually with kids!
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was a prayer bag to my godson, and the last gift I received was flowers for the day I opened the store from my in-laws.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Having a lot of sisters!
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: I loved all of Shania Twain!
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To be in two places at once!
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Bringing my kids to their extracurriculars - travel baseball, soccer, basketball for my son and volleyball, art and tumbling for my daughter!
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Sideways laughing with tears.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: Besides family, I am proud of owning Heavenly Gifts.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: Sunglasses and Aaron!
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: Pay off all our family's debts, travel the world with family and a house on the beach.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: That I made a positive impact on others.
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
We love meeting, knowing, and working with our community, and we love working with homes and all types of properties. Helping our community achieve their goals through buying and selling property is something we consider ourselves very fortunate to get to do. Contact one of our REALTORS® if we can help!
