The People Project:
Elsbet Smith Hollywood
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | October 30, 2021
Meet Elsbet Smith Hollywood!
Elsbet was raised in Hammond with her younger sister. She attended Holy Ghost Catholic School then graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas in 2000. She went to Sweet Briar College in Virginia and obtained her degree in Art History and Spanish. She moved back home and went to law school at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She met her husband, Tim, in 2010 through mutual friends. They married in 2013 at her parents house. They have two sons: Baker (6) and Knox (4) to their family with their family dog, Bartlebe, a beagle. Elsbet is the President of the Louisiana Children's Discovery Center and on the Hammond Downtown Development District board. She was also an Annie Award winner this year, which she calls the highlight of 2021.
We want to thank Elsbet 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 didn't know what I would do with my degree. I knew I liked analytical thinking, so law school was a possibility. I took the LSAT and decided to move closer to home to attend law school at LSU. I knew I wanted to help people, and I enjoy doing that. I have been with Chehardy + Sherman + Williams since 2017. We have about 7 attorneys in Hammond, but the Metairie office has many more. I handle business transactions, estate planning, successions, real estate planning, forming an LLC, things like that.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: I love our restaurants! I get a steak from The Steakhouse, anything from Cena, especially their espresso martinis, and I love One Thirteen’s brunch!
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: My mom always had the best birthday parties for us! When I was turning 7 or 8 years old my party was to dress like your favorite celebrity. I dressed as Esther Williams, wearing a bathing suit! My sister was Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz and we put a Toto sign around our dogs' neck. Someone came as Steve Urkle. It was the best!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Croatia, it looks beautiful there!
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you saw in the theater?
A: The new version of Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. The first movie I remember in the theater was Lady & The Tramp with my mom and sister.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Take a deep breath before you respond to something that has you rattled, like an email. If you can sleep on it, do that.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Traveling more with my husband and kids. I'd like to take them both internationally and on road trips.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I like pop music! Britney Spears is one of my favorites. I would have liked to see The Beatles perform live!
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Perrone's Shoes, we would get our ballet shoes there.
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: Sarah Koenig from the Serial podcast. I'm sure we would have a great conversation.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: I love Hammond's downtown. It is so special and I am glad it is recognized as the heart of Hammond. With the DDD and the historic division, new businesses are opening!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Hopefully my life will be very similar. Still practicing law, being involved in Tangipahoa, and being a mom to more self-sufficient boys!
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: My junior year of college I spent a year in Spain studying abroad. I was fluent in Spanish, but now I can read and write in Spanish.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Cozy.
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 chef to cook me delicious, healthy meals!
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: Authentic Italian!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to podcasts. There are so many that I listen too. My favorites are Serial, My Favorite Murder, Lore, American Shadows, Dr. Death, Noble Blood, The Shrink Next Door. I like history and true crime.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: Last gift I gave was PJ's to my sister at her bachelorette party. Last gift I received was earbuds from Tim for our anniversary in October.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Hopefully being kind.
Q: What is your favorite 90’s jam?
A: This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To snap my fingers and have everything clean like Mary Poppins!
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Life is busy with 2 kids and working full-time, but I like to volunteer. I have a herb garden, and I listen to podcasts.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The smiley with hearts for eyes.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My husband and kids.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: We were doing boomerangs at my sisters bachelorette party, and we were all laughing so hard.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: I would pay off our mortgage, fund our boys college accounts and take my whole family to Hawaii!
Elsbet was nominated by Kayla Morgan
She nominated Melissa Tryniecki Bordelon
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!
