Music City, TN May 2023

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Women’s Issue with Nikki Burdine

MAY 2023

Marvelous Mesdames

Mothers, sisters, wives, aunts and daughters are some of the most influential women in our lives.

And of course with Mother’s Day this month, attention is on moms. However, it’s not just biological mothers, but the mother figures in our lives who've made indelible impacts on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors taking awesome steps in our communities, pouring into our lives -- making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize businesses owned by women in our community. That’s one of my favorite parts of this role -connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes to Nashville's women. They are movers and shakers, builders and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their silent service blesses those who are under their care. Their attention to detail shows us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

Please take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call, set up a special beverage toast or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. Brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them.

Smiles to all,

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Kaufman | j.kaufman@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Stephanie Krejci

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Julie Brown Patton, Delia Jo Ramsey, Sue Baldani, Cortney Wilbanks

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Christy Hunter, Kendal Patterson

(Lovely House Media), Mary Craven Photography, Kelly Dunn, Melanie Davis, James Williams

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

JENNIFER KAUFMAN, PUBLISHER @MUSICCITYCITYLIFESTYLE
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inside the issue The Ladies’ Issue MAY 2023 ON THE COVER DEPARTMENTS 4 Lifestyle Letter 8 City Scene 10 Business Monthly 14 Inspired By PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 20 Travel Journal TRAVEL 26 Hot Spot ENTERTAINMENT 30 Local Limelight LOCAL SERVICES 32 Back Stage LIFE + CULTURE 32 30 20 14 FEATURED 14 Professional Perspectives From Nashville Fempreneurs Music City City Lifestyle Asked Local Business Women Three Key Questions 20 Take A Girls' Trip To This Jungle Retreat Costa Rica's Boutique Wellness Destination Nalu Nosara Awaits With Luxury 30 Authentic Plus Strategic Relationships TN Women Connect Networking Group Provides Multiple Ways For Women To Collaborate 32 Overcoming Adversity How Nikki Burdine Found Her Way Into Television Photography: Christy Hunter/Photowalk Nashville Cover features Nashville news anchor and author Nikki Burdine (@nikkiburdine). Cover shoot location provided by The Paper House in East Nashville (@paperhousetn). Styled by The Showroom Nashville (@theshowroomnashville).  6
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The New Frontier of Fertility Medicine

For couples struggling with the heartbreak of infer�lity, the journey to achieving a healthy live birth is o�en long, expensive, and both physically and emo�onally exhaus�ng.

While in vitro fer�liza�on (IVF) offers a promising route for some, there’s another op�on that is o�en faster, less expensive, and provides a higher probability of producing a healthy baby: embryo adop�on.

“Many people don’t know about embryo adop�on, even some specialists in the field,” says Jaime Vasquez, M.D., a global industry leader and owner of the American Embryo Adop�on Agency in Nashville, a clinic that facilitates over 150 embryo adop�ons each year. “It’s one of the greatest demonstra�ons of love there is for both donor parents and adop�ve parents.”

The Gi� of Life

The embryo adop�on process begins with an IVF pa�ent who has frozen embryos remaining a�er they have successfully completed their family and achieved a healthy live birth or births. Rather than paying for indefinite storage or allowing for termina�on, couples can choose to preserve this precious life and, without compensa�on, donate the embryos, as “there’s no currency to match the value of

human life,” says Dr. Vasquez.

“Donor parents are o�en so grateful for their successful IVF experience that they want to share that success with another couple going through the same fer�lity challenges,” he adds.

Adop�ve embryos undergo rigorous gene�c tes�ng to ensure the absence of abnormali�es that would prohibit a successful pregnancy or live birth. The embryo’s DNA quali�es are so in�mately known that adop�ve parents can select the gender, race, and even hair and eye colors of their adop�ve child. The process of receiving donated embryos is private, discreet, and allows the intended parents to have their future children resemble their own features or racial heritage if desired.

The financial requirements, too, are a significant considera�on in comparing embryo adop�on with tradi�onal adop�on or IVF. Both tradi�onal adop�on and each IVF cycle

can cost upward of $50,000, while the en�re embryo adop�on process is typically less than $15,000 and requires drama�cally less medical interven�on for the host mother.

Embryo adop�on is par�cularly helpful for women struggling with low-quality eggs. “The process is more reliable than IVF because the donated embryos have already received the highest level of DNA tes�ng, and unlike tradi�on adop�on, embryo adop�on mothers can s�ll experience the miracle of pregnancy, childbirth, and even breas�eeding, if they choose,” says Dr. Vasquez.

The American Embryo Adop�on Agency does not discriminate based on a pa�ent’s marital status or sexual orienta�on.

“Our job is to serve people,” says Dr. Vasquez. “We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have a family, and it’s a wonderful gi� for an adop�ve parent to offer an unborn child the opportunity of life.”

The American Embryo Adop�on Agency is a sister organiza�on of The Center for Reproduc�ve Health, a comprehensive Nashville-based fer�lity clinic that has helped couples achieve their dreams of family for over 20 years. www.crhnashville.com
PROMOTION
The
American Embryo Adop� on Agency offers
a unique, reliable, and cost-effec�ve path for achieving a healthy pregnancy and live birth.
2410
37203 615-321-8866 www.embryoadoptionusa.com
Patterson Street, Suite 401 • Nashville, TN
Jaime Vasquez, M.D.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Nashville Ballet's Artistic Director Paul Vasterling Retires

Nashville Ballet team members concluded their 2022-23 Season at TPAC with  New in Nashville. a celebration of long-time artistic director Paul Vasterling, who's been a part of the company for three-plus decades. Under his leadership, the company grew from a troupe of 12 dancers to 32 full-time, professional artists, toured internationally, made regional and national broadcast television debuts and collaborated with artists such as Maren Morris, Rhiannon Giddens, Ben Folds, Twyla Tharp and Jennifer Archibald.

Scan to read more.

Catch Raeanne Rubenstein Photo Exhibit Before It Ends This Month

A 20-photo special exhibit of work by celebrity photographer Raeanne Rubenstein (1945-2019) is free and open to the public through May at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the museum’s Community Corridor, located on the first floor. The exhibit, titled "Raeanne Rubenstein: Shooting Stars," features photographs of celebrities and musical luminaries taken between 1969 and 1979, including many now iconic images of country music artists. She published 10 photography books.

Scan to read more.

Southern Domestic Diva CEO Named Young Alumna Of The Year

Southern Domestic Diva CEO and owner Allie Williamson was honored with the young alumna of the year award at her alma mater, University of Southern Mississippi. Allie earned a bachelor's degree in hospitality at USM. Her multi-services cleaning company assists more than 800 clients in Nashville and Southwest Mississippi regarding residential, commercial and rental properties. She founded Southern Domestic Diva in 2014, and now employs 70-plus women. She recently also authored a cookbook.

Scan to read more.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/MusicCity

BUSINESS MONTHLY MAY 2023
Photography Courtesy of Nashville Ballet Photography Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Photography by Kelly Dunn
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Professional Perspectives From Nashville Fempreneurs

MUSIC CITY CITY LIFESTYLE ASKED

LOCAL BUSINESS WOMEN THREE

KEY QUESTIONS

One of Marcie Allen Van Mol’s favorite quotes that helps and comforts her during difficult times is from Fred Rogers (better known as Mister Rogers on television): “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

As a Nashville native and co-owner of Anzie Blue, recently renamed AB, Marcie says business owners must focus on culture “first and foremost,” because teams “need to respect one another and support growth as a team.” She and her husband, Derek, AB co-owner, modeled this concept and business approach by recently reopening AB from its former Hillsboro Village restaurant status into a community space “designed by locals, for locals” for live music and events, one that “welcomes everyone.”

Marcie says she wants to find balance between work and personal life. “I’ll be 50 years old this year, and I’m hoping this is the year it will finally come to fruition.”

615.866.9545

AnzieBlue.com

INSPIRED BY |
SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL
Marcie Van Mol Marcie Van Mol /
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Photo by Mary Craven Photography

Each woman showcased in this feature responded to three questions:

1. How do you persevere through tough times?

2. What are your tips for improving a company?

3. What do you want to next achieve on a personal level?

Becoming a first-time business owner at age 62 of Radianté Spa Nashville was truly an eye-opening and challenging experience, admits Dee Knapper. She says one of the first obstacles to overcome for the operation was the COVID-19 closure and the aftermath in the first six months after opening her spa.

“The thing that has kept me going through hard times has been remembering why I love what I do. Being able to help someone find the confidence to wear shorts or a bathing suit or that sleeveless dress for the wedding for the first time in years is such a rewarding accomplishment,” she says. “What I do helps people feel better about themselves. And a confident woman (or man) is a Powerful Woman (or Man). I love connecting personally with my clients so I can’t give up when things are hard.”

In today’s world of ‘Big Business,’ Dee says she thinks the art of maintaining the personal touch so clients are validated and know they’re appreciated has gotten lost to corporate mentality and chain businesses. “In my opinion, in any business, connecting personally with clients and maintaining a servant attitude will set your business apart from others. Being a successful business is not all about the bottom line. For me, it’s about being a business that leaves a positive impact on its customers,” she adds.

Dee’s current, personal goals remain focused toward her dream for her business. “I’m building my Dream and that’s very personal to me,” she explains.

“At this point in my life, I can pour myself into making it happen, and that’s what I’m doing. My Dream for Radianté Spa is to grow a full-service, multilocation, personal care spa that people come to because they trust in the name Radianté. They know that Radianté holds their best interest above all else, and they feel good just walking through the door,” Dee adds.

“I work hard at developing trust with my clients. I believe it will pay off in the end.”

615.510.7719 RadianteSpa.com

Doylene (DeeDee) Knapper
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Doylene (DeeDee) Knapper / Photo by James Williams

Owner of Bennett Galleries since 2019, Elizabeth Perkins assures her unshakeable Christian faith gets her through tribulations. “We just lived through a horrific nightmare with our neighbors down the street at The Covenant School, and it was our faith we leaned on,” she explains.

Elements of her faith, such as patience, kindness, grace and mercy, she says, help propel her each day.

Her first tip for company improvement is to keep the atmosphere “light-hearted and inviting.” She reminds us that smiling is an integral part of solid customer service, and says “keeping proper perspective” also helps. “And I think companies need consistency to do good jobs.”

Elizabeth’s personal goals are to be creative with learning pottery, do more volunteer work and travel more.

Check out the gallery’s upcoming Spring Artist Showcase at 2104 Crestmoor Road on May 20 from 6-8 p.m., featuring artists John Hyche, Saul Gray-Hildenbrand and Greg Decker.

615.297.3201

BennettGalleriesNashville.com

Businesses need great teams to survive tough times, assures Leslie Embry, founder/owner of The Blowout Co. of Nashville. “The pandemic was rough on my industry, but I was blessed to have a dedicated team who stuck by me and our mission through it all. My faith and family also carry me through times when I struggle,” she says.

Leslie believes several steps can be taken to improve companies. “You should work ‘on’ your business, not ‘in’ your business. Culture is also important, as in creating one you’d want to be a part of every day,” she asserts. “Accountability and transparency also are important, and asking for help when you need it.”

She adds business teams also should have systems in place that are easy to follow. “I’m not saying I’m the best at any of these, but they make for a great environment.”

Regarding Leslie’s objectives for her life’s next chapter, she says she’s attempting to better focus on her health and wellness. She admits, “I’ve let the stress of the past few years get to me, and affect my sleep especially. I need to make sure I’m working out and putting my health first.”

The Gulch: 615.244.8243

Belle Meade: 615.353.3002

BlowoutCo.com

Leslie Embry
Elizabeth Perkins
Elizabeth Perkins / Photo by Melanie Davis
INSPIRED BY | PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 16
Leslie Embry

To persevere through tough times, founder of Southern Domestic Diva Allie Williamson says she pauses to remember what she’s created is tangible. “Knowing no one can take away what I’ve built helps me stay motivated and grounded. I actively keep my head in the Word of God and give myself positive affirmations, paired with the knowledge I can always depend on my team and family.”

Companies can improve by ensuring positive cultures are established through their teams and clientele, reminds Allie. “In addition, staying consistent and not becoming complacent, are also important to keeping your business environment efficient. Lastly, make sure you share your story, because people want to hear it! Everyone’s story is different, and it helps to speak to who you are and your business’ values.”

In her personal life, Allie says she’s working on becoming more balanced and aware, using yoga and meditation as a consistent morning routine. “I’ve had many pivotal moments in my life slip by because I was too anxious to enjoy them in the moment. I want to leave anxiety behind and focus on the present,” she asserts.

629.800.5134

SouthernDomesticDiva.com

As CEO of The Urban Juicer in Nashville, Celeste Krenz says the company perseveres because she and her staff honestly believe in providing healthy food that’s both accessible and affordable. “My biggest asset is our Urban Juicer team. Trusting our team on a professional and personal level every day keeps things tight. When things get tough, we stick together.”

“Companies are literally people in action, and authentically valuing our team makes us stronger,” she adds.

To improve, she suggests being clear with growth objectives and not growing too fast. She adds it’s about living an excellent company culture, from top down and bottom up. “Being relentless in watching and proactively controlling expenses is an obvious path to success, but so hard for small companies that may be understaffed administratively.”

“Lastly, but equally as important, pay attention to needs of your customers and keep the concept fresh, relevant, creative,” she asserts.

Celeste says she’s now paying attention to her health and fitness, and wants to live a quality life with balance and purpose. “My focus for the past two years has been finding time for a consistent exercise regimen, making time for travel and getting back to nature. It reminds us of how really small we are in the best way.”

1.855.90JUICE TheUrbanJuicer.com
Allie Williamson
Celeste Krenz Allie Williamson / Photo by Kelly Dunn
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Celeste Krenz
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Take A Girls' Trip To This Jungle Retreat

Costa Rica's Boutique Wellness Destination Nalu Nosara Awaits With Luxury

TRAVEL
|
JOURNAL
TRAVEL
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Demanding jobs and long hours, working for the weekend and saving for vacations a couple times a year — it’s a grind many know all too well. That’s the same story for Domel and Mariya Libid, a couple from NYC who at one time only dreamt of calling Costa Rica home. After having their first child in New York, the couple didn’t have the quality time they wanted to spend as new parents, due to grueling work schedules. So the couple decided to take the big leap once their second child was born. After years of repeat visits to Nosara to escape to warm water surf and yoga classes in the jungle, the visits were getting longer and longer, and they eventually decided they were never moving back to New York. They returned to their home state only to sell all of their belongings, stateside.

Five years, later, the Libids today own Nalu Nosara — a boutique hotel/villas and an oasis amid the beautiful beaches, lush forests, ample wildlife, and vibrant culture of Costa Rica. Nosara is a stunning area, located on the Northern coast of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. Located in the heart of Guiones, Nalu is walkable to surfing, shopping and dining options, and an excellent spot for a fun-filled girls' trip, relaxing couples' retreat, or refreshing solo wellness escape.

Open since the end of 2016, Nalu is the perfect destination for a solo wellness escape, romantic couples getaway, or a luxurious ladies retreat. The owners worked with world-renowned architect Benjamin Garcia Saxe to design gorgeous suites, villas and fitness studio from the

ground up. The fitness studio offers yoga and kickboxing classes to the public. There’s a spa on-site offering relaxation in the form of therapeutic bodywork, physical therapy and chiropractic. The latest additions to Nalu are the exclusive luxury villas, which each come with their own private saltwater pool and stellar surf break ocean views. The beach is also just a short walk away.

The word "nalu" translates to "wave" or "to go with the flow" in Hawaiian, and in Costa Rica, the phrase "pura vida" is a common one, meaning to have "eternal optimism" or "just go with the flow" — and that’s the motto for the Libid family. "It’s exactly how we strive to live our lives."

NaluNosara.com

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TRAVEL JOURNAL | TRAVEL
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Nalu Nosara is a boutique jungle oasis in Nosara, Costa Rica, with private pool villas and a fitness studio to practice yoga, martial arts and happiness.

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The Sky’s The Limit

Plan Girls’ Night Out, One That Won't Soon Be Forgotten

Pop icon Debbie Gibson is coming on June 17 to Skydeck, Nashville’s largest rooftop patio and concert venue. Located at Fifth + Broadway, which has numerous restaurants and stores, this concert is a perfect opportunity for an all-encompassing, fun girls’ night out.

“Debbie Gibson is all about empowering women and has been from the beginning of her career,” says Andrea Rizk, public relations consultant for Fifth + Broadway. “It’s going to be a high-energy show by a great artist celebrating women.”

Guests may arrive before the concert to have a delicious meal and fancy cocktail, then do a little shopping. After the show, wind down at one of the many bars and restaurants.

Although Andrea has a great affinity for all the establishments at Fifth + Broadway, here are her recommendations for girlfriends getting together to create lasting memories.

Dining

Boqueria is a Spanish tapas-style restaurant offering small plates to pass and share. It also has spectacular sangria and cocktails.

Sixty Vines is a lovely seasonally-sourced restaurant and wine bar.

Both restaurants are wonderful pre-show stops.

Cocktails

One More Cocktail Club is fun and fashioned like an old-time speakeasy.

Pushing Daisies is a unique underground margarita bar.

Shopping

Lip Lab is really cool. Make custom lipstick shades to wear to the concert.

Garage Sale Vintage is a clothing store with T-shirts, leather jackets, boots and more from the 80s. It also sells vinyl records; there might even be a few from Debbie Gibson.

For those who get thirsty while looking through merchandise, grab a drink or even a Jell-O shot at its tequila and mezcal bar. “Shop and refresh at the same time,” suggests Andrea.

Stroll around Hollie Ray Boutique, which is owned by two sisters from Franklin. There are high-quality jewelry, gifts and accessories to admire.

Want to take a little piece of Nashville with you? Then stop at The NASH Collection for a great selection of headwear, clothing and gifts.

To buy tickets and plan a great night, go to  AssemblyFoodHall.com/events

In 1987, at the age of 17, Debbie Gibson released “Out of the Blue,” one of the greatest pop albums of the 80s. Last year, she released “The Body Remembers,” with a vintage dance-floor vibe.

Courtesy of Lip Lab HOT SPOT | ENTERTAINMENT
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TOP: Boqueria / Photo by Kendal Patterson (Lovely House Media) RIGHT: Debbie Gibson / Photo by Nick Spanos
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LEFT: One More Cocktail Club / Photo by Kendal Patterson (Lovely House Media)

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Authentic Plus Strategic Relationships

TN Women Connect Networking Group Provides Multiple Ways For Women To Collaborate

Tennessee Women Connect is a network of regional groups of business-minded, professional women, in small and large companies, who seek to share business tips and lessons learned from various industries. However, Lucy Miller, founder of the group, says many more of life's essential elements and insights also are shared among participants.

"We certainly enjoy doing business together, and also discussing other important developments in our lives. It's about encouraging each other and growing our mindsets, too," says Lucy.

She says, unlike some groups, there is no cap on which women can join or what industries are represented.

Born and raised in Franklin, Lucy, a Realtor, recalls looking for a networking group to fit her needs. Not finding exactly what she wanted and noticing a need for a professional women’s networking opportunity in Williamson County, she started hosting networking events in January of 2020. "What I found was that women wanted to make real connections, in person, and were excited to collaborate with others," she recalls.

LOCAL LIMELIGHT | LOCAL SERVICES
Lucy Miller, founder, Tennessee Women Connect
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As the group gained members throughout pockets of Nashville during 2021, Ashley Fitz and Jenna Griffith joined the team as division managers to continue expanding the reach even farther. Now active in 12 cities, they, themselves, indicate they're continually inspired by the lives of all the business women they work with through the group's events that are intentionally designed for connection and collaboration.

"We've just launched chapters in Chattanooga and Germantown, and have big-deal news in that we're starting Alabama Women Connect," announces Lucy, who admits being beyond happy about the group's strategic growth.

"In Alabama, women indicated there was a huge need for them to be authentically themselves in business and to find ways to succeed, so they asked us to assist," she adds.

Lucy says the organization hosts 20 events on average each month, with each chapter typically having two based within their geographic area. "Even if aligning with a particular chapter, each woman can attend any or all of the TN Women Connect events, if they desire."

One of the group's shining, recent achievements was being part of and sponsoring an inaugural Women In Business night with The Nashville Predators on April 6.

Women don't have to be Connect members to attend the group's events, however, three levels of membership offer various perks.

Examples of those membership benefits include registration to all TN Women Connect events, a listing in the membership directory, access to members-only social media page, special pricing as vendors, opportunity to host a Zoombased lunch-and-learn once a year, ability to sponsor a happy hour, exclusive learning events four to six times a year, the opportunity to sponsor one event, a chance to add individual updates on the group's website, two social media stories per year, one free featured social media story annually and one extra featured social media post/story at preferred pricing.

Lucy says among the events springing from members are entrepreneurial conferences, retreats and summits.

"Many of our events include speaker panels, keynote speakers, workshops and networking breaks," she adds. "We have fun while getting to know other like-minded professionals."

Connection events are held in a dozen communities around the Greater Nashville area: Brentwood, Clarksville, Franklin, Mount Juliet, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Nolensville, Spring Hill, Bellevue, Hendersonville, Chattanooga and Germantown. Events typically are listed on the group's website during the third week of each month.

Questions:

contact@tnwomenconnect.com

TNWomenConnect.com

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Lucy Miller, Tennessee Women Connect founder, invites women to save Sept. 28 for the group's 3rd annual 2023 LIVE event at Loveless Cafe Barn.

Overcoming Adversity

How Nikki Burdine Found Her Way Into Television

As soon as Nikki Burdine enters a room, people take notice. To Nashville residents, Nikki is known as the charismatic anchor for "Good Morning Nashville." Still, her personal and professional journey exceeds what meets the eye. A native of Kingsport, Tennessee, with roots in Nashville by way of her mom, Nikki considers herself part Nashvillian. Upon graduating from the University of Tennessee in 2005, she says she planned to move to Los Angeles to become an entertainment correspondent. However, her father, a USMC colonel, served in Iraq then, and her mom couldn't bear the thought of her moving so far away from home. So she switched gears and landed in Washington, D.C., with no plan other than to network her way into a career she loved.

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Photos taken at: Too he Paper House in East Nashville (@paperhousetn)

While working with the now-Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins), Nikki met CBS legend Bob Schieffer, who became a fast friend and respected mentor. She says she sought his advice for breaking into the business. Thanks to his guidance and encouragement, she landed her first on-air job as a reporter in Hagerstown, Maryland. "I wouldn't be in this career had it not been for Bob," she adds.

Hagerstown was anything but a glamorous stepping stone for her. Still, she credits this time with forming her into the journalist she is today.

Nikki says she could barely make ends meet; she worked holidays, weekends and overnights, holding every role at the television station as a 'one-man band.' Her job included shooting videos, writing, editing and anchoring. From Hagerstown, she moved to Lexington, Kentucky, to work for the local NBC affiliate to anchor weekends. She left her

now-husband in the Washington, DC, area while she chased her dream, adamant to one day return to work in the nation's capital. After three years in Lexington, she accomplished that goal. Then, she moved to Washington to work as a reporter and anchor for the CBS affiliate. "But I always knew I would end up back home in Tennessee," she says.

So when a job opened in Nashville, she and her husband knew Nashville would be the perfect place to grow their family.The long road to her dream job in Nashville was anything but smooth, and overcoming adversity is something with which Nikki is very familiar. At 12, she was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome, a fact few people know about her. Nikki recalls being bullied and excluded, and feelings of anxiety and depression, and often experiencing debilitating and embarrassing tics. Through family support, therapy and medication, she says she's now comfortable in her skin and able to manage her tics.

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Nikki can hold a job many doctors said would never be possible for someone with Tourette's. Although not specific to TV news, she remembers doctors telling her parents she would probably have difficulty holding a 'regular job' into adulthood.

She still does 'tic' on television, but most people don't spot them. Speaking publicly about her tics has sometimes been challenging for her. So it wasn't until her time in Washington, DC, as a reporter that she was assigned a story about Tourette's syndrome. With the encouragement of colleagues, she shared her story. The report sparked the interest of a mother whose son had Tourette's.

"I had one viewer reach out to me personally and tell me that my story gave her hope for her son, who was also living with Tourette's," she says.

Nikki has overcome barrier after barrier, with a significant hurdle being the birth of her daughter, Andi. Andi was born

at just 28 weeks and weighed only 1.4 pounds, which gives her the unique distinction of being a 'micro-preemie.' She spent nearly three months in the NICU. Finally, after beating a blood infection and putting on some serious pounds, she was ready to go home with her family. She's tiny but mighty. When Nikki is asked to describe Andi, she will smile graciously and state her daughter is feisty and fearless. Never wanting her daughter to feel too small in the room that she steps in, Nikki encourages her daughter's fire, calling little Andi a true inspiration.

Today, Nikki is grateful for her supportive team members and loving husband, Justin, who understand her tics, allowing her to have moments of release without judgment and overcoming hardships, creating a life worth noting, and displaying grace and self-compassion along the way. Nikki's story challenges everyone that hears it to look beneath the surface when meeting someone new, because one never truly knows what they may have overcome.

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"It's something that I am a huge advocate for now. I want people living with Tourette's to see me and know that a normal, healthy and fulfilled life is possible," shares Nikki Burdine, anchor for Good Morning Nashville.

DISCOVER FIFTH + BROADWAY

The perfect girls’ night does exist with tapas from Boqueria, custom lipstick creation at Lip Lab, and drinks on the Rooftop of The Twelve Thirty Club.

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