The People Project:
Billie Jo Laird
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | July 14, 2021
Meet Billie Jo Laird!
Billie Jo is originally from Tennessee, but has lived in Ponchatoula for nearly 47 years. She has been married to Ronnie for 45 years and they have 2 daughters, Jessica and Katie. She has 6 grandchildren that she loves to spend time with. She is the Office Manager of the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce.
We want to thank Billie Jo 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 always volunteered for Chamber of Commerces, even in Tennessee. I was offered the Office Manager position in Ponchatoula because I had volunteered at all the events, and had assisted with them. I have been here for 8 years, and I love my job.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: They are all my favorite! I love to eat, and there is something at each restaurant that I love.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Spending summers at my Uncle's 500-acre farm with my cousins. He had a cattle farm and we worked from the day school let out to the day before we went back. We had so much fun swimming in the lake and finding things to do outside.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Ireland. In the photos, everything is so green and lush!
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you saw in a theater?
A: The Way We Were. The first real movie besides cartoons I saw in the theater was Romeo & Juliet. We would always go see movies on Saturdays because it was 25 cents!
Q: What advice would you give to a group of people?
A: Party like you ain't going to make it to tomorrow!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I do what I want! I have had a great, full life where I have surrounded myself with interesting people.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I like laid back music like Jimmy Buffet. I have seen him live before.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it and where would you go?
A: I would love to take a stranger to lunch to get to know them. We would eat tuna fish sandwiches in the field at my house.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The personalities, loyalty, and camaraderie with each other.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Sitting on my front porch drinking coffee or beer, depending on the time of day.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: My father was a musician and I met so many great musicians through him. I met Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, The Eagles, so many. Marshall Tucker Band was fun!
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Family.
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: Someone to document my life. I have a fun life, and it would be fun to be able to watch it back.
Q: Most commonly used emoji?
A: The red heart.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Reading people's minds!
Q: Do you have a hobby?
A: I love to garden, sew and do candle wicking.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: Definitely my kids.
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!
