The People Project:
Samantha Bates
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | January 15, 2022
Meet Samantha Bates!
Samantha grew up in Gretna as an only child, and graduated from Archbishop Blenk High School in 2000. She moved to Hammond to attend Southeastern Louisiana University and fell in love with the area. She also met her husband, Cyrus, while in Hammond, and decided to make this area her home. They married in 2007, and together they have two dogs (Poppy and Moo) that they rescued. Samantha is the owner of Especially For You Floral in downtown Ponchatoula (Instagram, Facebook). She is the sitting past-President for the Louisiana State Florist Association. She is also a member of the Tangipahoa Professional Women's Organization and the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce.
We want to thank Samantha 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 trying to figure out what I wanted to do, and at dinner one evening, my father-in-law suggested I become a florist. Nine months later, I purchased the building we are in now, and haven't looked back! It will be 11 years in August that it all began. I love design, and I bring that to my work. We are a full-service florist. Anything from fresh to permanent botanicals. We can assist with anything from a small arrangement, like a boutonniere, to large-scale weddings, and everything in between. We also have a large delivery area that we cover, from Springfield to Madisonville and up to Independence. Also, during the Christmas holidays, we offer a decorating service, where we come in and decorate your tree.
But I would say our specialty is weddings. We work with brides from all over the parish and New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Covington, Mandeville…even Mississippi and Texas! I love when a bride shows me a photo of something she wants and we make it happen for her.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Roux & Brew! I order the charcuterie board. I love it!
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Every Summer, from the time I can remember until we all moved for college, my cousins and I would spend every day at my grandparents' pool. It was the best. My grandmother would make us pizza rolls and put them on a crawfish plastic tray, and we would just love it.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: St. Lucia. We are big Sandals Resort fans! We try to go to a new resort every two years on a trip to relax. We stay for at least 10 days to fully enjoy our time there. We are the ones with our coffee at the pool at 6:30am ready to get the day started. We were suppose to go to Barbados, but had to cancel with COVID. We will make it happen!
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: I love movies! I do not watch any TV shows, but I love movies. It's a Wonderful Life during Christmas time is a classic. But I really love The Sound of Music. I know every word to all the songs! If A Few Good Men is on, we have to put it on. I know every word to it! The first movie I saw in a theater was The Little Mermaid with my mom.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Don’t overthink things!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To own a Brandon Maxwell dress! They are so beautiful and timeless.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I like Mumford & Sons. Also Garth Brooks. I grew up listening to him, I know every word to his songs. And we will be seeing him when he comes!
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Paul's Cafe. I eat there at least 5 times a week. Their pea salad is so good. When it is on the menu, I always get a few orders of it.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: Hitomi Gilliam. She is a world known floral designer in Canada. I would let her decide where we would eat.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: I love how Ponchatoula is a bit of an art destination. It is inviting for creative people. I also love the small town feel. People at the bank know my name.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Still in our same location! More focus on weddings.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I feel like I am very resourceful. I have been in many floral design competitions and you just have to figure it out with the tools you have. My husband and I always joke, all I need is my toolbox!
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Pajamas and 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: An assistant for my shop and personal life. I would love someone to do all my paperwork and social media. That would allow me to devote more time to design.
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: Philly cheese steaks, but only from Philly!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to podcasts. I just started a few months ago, and I am into Crime Junkie and Morbid.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was some art kits to my 5-year-old niece for Christmas. She was loving it. The last gift I received was the Garth Brooks tickets from my brother-and sister-in-law.
Q: What are you known for?
A: In design for my architectural and geometric shapes. I prefer those to the massive, lush look.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: There were so many good groups then! Beastie Boys, Boys II Men.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To have more arms! The ability to be able to do more at once.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I like doing macrame and I love movies. When the list of movies from the Cannes Film Festival comes out, I can't wait to watch some. I prefer independent films.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Thumbs up!
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: Not holding back when I wanted to do something. I have the "Okay, let's do it!" mindset.
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 sweater, I'm always cold! And my toolbox with a knife in it.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: We just had the fence in our backyard put up since Ida, and we must have spent an hour outside last night talking about it. How good it looked, how the fence deserved lights so we can see in a corner, how straight the boards looked. It is hilarious now, but we were really loving it last night!
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: I would finish paying off our home, get the Brandon Maxwell dress I want and take everyone on vacation. Somewhere in the sand.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: For design, I would like to be known for my innovation. Personally, I would like to be remembered that I am a caring person. I am willing to be there for people. And that my family knows that I love them.
Samantha was nominated by Kim Zabbia
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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