Michelle Gobert, Owner of Signs Now New Orleans Presents President Obama

“I received a call from the White House asking if I would submit my Katrina hurricane story,” said Michelle Gobert, who’s been an Alliance Franchise Brands franchisee in New Orleans for 25 years. “I had no idea what would happen, but several days later I got another call from the White House inviting me to present the President of the United States at the 10th anniversary commemoration. I’m not big on public speaking or being in the limelight—I felt God was testing me. But, I was not going to say ‘no.’ The White House provided talking points, and I wrote my own introduction. I was back stage with White House staff and security detail when the president got off the elevator. He walked right to me and said, ‘You must be Michelle Gobert.’ He and I talked for several minutes. Guessing I was probably a New Orleans Saints fan, he smiled and asked if I would make him a Chicago Bears sign. He autographed my speech and made me feel at ease. Even then, it was a long walk to the podium. After his remarks, he went into the crowd and met my family and spoke with my father and my husband. As he was leaving, he found me and said, ‘I think I’ve met your entire family.’ In my wildest dreams, presenting the president was not on my bucket list. It proves, when you’re active in the business community, you never know when you might be called.”