The People Project:
Kim Walker
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | October 8, 2022
Meet Kim Walker!
Kim was raised in Hammond and is the youngest of five siblings. She graduated from Hammond High School in 1991, then attended Southeastern Louisiana University. There she earned her Elementary Education degree in 1996, then went on to earn her Masters in 1999. She met her husband, Brian, on a church trip to Gatlinburg (she didn't know it was a singles trip!) in January 1999. They were married in July 1999! After they got married, they soon moved to North Carolina. Together, they have one son, Payton (20). They lived in North Carolina for ten years before deciding to move back to Louisiana. Over the years, she and her husband have run a few businesses. Now they run a marketing company, Shop Marketing Pros, that specializes in auto shop marketing. They also have two dogs, Lindy and Grace, that enjoy traveling with them to attend conferences throughout the United States.
She is an active member of The Mission Church.
We want to thank Kim 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 was in education, as a teacher and a school counselor, in North Carolina for many years. We decided to open an auto repair shop, and I left the school system to work in our business doing marketing. We ran a successful business with employees, and due to a series of events, we decided to close the shop and move back to Louisiana. Friends heard that I helped market businesses, so I started a company helping them. Brian enjoyed building websites, so we joined forces and started an online marketing company, 5 Stones. We decided after years of creating great marketing for all types of businesses, we wanted to specialize in the automotive industry and Shop Marketing Pros was born. We travel to conferences teaching, sponsoring and connecting to auto shops. We currently service businesses in 24 states. We have a team of 23 people, and we love what we do!
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: I love The Steakhouse! We sit in a cozy booth and I order a steak and the Azalea cocktail.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Going to church summer camp every summer. I started going when I was 7 or 8 years old and kept going until I was 15 years old.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Australia! When I was student teaching, I did a unit on Australia. Since then, I have wanted to visit.
Q: Do you have a favorite book? What do you love about it?
A: The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeust. It is a faith based book explaining and teaching how to say yes to the right things in your life. I have read it 3 times!
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Talk to God and find why He created you. Find your purpose. If you don't know, there are plenty of ways to figure it out. The book My Life Purpose Guide by James Myers, She Works His Way helped me navigate through it.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I actually just crossed something off my list! I wanted to experience a sea turtle in the wild. Brian and I were walking on the beach at sunset, and I looked over and we saw a "teenaged" one swimming in the water. It was perfect, it was just us and the turtle.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist or band that you would like to see?
A: I like country and Christian music. We have seen Kenny Chesney over 10 times, but I am always interested in seeing him perform! I would also like to see Morgan Wallen play.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: There used to be a teen dance club called Monopoly's in Hammond! The dance floor was a large Monopoly board. Also, Hi-Ho BBQ. When we were living in North Carolina, my Mom flew up with 40 sandwiches from there and everyone on the plane was going crazy. They wanted to have some!
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it?
A: Ed Mylett and I would take him to Roux & Brew for great Louisiana food.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: We have traveled around the US a good bit, and there is something about our food culture and southern hospitality that you do not find elsewhere.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Enjoying life at a slower pace!
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I am afraid of clowns, monkeys and spiders.
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: Chef!
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: Italian!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to a podcast. I like Jocko, The Goal Digger and Mastering Menopause! Or I listen to worship music.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was a framed custom photo a client had taken from this Mom & Pop shop called Smallwoods. They had taken a photo of the Northern Lights that was beautiful. The last gift I received was the gift of time from my son. He spent the day with us at SeaWorld for my birthday.
Q: What are you known for?
A: People say I am the queen of connections. I like to connect people to people or resources they need.
Q: What is your favorite 80s jam?
A: Bon Jovi and Madonna!
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Teleporting! My son's schedule is mapped out from early morning until late at night, but sometimes he has 5 minutes. I would love to teleport and see him in those moments.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Traveling, working out, spending time with family and friends.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Crying laughing face, turned sideways!
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My faith, our son and our marriage.
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: A match and my Bible.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: Give the church a check to finish the new building, build houses for my mom, sister and brother, and go to Australia!
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: That I was a strong woman of faith.
Kim was nominated by Justin Kelley
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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