10 Year Vision for Knoxville
Knoxville is the greatest "big" little city in the country, in my opinion. We are close in proximity to the mountains and the most visited National Park. It would be great for Knoxville to capitalize on that by finding ways to bring some of those 11 plus million visitors per year to the city of Knoxville. We should continue growth in areas of housing, education, mental healthcare, law enforcement and local businesses. I understand the importance of bringing in larger companies for jobs, but keeping local businesses prominent in our city will allow us to remain unique.
What is Knoxville's Best Kept Secret?
Knoxville has some really great restaurants and chefs that would surprise some of the most selective food critics. Being from New Orleans, a city that is known for its culinary experiences, I was delightfully surprised to find some of the hidden gems in and around our city.
What would you do to strengthen Knoxville?
I believe we have many great resources that our community is not aware of. We seem to be disjointed at times and in various places. The message doesn't always seem clear and unified. I would like for us to study and visit other great "big" little cities and take a page or two from their book. The city of Knoxville is growing by leaps and bounds. The infrastructure must have a solid foundation in order to keep up and support that growth. Law enforcement is top of mind as our city continues to grow. As an owner of a business with a downtown Knoxville office location, this is important to me as it should be to our entire community.
What is your favorite Knoxville memory?
I have lived here since 2005. My favorite Knoxville memory has to be the first time I went to a show at the beautiful Tennessee Theatre! What a gem we have there. It's grand and majestic, in every way. I was in awe the first time I entered the theatre and still relish in the moment each time I attend a show.
What is your favorite book or what book is currently on your nightstand?
My favorite book is "A Piece of Cake" by Cupcake Brown. It's a true and incredible story of what Cupcake Brown overcame to become the success she is today. It's inspiring and uplifting. Anything is possible and you truly can be anything that you want to be. Determination.
What is the best advice you have received from a mentor, and who was that mentor?
I have had several great mentors, but there are a couple of things that have stuck with me from childhood. These two things have played an integral part of who I am today, and also my son because I used these as core values while raising him. This advice came from my mother: Hard work pays off. Nothing in life is free, nor are you entitled to anything. The world owes you nothing. Great work ethic will take you far in life. My softball coach who coached our team to 7 consecutive years of undefeated championships taught us this: You don't get a trophy just for showing up. If you want a trophy you have to win. In order to win, you have to practice and practice takes sacrifice. You win with humility and lose with grace. I have applied that to all parts of mine and my son's life on and off the field.
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
Marry him anyway because you're going to get a beautiful son to share life with who will then give you an amazing grandson that will fill your heart with more love than you ever could have imagined. Dream big. Your future is bright. Life is going to continue to be hard. One day at a time. You're going to overcome more in the first 38 years of life than most will in a lifetime, but it only makes you stronger. Be active in your community. Be a voice, but also take action. If you want change, you have to do something to effect change. Love even though you've been hurt. Smile even when you don't feel like smiling. Be kind, you never know what someone is going through. Be the change you want to see in others.
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