Conversations with Katherine Nichols

Hi Katherine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hi there! I am originally from a suburb of Birmingham, AL. I moved to Nashville in 2006 after completing college at Auburn University in Fashion Merchandising & Design. 

My husband (whom I met while attending Auburn) was a Brentwood, TN native and I knew I wanted to join him here when I finished school. We live in Franklin, TN with our 2 daughters (Olivia & Charlotte) & our Goldendoodle (Maggie). My husband & I have been married for coming up on 16 years & have been together for 22 years! I can’t imagine life without them. They truly make every day the best day! 

I originally started my career in Nashville with Target as a store manager. After working hard in that for four years, I then transitioned into Retail banking with SunTrust Bank as a branch manager. Due to life events and through networking opportunities, I was led away from retail banking into recruiting starting as an IT recruiter at a small, start-up search firm. I instantly loved recruiting and getting to help people and organizations with their goals…. almost like solving a big puzzle! 

I have been in recruiting now for the past 12 years! Most of my recruiting experience has been specialized in healthcare recruiting in physician or nurse leadership. I currently work with HCA Healthcare, one of the Country’s largest hospital/health systems as an Executive Recruiter. I have the honor of serving our communities by recruiting our Operating Room leaders for all of our 182 hospitals. It truly is an honor getting to see the difference I can help make by ensuring we get the right leaders at the right place to help take care of our patients. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been ups and downs, but I have learned so much over the years. One of my challenges was that I picked a major in college that is very specific to fashion merchandising. This was a great plan when I thought I was going to move to a big fashion city like New York, etc. 

However, life happened & took me on a different path to Nashville that didn’t have quite as much opportunity (at the time) for someone coming out of school in that field. The biggest thing I have learned is that although you might have a plan, your plan might end up way different than you had thought. The sideroads you get taken on often are the best roads to go down! I never would have imagined I would have ended up as a recruiter & getting to experience some of the things I have, but it has been the best experience. You always have to keep an open mind to new or surprising paths. 

Being a mom to my two daughters is the most important & enjoyable role. It is funny because growing up, I was never one of those girls who thought a lot about having kids. I always knew I wanted to be a mom but didn’t give it a lot of thought beyond that. Those girls have changed my life for the better. I would not be the person I am today without them or my husband. It has been a challenge at times being a working mom, especially during the pandemic. However, I am very lucky that I have a supportive husband, flexible children, & a tribe of friends/family who are always there for me. I think one thing to remember when balancing it all is that every day is a new day with a fresh start & that is a beautiful thing. 

There have been times when I have been stressed & lost my patience with my children/spouse due to work or life, but they ground me back. My advice is to have a support team behind you in your life that makes you laugh (A LOT!). Life can be hard. Having that friend or family member you can call to vent to or a friend that would help pick up your kids when you have a work event makes all the difference. Success is not possible without relying on your resources! And laughter is truly the best medicine for anything in my opinion. Sometimes it is good to not take things too seriously & to be able to laugh things off!! 

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I shared earlier some about what I do for my career. However, I also enjoy creative hobbies. I am naturally a very creative person, probably why I chose fashion as a major in college. I get to be creative in some ways at work, but I love creating art as well. In my spare time, I do custom cookie orders for a side calling I started called K’s Cookie Co. One of the neatest things I got to do was to work with Ascend to make cookies for Jon Pardi’s stage room when he was here for a concert. Truly a unique Nashville experience! It is so fun to see my cookie designs come to life for other’s celebrations, wedding showers, birthdays, events, etc. & so neat to see others like my designs. 

My husband, Rob Nichols, has been a local Realtor for 20+ years. Real Estate has also become a passion of mine through the years with following alongside him. I love everything about houses, interior design, home projects, and decorating! It is another way that I think you can be creative. I probably should have considered interior design vs. fashion because I just love how you can completely change the feel of a space, love designing new areas, & love looking at houses! I think my husband has a love/not love feeling sometimes on my need to always have another project to take on. 

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important thing I have learned on my journey is that working hard & never giving up is key to everything. It doesn’t matter what you do in life, you have to put in the effort. 

There were a lot of things thrown at me & my brother during high school/college that it would have been easy to have thrown the towel in on, simply given up, or taken the easier road. However, we knew we wanted more and a better life for ourselves. Our parents struggled to make ends meet growing up, but both were hard workers in their own right. 

I will never forget our air conditioning broke when I was in high school and so we just didn’t have air because we couldn’t afford it. Picture it…. hot, Alabama heat. It was beyond hot! Let me tell you, experiencing things like that puts a drive in you to be successful & find a way no matter what. I am so grateful for those experiences. I’m grateful for my parents. And beyond grateful for my brother who has always been my best friend, my in-laws, who have shown up for me since I was 18, & my close family like my aunt whom I know is always a call away. I would not be who I am today without them. 

Sadly, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer when I was 18 & passed away when I was 19. That taught me more lessons than you can imagine. She was my absolute best friend & rock. We talked multiple times a day & then all of a sudden, she was gone. I wish she could have seen the life that I created & met her grandkids. However, I know now this was the way it was supposed to be. I think me & my brother and being on our own at such an early age taught us that work ethic & how to get after it. I also think that the biggest lesson I have learned is that you get one shot at life. Live it to the fullest. In work, in your relationships, in your experiences. Spend time with those you love, go on the trip, buy shoes, & go after what you want. 

If you want a job, career, or certain type of life, don’t let anything stop you! It is critical to build relationships though. One important thing I have learned as a recruiter & in getting where I am today is that hard work is key. However, building & maintaining good relationships with everyone you meet is critical. You never know what cards you will be thrown & who might be able or willing to help you out because you presented well to them or showed kindness along the way. 

To me, being successful isn’t just what you do for work. It is your daily happiness. In my opinion, work is only one facet of our lives & shouldn’t define us completely, but instead add to the whole picture of our life.