The People Project:
Rene Roussel
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | July 7, 2021
Meet Rene Roussel!
Rene is from Lutcher, LA where he attended Lutcher High School then Southeastern Louisiana University. He graduated in Business Administration with a minor in Economics in 2016. He took over Roussel's of Ponchatoula in 2011 from his family. He has been married to wife, Kennedy, for 2 years, but they have been together for 13 years. Together they have Alanda (9 months).
We want to thank Rene 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: We are a family business. My Paw Paw opened up in 1976, and I grew up working as early as I can remember. As soon as I could hold a broom, I was doing something to help. We have 5 locations (Ponchatoula, LaPlace, Gramercy, Boutte and Gonzales), and I have been at the Ponchatoula store since 2011.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Roux & Brew. I order the pork tenderloin with grits. It is really good.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in the area?
A: We moved here in 2011 when I took over the store.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Showing cattle with 4H and FFA. I started when I was 9 years old and did it until I was 21.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I travel a lot as it is. I like to stay home with my family.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you saw in a theater?
A: Because of my daughter we watch Disney's Robin Hood over and over! The first movie I saw in the theater is Titanic when I was 9 years old. My mom covered my eyes during the drawing scene. I was so mad!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Going to Alaska to hunt sea ducks.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: We used to see John Prine at Jazz Fest when he played. He played American blue grass type of music.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Definitely Roussel's!
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 jeweler, Harry Winston. We would go wherever he wanted!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: I love that we have a live alligator in Ponchatoula, Hardhide. Did you know she is 64 years old?
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Still active in the local community, but expanding to to more stores locally.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I own a ranch in Kentwood where we breed bulls. We sell about 75 bulls a year.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: The Blind River. We spent so much time on the water.
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 for the store AND our home.
Q: Most commonly used emoji?
A: Sideways laughing face, but I am not a huge emoji guy.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Super strength. I move so many large pieces of furniture!
Q: Do you have a hobby?
A: Hunting in Lutcher and fishing in the Tangipahoa River.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My wife and daughter.
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!
