Editor's note: In keeping with our theme of social media this year, we asked each of "the 20" to submit personally curated photographs and answer questions that offer a sneak peek into their private, as well as professional, life. We also had them choose a location for their lead photo shoot that ties into who they are.
NICOLE WATSON
Waller Law Firm attorney and senior policy advisor; Junior League of Chattanooga past president; Chattanooga "Woman of Distinction" (2019); Girls Inc. of Chattanooga UnBought and UnBossed honoree; board member for various civic organizations
Age: 39
Photo Gallery
Johnny Heflin Humanitarian Award
David Bazzel was honored at the annual Johnny Heflin Humanitarian Award dinner, a fund-raiser for the YMCA of Metropolitan Little Rock held May 12 at Temple B’Nai Israel.
* Facebook or Instagram?
I'm Instagram allll the way. :)
* What would your personal hashtag be?
#ifyouregonnabeabearbeagrizzly
* Most-used emoji?
Definitely "two hands raised in the air."
* What would you list as your top 3 likes? And, dislikes?
Likes: Loyal people, celebrating life events and celebrating them BIG, creativity. Dislikes: Disloyal people, black licorice, bullying.
* How old were you when you got your first cellphone?
17 years old, a senior year in high school. It had an antenna. Enough said.
* Piece of tech you couldn't live without (or wouldn't want to)?
My cellphone. Now that I can participate in Zoom meetings, conference calls and respond to emails on my phone, I could literally rule the world from this device. Everyone should be scared.
* Social media - love it or hate it?
What a dichotomy for me! I love keeping up with friends near and far as they share their happy times, and I know that it is a great marketing tool for businesses and an outlet to get news. BUT, I hate the false sense of social pressure it inherently transmits, and when people weaponize it by using it as a source of gossip and elicit verbal fights in the comments section. Simply put, I love it when it's fun and well-intentioned.
* What was your last post (about)?
The incredibly fun weekend my husband and I just spent in Florida celebrating one of our best friend's birthday with some of our closest friends.
* What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
Having the courage as a young 21-year-old to move to Washington, D.C., barely knowing a soul, to take a job in politics. It catapulted my career. Sometimes taking the biggest chances can lead to your biggest accomplishments. Now, I have a career that I love and that I feel I was born to do, and I get to play a small part in the passage of meaningful laws that hopefully better people's lives, our economy and overall welfare.
* What is the biggest challenge or hardship you have overcome?
As an attorney and lobbyist, I talk, negotiate and compete for wins for a living. The biggest challenge(s) I have overcome is growing a "thick skin" and not sweating the small stuff. As the great Kenny Rogers says in the song "The Gambler," "You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run." Through real life experiences, self-security and maturity, I think I've gotten pretty good with living out Kenny's sage advice by being perceptive, surrounding myself with the good people in my life and balancing a busy work/life schedule.
* What kind of influencer would you be?
It's a tie between hosting/entertaining (I love a strong tablescape) and showcasing the charmed life of our dog, Weeza Watson. Maybe I could title my non-existent blog/website "Weeza's Wingdings."
* Any goals for this year?
Well, I turn 40 this year, so it's a big one! Besides the continual goals of growing professionally, spiritually and ever evolving into a better adult (maybe this is the year I learn to iron?), a huge focus of mine right now is on early childhood literacy in our community. I currently serve on the READ20 board of directors, Friends of the Chattanooga Public Library board, and I am chairing the fundraising committee for the Hamilton County Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program is being administered by Signal Centers and I would love to raise enough funds to start an endowment for this program so it can thrive for years to come.
* What's one thing you would change about Chattanooga and why?
I love Chattanooga. When I moved here in 2013 it instantly felt like home. I am not sure "change" is the correct term, but I would like to see more engagement and community involvement by citizens. Our city is great, and I think if more people were to get actively involved, whether it be civically, politically or philanthropically, they would be very surprised at all the wonderful things happening around them.
* Why did you choose this location for your shoot?
I am a government affairs attorney and senior policy advisor at Waller Law Firm, so I spend the majority of my time working in government buildings with government officials. I split time between Nashville, working on Capitol Hill with state government officials; and in Chattanooga, working with city and county officials, so might as well have this shoot at a place where I would naturally be anyway. Plus, I find City Hall to be a majestic, architecturally beautiful building, and I like the idea of being on the steps of the building where so many important decisions are being made.
* Tell me about one of your favorite memories.
I have two. Personally, my favorite memory is my wedding to my husband, Bo, in 2018. We were married on Sea Island, Georgia, and when we walked out of the chapel as husband and wife, we were greeted by a choir singing "Sign, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder. The choir escorted us and our guests to the cocktail hour and reception. Our photographer snapped a picture of our faces as we walked out and it's one of my favorite pictures that captured the best memory. Professionally, my favorite memory is walking up the steps to the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in 2002 on my first day of work at my first "big girl" job for the late U.S. Sen. John Warner. (Fun fact: My parents dropped me off.) I felt so nostalgic, excited and like my future was wide open. Sen. Warner passed away a few weeks ago and I'll never forget him or that first job.