The People Project:
Joni Spikes
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | January 29, 2022
Meet Joni Spikes!
Joni was born and raised in Albany, and is the the middle child of three sisters. Her father was a carpenter and her mother was a homemaker. She graduated from Albany High School in 1999. She met her husband, Jeremy, at church when she was 14 years old. He says the first time he saw her he told his friend, "I am in love!". They got married in 2001 and have Chloe (18), Braxton (16) and Jackson (15). They also have two dogs, Phoenix and Barkley and a cat, Ollie. Joni graduated from Medvance Institute of Baton Rouge which is now Fortis College as a Medical Laboratory Technician in 2011. She is the Laboratory Manager for Avala Pain.
We want to thank Joni 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 stayed home with our children until my youngest was going into Pre-K, and I decided it was time to get a job. I had looked into programs, and landed on becoming a Medical Laboratory Tech. It really is the perfect position for me because I liked science in school, and I get to use my knowledge. I started at the Heart Hospital in Lacombe, which doesn't exist anymore. After that, we actually moved to Mittie, Louisiana - a small town near Lake Charles for my husband to be the Pastor at a Pentecostal church for four years. The people there were great, but it was time to move home. So, we came back to the area and I started looking for a job in the medical field again. I spent some time at North Oaks, Cypress Pointe, and The Blood Center. I became an instructor at Fortis (where I got my degree from), and I loved it, but I was driving long distances for clinical. I landed this job with Avala, and I love it. I have been here for about a year.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: I love the Hammond location of La Carreta! We always get the queso and their chicken tortilla soup is my favorite.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: My Dad's sister had lost her husband, and came into money with a settlement and life insurance policy. All that to say, she had funds to keep her comfortable for the rest of her life. Anyway, they invited me and one of my sisters to Disney World with them. It was a turning point in my life where I fell in love with travel.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Italy, I would just want to eat pasta!
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
A: Pride and Prejudice is my favorite movie. The first movie I remember seeing in the theater was The Little Mermaid in the theater in the old mall. My mom babysat a little girl, and we went with her family.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Don't step on people on your way to the top.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To pet a live whale in the ocean. Not on a tour or excursion, but a wild whale.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I love country music. I would have loved to see Whitney Houston perform!
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Albertsons! I know it may sound odd, but when my mom would go shopping, we would go to the old Wal-Mart for paper products, then walk to Albertsons for groceries. She would buy us a drink from the machine outside the store, and it was a highlight.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: I would like to have lunch with Candace Owens. I'd take her to One Thirteen in Hammond.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The food. You can't beat it. When we are on vacation we talk about how the food at home is usually better than what we are eating.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Hopefully being around my own grandbabies!
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: That I can sing really well.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Relaxation. Having a fire going with coffee. I love to travel, but by the end of the trip, I am ready to be at home.
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: Definitely a housekeeper.
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: Cajun food. My mother-in-law is a true Cajun, and we have made sure we can cook her dishes.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Sing country!
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was Reese's sticks to my coworker, Kristin who loves them. The last gift I received was a Diet Coke from Kristin!
Q: What are you known for?
A: My humor.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston!
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To be able to read minds, but having the ability to turn it off and on.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: My kids! I actually love to shop too. The clearance rack and I are good friends
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The crying laughing face.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My kids 100%. We have had teachers call and send letters about how amazing they are. They are awesome.
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 cell phone and my husband for protection!
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: A trip around the world for a few months. I would pay off all debt and I would give to extended family.
Joni was nominated by Stacy Hawkins
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!
