The People Project:
Leslie Settoon
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | February 4, 2023
Meet Leslie Settoon!
Leslie grew up in Ponchatoula, and has one younger sister. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School, and graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 2001. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University for a couple of years before starting her career.
She has been married to Brett for almost 10 years. Together they have Davis (9) and Flynn (4). They also have a golden doodle, Benny the Jet Rodriguez, Benny for short.
Leslie has been very involved with the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. She was the festival queen in 2002, and the Chairman in 2011. She is the current President of the Louisiana Strawberry Preserve Society. She is also the President of the Home and School Association at St. Joseph Catholic School and Sponsorship Chair of the St. Joseph Spring Fair.
We want to thank Leslie 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 started working at a local bank in Ponchatoula, and I thought that was going to be my career - working in a bank in some capacity. My parents purchased a Subway franchise, and needed me to work with them. So, I quit my job, and started making sandwiches! About a year and a half later, I told my parents I needed a change, so I applied for an operations position in the corporate level of Subway. I have worked in operations since then. I started in 2005, and still work with franchisees. We have about 345 restaurants in our region that we assist and service. I would have never known when I was making sandwiches that it would lead to where I am today.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Every Saturday, my grandparents would come spend the day with us. They would come in the morning, and I could tell when they were coming when I would see the glare from his car windows. I would run outside and sometimes my grandfather would let me sit on his lap and I could drive his car down the gravel driveway.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: France! The champagne region. Paris!
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Either Mary Poppins or The Wizard of Oz. If it is on TV, my dad will call me to tell me. And even though I have it on DVD and I could stream it anytime, I still watch it, commercials and all.
Q: Do you have a favorite book? What do you love about it?
A: Whatever book I finish is usually a favorite. I really like the Harry Potter series and Wicked. I love how creative authors get.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Be kind to one another.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To be satisfied at the end of the day. Or even an era of my life.
Q: What is your favorite type of music? Who is an artist or band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I love all kinds of music. I tend to listen to laid back music like Frank Sinatra or Dave Matthews Band when I am cooking. I would like to see Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band or Frank Sinatra at a supper club.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: D&R. It was a drive-in. They served food, but I only remember the ice cream. Also Grangers fruit stand - they served Slush Puppies. I loved them.
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: The cast of Steel Magnolias, but they would be in character. We would eat in Chinquapin Parish!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: That a lot of people stay and choose to raise their family here. If they do leave, they come back for a visit. I love that people know each other's family, and we are always trying to make connections with each other.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I hope to be enjoying the fruits of my labor with my kids. Watching baseball games. And watching them grow into good humans.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I like to eat alone. It makes me feel empowered. I bring a good book. I also love dining with friends, too, but I enjoy a meal with just me.
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: 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: That is tough - Mexican and Chinese!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to true crime podcasts and music. My mood dictates what type of music I listen to.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was a giftcard to Academy for Davis for his birthday. The last gift I received was an espresso maker from my family for Christmas.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: This one is hard! I would have to say "One Headlight" by the Wallflowers from my freshman year. Lots of memories associated with that song.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A: I want to be magic.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I like going shopping in stores instead of online. I love to host gatherings at our home like a dinner or even drinks.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Laughing with tears or the zany face.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My greatest accomplishment is my family. I am also proud of owning my own business.
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: Sunglasses and my husband.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: Tuition for the boys from now until college, pay off debt for my friends and family and a great trip to Europe!
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: I would like it to be that I made a difference in someone's life - even if it was small. I would like to be remembered for being kind and a listening ear.
Leslie was nominated by Jamie Holley
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