Sponsored by 40 Under Forty Owner, The Pour Room - Scent Bar Judge/Executive of Livingston County Store & Admin Manager/Sales Representa- tive, Arrowhead Camper Sales, Inc. Teris Swanson Organizations: McCracken County Bar Association Treasurer, Kentucky Justice Association Board Member, Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Member, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Member, American Association for Justice Member, Kentucky Bar Association Member, The Brook Volunteer What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? People who did not know me before the last five to six years would probably not believe the social anxiety that I used to experience. When I decided to go to law school, I knew that it was something I was going to have to work hard to overcome in order to be successful. I specifically started putting myself in uncomfortable positions where I was forced to be social and speak in front of others. When I felt myself not wanting to do something, I would be intentional with analyzing why and then would make myself do it. It was hard and it was taxing for a very long time. But with time, experience, and a lot of prayer, I have gotten to a place where most people who know me now, would never believe that I am truly an introvert. Not only did forcing myself to work through this help me with social anxiety itself, but it also has taught me a valuable lesson in hard work and determination. YOU can do hard things, too! What career achievement makes you most proud? The many people I have been able to assist when they were at their worst - I’m proud of that. I’m also proud that I get the opportunity to defend the Constitution in a way that many do not. I still can’t believe that I get to do what I do. I’m honored to serve the citizens of Livingston County now in a different but equally important capacity. Terra Bass What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? Finding balance. I had to start alone and learn everything by trial and error. Through the years I have changed, grown, evolved, and learned so much about myself and business ownership (which I still learn every day). I learned my potential is limitless and when I had no choice than to show up every day, I learned resilience. I had to do it broke, I had to do it scared, I had to do it tired, I had to do it sick. When your heart is in it and your passion runs deep, you’ll always find a way and time for the things you love most, personally and professionally. What career achievement makes you most proud? Building a community and creating a safe space for everyone. Building an incredible team that I can offer a worklife that is different from most. My goal was to have a place where everyone felt welcomed, appreciated, acknowledged, inspired, creative, and loved. All I ever want to do in life is to make others feel like they matter and that they belong. Moments and memories shape and mold us and if I’m involved in them, I want them to be meaningful and real. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? I can’t pick just one, but the ones that I go to daily are: “You must be willing to sacrifice who you are today, for who you want to become tomorrow.” “Always stay teachable.” “Your daughter is watching.” Having a clear vision of who you want to be for yourself and others, and being consistent with your habits, creates the life you want. Growth and change is hard and there have been many versions of myself. Just when you feel like you’re breaking, you’ve leveled up. Keep going because you deserve the outcome. If someone tells you that you can’t, you’re listening to the wrong people. Torie Fitzgerald Kemp Organizations: RV Women’s Alliance Member, Northside Church of Christ Member & Teacher, West Kentucky Youth Camp Volunteer, Rockwood/Flagstaff Initiative Group Founding Member/Dealer Representative What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? The biggest challenge I’ve faced was when my family’s business was hit by the tornado on December 10th, 2021. I took on the responsibility of being the liaison with our insurance company and those businesses coming in for immediate help. I had never filed an insurance claim before and this claim dealt with multiple aspects of the business, determining what RVs were total losses, and what needed to be done to our facilities. Luckily, I was able to overcome this challenge due to my family’s business allowing me to have my hand in all aspects of our daily operations. I did make mistakes, but I was able to correct them and learn from them! What career achievement makes you most proud? While this may seem insignificant to some, I am most proud of my first trailer sale I ever made. It was an older, used Pioneer travel trailer selling for well under the $10k mark. Arrowhead was so busy that I was the only one who wasn’t already with a customer. I was in high school and didn’t even know how to write up a bill of sale! But the moment the customers looked at me and said they would take it, I was so proud of (and impressed with) myself. It was a pivotal moment for me - I was officially part of the third generation of my family’s business. I knew I could take that one moment and make a career of what I have grown up loving! 24 SEPTEMBER 2024 | INTHEVUE.COM
