The People Project:
Rachel Vogel
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | January 26, 2022
Meet Rachel Vogel!
Rachel lives in Ponchatoula and grew up in St. Bernard Parish, in a small town called St. Bernard. She is the oldest of five siblings. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Chalmette in 2001. She met her husband, Nick, working at a grocery store when they were in high school. They got married in 2003, and have one son, Ethan. She attended a few universities, until she decided to work in the healthcare field in a Data Management role. Together, she and her family relocated to Tennessee after they lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. They lived there for 9 years before moving back to Louisiana in 2014. They have three dogs, Bella, Beau and Rex. Rachel is also very involved with Born With Angel Wings, a non-profit organization that provides burial garments to infants who earn their wings at birth. The gowns are made from donated wedding dresses.
We want to thank Rachel 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 get involved with Born With Angel Wings?
A: We actually were able to salvage a few things after Katrina, and my wedding dress was one of them. About two years ago, I decided to donate it. I didn't want to give it to a thrift store- I didn't want it to be someone's Zombie Bride costume on Halloween. So, I started looking for places, and I came across Born With Angel Wings. I fell in love with what it was about, and I got to know the founders, Anne and Cliff Ancelet. They are primarily in Baton Rouge, and I saw a need for it in Tangipahoa. We deliver Angel Boxes to 11 hospitals and funeral homes from Slidell to Baton Rouge. I started working with the volunteers and am working on ways to create systems to make it the best it can be. We currently have about 100 volunteers who sew and do any other tasks that we need. We are always looking for people who can sew. We have workshops where volunteers come together and sew the gowns and make the other items that go into the boxes, like bracelets or hats. It has been such a rewarding experience. I have met so many wonderful people. (For more information on how you can help, click here.)
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Jacmel Inn! I recently had the flounder stuffed with eggplant and other things. It was so good. Also their house salad dressing is delicious.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Family dinners at my Granny's and Maw Maw's houses. There were so many people there, and it was so chaotic and fun. Everyone lived within 10 minutes of each other.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Somewhere warm! I would like to visit the Canary Islands. My family is from there, I think it would be cool to see it.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: My childhood favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz. We didn't go to the movies that much, but I do remember when my Mom would come home with a new Disney movie in the clamshell case. We would be so excited and watch them over and over.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: If you feel overwhelmed or stressed, do something for someone else. You will always walk away feeling better.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: More traveling. Anywhere, both domestic and international.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I listen to lots of different music. I like oldies, Frankie Valli, The Supremes. I would love to see Elton John perform! I actually won tickets to see him, but because I wasn't 21 at the time, they said I couldn't go because it was in a bar. I was devastated!
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: The Queen of England. We would have high tea at one of their castles.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: How quaint it is. That’s one thing that drew us here when we were deciding where to move. People are friendly and we like the small town feel, even though we are close to other big cities.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Traveling more! Our son is in college, and we are at the point in our lives that we can do that more.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I am not afraid of a home project or to get my hands dirty. My family had a hardware store, and I worked there growing up. I learned a lot from being there, which has helped me throughout my life.
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: My husband likes to drive, so I already have a driver. I would have to say chef. Since Ethan left for school, I haven't been cooking as much.
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 would have to say seafood because of where I grew up.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Try to figure out how it works! I recently got a new car, and there are so many features to it I am still learning every time I get in it. Or I listen to the radio.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was to my sister for Christmas. I shipped her a variety of local items like a towel from Roussel's, some goodies from Berry Town Produce and other things. Last gift I received was a bluetooth speaker from my office. They randomly send us gifts here and there.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Being dependable. If I say I will do something it will get done. I give it 150%.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Teleporting!
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Volunteering, reading, running and listening to true crime podcasts.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The crying laughing one.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My husband and Ethan. And I am proud that they are so supportive of all my ideas. Last year I decided to get my Project Certification for work, and they both were so supportive, doing more around the house to make sure I didn't have as much to do.
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 husband, he is very handy too. And books!
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: I'm sure something the dogs did recently. I work from home, so we are always together. They make me laugh everyday.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: I would spend it on a vacation house. Only select people would know where it is!
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!
