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| MAY 2020 | 20 UNDER 40
DECATUR HERALD & REVIEW
NIKKI L. GARRY Age: 39
SARAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY
Diskey From 3
helps keep life positive! The worst advice, “Fake it until you make it.” I have heard this from peers to managers, and it stings more each time I hear it. If you have to fake it, why are you doing it? If faking it is the answer, what is the definition of making it? Life is short- find what’s real to you, embrace it and enjoy it! What are your three favorite movies? 1. My stand out favorite movie is “Rocky 4.” As a fan of the entire franchise, “Rocky 4” fol-
their attention, such as our highly anticipated Splash Cover Water Park.
Occupation: Financial coach and educator, founder and owner of Your Money Matters, What is the best and worst piece of advice LLC. you have ever received? Some of the most impactful life-changing advice I have reFamily: Parents, Willie A. Garry and Verna ceived came from a career coach that I hired out of Louisiana. She helped me to realize L. LaGarde that my passion, alone, for Your Money Career highlights and/or accomplishments: Matters was enough. It may seem simplisA few of my notable academic accomplish- tic but she challenged me to not wait for ments have been being a first generation the validation of someone else to pursue college graduate, obtaining both my bache- my passion and my dreams. Within three lor and master degrees in accounting. months of working with her I submitted my Professionally, after working in Corpo- corporate resignation and haven’t looked rate America for approximately 15 years I back since! took a leap of faith into full-time entrepreneurship as of 1/11/2019. This is by far If you were a fictional character, who my greatest professional accomplishment would you be and why? I’m truly a child at to date! heart and Scooby Doo, hands down, is my favorite cartoon! Of the main characters Community involvement: I am an advo- I would be “Daphne Blake.” She is funny, cate of giving back to the community and fashion forward, inquisitive, and enjoys find great fulfillment in serving others. shopping! Throughout the community I serve as vice-chairman of the city of Decatur’s What are your three favorite movies? I Human Relations Commission and trustee love action and comedy movies; however, for the Decatur Public Schools Foundation. I don’t have a specific favorite. Though I’m Additionally, I am an active volunteer at very active throughout the community, I local non-profit organizations, such as am a homebody at heart and love watching Reasonable Service, Kingdom Come Min- television. Right now my new favorite show istries, and my alma mater, Millikin Uni- is “Chrisley Knows Best.” Their family is versity. hilarious!
lows the continuation of the great underdog story through many of life’s changes. With one of the best 80’s rock, motivational, and emotional soundtracks in the background, Rocky is back to self-reflection in advance of the fight of his life. Now challenged with themes of age, family, death, and a volatile political climate, he is pushing the limits of his mental and physical toughness. In the end, everyone seems to learn a valuable lesson about life. 2. A not so mainstream favorite, “Eddie and the Cruisers.” Another outstanding soundtrack, an intriguing story, and the idea that sometimes all we need is “words and music”.
What should the community do to attract more young people to the area? As with any city, Decatur will only be as great as we, the citizens, make it. Young people are full of life and vibrant so they must have something healthy and constructive to catch
Who inspires you to be better? My primary reason for working as hard as I do is to build a legacy for my unborn children. This is of the upmost importance to me and I consistently endeavor to pave the way for them. It’s truly all about the next generation.
3. For my final favorite I would list these three movies my family loves, and promise that anyone of them will make your day better: “A Goofy Movie,” “Cool Runnings” and Surf’s Up!
today, and inspires me to be a great father. My best friend, Tory Williams, inspires me every day to keep driving goals and to never settle. My sons. For almost a year they have shown me new things every day and given me a renewed sense of purpose. The joy cannot be measured. Most importantly, my inspiration comes from my wife, Danielle. For almost 15 years she has pushed me to be the best me. She has provided unwavering support, been the voice of reason, walked with me down every path, and has become an amazing mother. In the fortunate life I have had, there are too many friends, coaches, mentors to mention them all, but I hope they know.
Who inspires you to become better? I am humbled and grateful for the many people in life that have and continue to inspire me. My parents, who each have given me so much. My mother taught me about compassion, empathy, and leading with your heart, while to this day being the absolute example of mental toughness. My father, who gave me the knowledge and wisdom that is the backbone of the person I am
