The People Project:
Ashley Richardson
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | May 19, 2021
Meet Ashley Richardson!
Ashley attended Ponchatoula High School and is married to her high school sweetheart, Ben. They have three lovely little ladies: Abigail (age 12), Penny (age 9) and Eleanor (age 2 - almost 3!). They live in Hammond with their dog, cat and guinea pigs. Ashley loves spending time together with her family traveling, enjoying musical theater, and being a mom. Ashley owns a public relations consulting business, where she puts her many years of experience to good use.
We want to thank Ashley for spending some time with us and letting us learn about her life and family!
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I have always enjoyed writing - in school, I didn't mind when we had essays assigned! I knew I wanted to write for a career, and I got great advice and support from my uncle John LaPlante, who was an amazing journalist. After graduating from Ponchatoula High School, I received a scholarship to LSU and earned a degree in Mass Communication. I began working in the field of public relations out-of-state, eventually coming back to the area and had the privilege to work with great teams at North Oaks Health System, Parker Layrisson Law Firm, and Southeastern Louisiana University.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: We have great restaurants in our area. I love so many of them! Cena is great for a date night, and my whole family loves Cate Street Seafood Station. My favorite place has to be Pho Grace in Hammond! Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious. My favorite right now is the lemongrass chicken vermicelli bowl with zoodles.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in the area?
A: I lived on Southeastern's campus when I was a newborn - my parents lived in the married student housing where the Rec Center currently is. I now live about a half mile away from that location of my first home! I grew up as a military brat - my dad was in the Navy - and we lived in Florida, Rhode Island, and Maine before returning to Ponchatoula when I was in elementary school. After college at LSU, I lived and worked in Arkansas and Washington, DC before returning to Ponchatoula in 2006. My husband and I were married in 2007 and lived in Ponchatoula (briefly in an amazing apartment on main street!) before moving to the Hammond area near Southeastern in 2013. We love our neighborhood!
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Some of my favorite memories would be eating ice cream on the back porch of my grandparents' home on South 4th Street in Ponchatoula, sunny days spent on our boat and the beach when my family lived in Pensacola, and a very special Christmas when my Dad came home from duty early and surprised me with a hug (and a Minnie Mouse scooter!!)
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I'd love to take my mom to visit our extended family in Norway and learn more about our family history. My great-grandmother immigrated from Norway to North Dakota.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: I love so many, but Sense and Sensibility will always be my all time favorite! The first movie I remember seeing in a theater was the Little Mermaid in 1989 with my dad and younger brother. I was fascinated, and my brother fell asleep. I'm a huge Disney and Pixar fan. Movie night is a big deal in our family!
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
A: Try your best to bloom where you are planted.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand with my husband!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I love music, and pretty much all types! The type of music that I listen to the most is musical theatre soundtracks (currently: In the Heights). I have been lucky to see some of my favorite artists put on fantastic concerts: James Taylor, Elton John, and Bruno Mars. I would love to see Lady Gaga! If I could go back in time, I’d want to see Patsy Cline and Prince in concert.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: I would have loved to visit my husband's grandfather's hardware store in Ponchatoula, Richardson's Hardware. I have fond memories of getting poboys from D&R with my mom. But I am most nostalgic for Oasis Ice Snowball stand in Ponchatoula, run by our friend Bryan Poche and his family. It's where I met my husband in 1999!
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met and is alive today, who is it and where would you go?
A: I’d love to have lunch with Lin-Manuel Miranda - somewhere in NYC
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: I love having Southeastern's campus down the street and all the opportunities it provides. Hammond has a wonderful and friendly small town feel, with lots of fun events and activities for families. And I love being so close to New Orleans - and my season tickets to the Saenger Theatre!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I'm going to say Disney World, because I always want to be there!! :)
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: My dream job would be museum curator for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Home is where the heart is!
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: Oh my goodness, without a doubt - personal chef. The luxury of my dreams! I do not like to cook. And I'm not that good at it. But I do love food! So yeah - a chef would be amazing.
Q: Most commonly used emoji?
A: Top three are the crying laughing face, red heart, and the "yikes" face
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Ability to teleport, so I could travel the world!
Q: Do you have a hobby?
A: I consider my love of musical theater as my hobby! I also love to plan road trips.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My three amazing daughters! I am so proud of each of them.
Ashley nominated Casey Robert
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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