By KEVIN CHIRI

Publisher

LAPLACE – The rise of Gooden Homes in St. John Parish culminated this past week with the grand opening of their newly-renovated office at 607 Main Street.

Jimmie Gooden and his wife Nashonda unveiled the beautiful new office in LaPlace, that will better serve the rising list of clients the local businessman has enjoyed over his still relatively short time in business.

Gooden, 35, began Gooden Homes in 1998, and in the short span of seven years, is now building over 130 homes a year.

Graduating from Dillard University with a degree in management, he came to LaPlace in 1993 after living in New Orleans, seeking the quieter, suburban atmosphere.

He initially began Gooden Transportation, but said his love for New Orleans architecture, real estate and design led him to try his hand at building homes.

The impressive thing about Gooden is that he didn’t start with a 1,000 square foot starter home, but instead jumped right into the market with a 4,500 square foot home in River Oaks Subdivision.

“I did OK on that and loved the business of designing and building homes,” he said.

His rise in the building business has been evident by seeing Gooden Homes signs all over the region.

The key to his success, he says, is his customer service, which includes Gooden personally helping design each home that he builds.

“We work with people to help them design their home, and we do it all right here. And after that, I think the thing that separates us is the customer service we provide after the sale. I have one full-time person to just ensure people are receiving good customer service even after they have moved in,” he added.

Gooden showed his committment to stay in the area by sinking $70,000 into the renovation of his new office on Main Street. He thanked C.J. Clement of First National Bank for their assistance.

“I think this shows people here that we are here to stay for the long haul,” he remarked. “I walk hand-in-hand with every person through the process of having their home built, and I think that also helps us be different.”

Jimmie and Nashonda live in St. John Parish and have two sons, Timmy Jr. and Jhase.