The People Project:
Ashley Barado
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | March 2, 2022
Meet Ashley Barado!
Ashley grew up in Kenner and is the oldest of four children. She has three younger brothers. She moved to Ponchatoula in 1998 and graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 2002. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University. She was married and had two sons, Caleb (16) and Jax (12). After staying home for a few years with her sons, she decided to go back to school and earn her Psychology degree from Northwestern online. She wanted to show her sons that education and hard work is important. She got remarried in 2016 to Jason (her best friend from high school). She has worked at Utility Metering Solutions for nine years and is the Administrator. She also owns InvitoBella, an heirloom wedding stationery company. She creates invitations and other products like programs, guest books and venue illustrations, to name a few. When she is not working, she is watching her sons play baseball and soccer.
We want to thank Ashley 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: After I graduated, I worked at North Oaks as an Administrative Assistant. I applied to Utility Metering Solutions for the Project Administrator position, and have been there ever since. I handle a variety of tasks, like working with contracts, graphic design and all the things in between.
I started InvitoBella in 2011 after my sister-in-law and I decided to do my son's and my niece's 2nd and 4th birthday party jointly. We wanted a Sharks and Mermaids theme, but couldn't find an invitation anywhere, so I made it myself. All my friends asked where I got them from and orders started coming in. In 2019, I officially went to wedding stationery only, as I found the most joy in creating those small pieces of art!
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Cena! Every Friday my best friend, Laura, and I have a standing lunch date there. We have our table reserved. We split the steak panini. And if I go there for dinner, I order the fusilli dish.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Spending time on the lakefront on the south shore with my mom. I would play and swing. We would also have picnics out there.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I would want to go back to London. I am a British royal history nerd.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: My favorite movie is Gone with the Wind. It was my grandmother's favorite movie, and I have so many memories of watching it. The first movies I remember seeing in a theater are Fern Gully and The Aristocats, both with my mom. Aristocats had these promotional sugar cookies they sold at the theater, I remember them tasting so bad.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Don't fall into imposter syndrome!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To visit Versailles!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist or band that you would like to see?
A: I am a lifelong fan of Stevie Nicks. I would like to see her perform again!
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Mr. B's Pizza, it was a place everyone went to hang out in high school.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it?
A: My mom's great-grandmother. She came from Sicily. I would like to chat about her experiences with her.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The people. Since Katrina, there have been so many interesting people that moved to the area. I like meeting people from all walks of life.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Owning a retail shop for InvitoBella. We would also sell stationery and pens.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: That I have a degree in Psychology and have experience with substance abuse counseling.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: My kids and husband. Doesn't matter where we are, as long as we are together.
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: I would want a gatekeeper and personal assistant. Someone to filter and handle the small details.
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: Italian. I love pasta and bread!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to music as loud as possible. It always scares my husband when he drives the car after me.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was a trip to Nashville to my son for his 16th birthday. The last gift I received was my additional wedding band for our 5-year anniversary.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Wedding invitations.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: J.J. Fad, Supersonic.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To read people's minds. I would like to know what people are thinking, but I would also want the ability to turn it on and off.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Drawing, watching kids sports, reading and chauffeuring kids around.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The laughing crying face and the kissing face.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My kids! Anything they do, I am a proud mom.
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: My Kindle and wi-fi password so my Kindle would work.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: My last birthday, my son asked me a question about my "32nd birthday". I laughed and made him do the math- it was my 38th birthday. I secretly loved it though.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: Pay off all debts for my family and my parents, invest some and then I would take my family on a world tour trip.
Ashley was nominated by Samantha Bates
She nominated Christie Barado
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!
