Natasha Thompson, “Tashi,” was born in Florida and grew up in Daytona Beach. She was raised alongside her three brothers and sister by their loving mom. Her mother and siblings helped her, “the baby,” stay in a comfortable bubble during her childhood, attending a small private Christian school for her entire school career. This positive, protective environment did much to form Tashi’s optimistic outlook on life, viewing the world with endless possibility.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
While I am close with my nuclear family and my partner Ryan’s family, I consider our young family to be myself, Ryan, and our two adorable Frenchie pups (who have been an inspiration to my current endeavors).
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I decided I needed to “break out” of my childhood bubble and see the world. I trained as a flight attendant and came to work for American Airlines. Having already met Ryan, we kept a long-distance relationship going for years before finally deciding to start commuting from our home together in Miami, FL. Like many other people during the COVID pandemic, I was furloughed and this turn of events led to the birth of my business Frenchie Friends! What started as a side hobby celebrating French bull dogs has lead to a full time business providing ALL THINGS FRENCHIE and more!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Eva’s for breakfast. Although Ryan and I are relatively new to Summerville, they already know us! We also love 5 Loaves Cafe and I love my Boba tea from Cuppa Manna.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Just since March 2021! But I’ve jumped in with both feet and have already gotten my business and retail license. I love this community, and it already feels like home.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
It’s hard to pinpoint just ONE person. I would say my neighbors or “the strip” as Ryan and I call them. They have all been so welcoming and kind. We never experienced this while living in Miami. This community is very special.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
TN! I am a huge country music fan and I just was to be a part of the scene…bars, live country music, the whole Nashville vibe. It’s the reason I wanted to be a flight attendant, but I never actually went there!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Lilo & Stitch because it reminds me of my relationship between me and my dog Chewy! I also love crime dramas and documentaries.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t take things too serious. The older I get the less important some things have become. Try not to stress the things that don’t really matter at the end of the day.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Expanding my Frenchie Friends business to other breeds! Thinking big!
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Rascal Flatts
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Vintage Vibes- you never know what you are going to find in there. They know us by name, and I get so much inspiration from that store!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Lori from Shark Tank. She’s the QVC goddess! I’d love to pick her brain, and we’d go to 5 Loaves.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The fact that it IS A COMMUNITY. How many people have lunch with their Realtor? Neighbors have coffee with each other…other places are not like here. They keep their head down and don’t look at one another. Here we say “Hi!” and people make eye contact.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In the SAME HOUSE! Building a family of “people nuggets” and probably even more plugged into our community.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That when I make my mind up about something, I’m ALL IN 100%. I can obsess over things a bit.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Lake Tahoe, NV. It was a random trip Ryan and I took one winter as a flight attendant, and it was like we stepped into a Hallmark Christmas movie. We almost got snowed in!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My birthday, March 3rd. I celebrate the whole month!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
French Bull Dogs. They are God’s gift to earth.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Ryan. It sounds cheesy, but he stands by me good or bad. He is such a good man. He drives me crazy sometimes cause I don’t always WANT to do the right thing, but he’ll say, “That’s not what we’re about.” He always does the right thing, no matter what.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Vanilla
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Ryan, Chewy, and Yoda…doesn’t matter where that is, if they are there.
