The People Project:
Joe Benson
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | October 21, 2021
Meet Joe Benson!
Joe was born and raised in Ponchatoula. He is one of 7 children, landing at the lucky number 4 spot. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School until he and his family moved to New Zealand when he was 8 years old. He loved living there for a few years until his family moved back. He graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 2003. He attended Louisiana State University for a degree in Computer Science while working with his brother Robbie's business. He then decided to work on the business full time. In 2008 he met his wife, Fran, through one of his childhood best friends, Stephen Alexander. Their love story from the first interaction to today is so sweet. Together they have 5 sons, Pace (11), Mack (9), Dane (7), Bray (5) and Van (11 months). Santa brought Lily, a Golden Doodle, to them a couple of years ago.
We want to thank Joe for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about his life and his love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: My brother and I had already been working on our business, Benson Technology, and the timing was right for both of us to give it a try full-time. We decided to rebrand to a fresher idea. Legnd was created! We are a one-stop digital internet marketing company. We also have some new projects we are excited to offer our existing and new clients. We have 12 employees, some local to our area, and some that live in other states in the US. We made virtual meetings cool before the rest of the world was doing them!
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: I like One Thirteen and I get the prime rib.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: It has to be living in New Zealand. We had a small river that ran through our property, and the water there is so clear. When you turn over a boulder, crayfish (not like crawfish here!) would swim out. We would catch them and just spend so much time outside. Imagine kids outside, cutting trees down with axes and playing in a river. It was the best!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: New Zealand. Two of my brothers are still there, and I have nieces and nephews I would like to spend time with.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you saw in the theater?
A: The Count of Monte Cristo or The Shawshank Redemption are my favorites! First movie I remember seeing was A League of Their Own.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: If it is a group of young people I would say you don't know love until you have a child. It is such an unexplainable feeling, it is such a gift.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I would like to see a tornado in person!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I love all types of music. From country and pop, I listen to it all. I would have loved to see The Beatles or Queen perform live.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: It has to be Paul's Cafe. We were so close to the Peveys growing up. When I think of Ponchatoula, I think of Paul's Cafe and vice versa.
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 have a few people I would love to spend some time with and chat with them. Sergey Nazarov, the CEO of Chainlink, a cryptocurrency platform. I would also like to sit down with Luis Elizonda, the former director of the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. He has some interesting perspectives on life from other planets. Richard Rohr would be another. He is a priest, and has some great books about how Jesus loved all people, and how to view life in similar ways. I would want to BBQ for all of them on my back porch for different meals. Something very informal, so we could spend lots of time together chatting.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: I love our community. People take our closeness for granted. It is the true reason why it is so hard for people to move. I also really enjoy Swamplight Theatre here.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: On a golf course with my kids.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I really enjoy live musicals. When we were in New Zealand, my dad made us go see a local production of Les Misérables. We were kicking and screaming, but once the show started, I was hooked. The story, the talent, the emotion. It is still my favorite show.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: It is a zoo, but it is awesome! I know I will miss these times in the future.
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! I cannot cook!
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: I love food! I would say American (is that a style?), but I really like other styles too.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to audiobooks and think. I never listen to the radio.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: We gave Mack a lego set. For my birthday last year, Fran got me Airpod Pros.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Having a lot of kids!
Q: What is your favorite 90’s jam?
A: Anything by the Backstreet Boys!
Q: Most commonly used emoji?
A: The laughing crying face, straight on.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: I would like to time travel. I would want to go as far into the future as possible, to see where we are heading.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I am in an adult soccer league and I like to learn about cryptocurrency and trade it.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My kids and my wife. Also, that we have had a successful business for 20 years that continues to grow.
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!
