The People Project:
Victoria James
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | June 19, 2021
Meet Victoria James!
Victoria grew up in Independence and Ponchatoula. She is married to husband, Michael, and together they have a son, Porter (3). Victoria graduated from Ponchatoula High School, then got a degree in Social Work from Southeastern Louisiana University and a degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Louisiana Monroe. She is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and has worked with senior citizens for 8 years. She is now the Program and Outreach Director for The Phoenix at Hammond, a new Senior Living Community.
We want to thank Victoria 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: That came from my love for my grandparents and their experience with various healthcare providers…some good, some bad. I was raised to have respect for seniors and it is something that has always been important to me.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Buddies Bar and Grill. I get the Grilled Pork Chop…it is huge! I can never finish it in one sitting.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Attending American Legion meetings with my grandparents, and helping with the American Legion booth selling po-boys at the Sicilian Festival.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I did study abroad in Spain. I would love to bring my family to Valencia someday, that would be awesome.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: My favorite movie…that’s tough. Anything with Julia Roberts…or Tombstone. The first movie I saw in a theater was The Lion King.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
A: Energy is contagious.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To find the place in Italy that my family is derived from.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: Garth Brooks puts on a pretty good show!
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Pete’s Pharmacy in Independence. I used to go weekly with my grandmother in her Crown Vic…even if she didn’t need anything. It was the local hangout.
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: Warren Buffet. He is self-made. I have lots of respect for people who are not afraid to fail and who learn from their experiences. And for people who come into situations where they know they don’t know the answers, but are willing to work to figure it out. Or Michael Phelps for the same reason. I respect people with grit.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: I love that you can go anywhere and meet someone new...and they will know someone who knows you.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I’d like to have advanced to be the director of one of our amazing facilities.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: That I think before I act. I come off as impulsive, but I put a lot of thought into my actions.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Comfort.
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: Oh, a housekeeper, 100%. That’s a job by itself. And the cleanliness of my house has an immediate impact on my mood and my ability to relax.
Q: Most commonly used emoji?
A: Crying laughing
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: The ability to be in two places at once!
Q: Do you have a hobby?
A: My hobby is to learn new hobbies and about new hobbies! I’ve recently been learning about beekeeping, ceramics, jewelry, micro-greens farming…a lot of things!
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: Of course, my son. But also my grit. I’m not one that will ever quit.
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!
