Meet Emma Boyle, student at the University of Tennessee and full-time waitress. She’s traveled to fourteen countries and doesn’t plan to stop there.
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and to do what you want to do with your life!”
What inspired you or lead you to your current career?
For two years I was working on the strip. Then I started working here part-time and eventually went to full-time. I work here full-time and go to school at the same time. I’m a senior at UT.
What is your favorite restaurant in Knoxville, and what do you love there?
I hate this question because I never go out to eat. So, probably my favorite restaurant is Olibea and their Lavender-lemon pancakes.
How long have you lived or worked in Knoxville?
I was born in Knoxville hospital, so my entire life.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
I just got back from two months in Europe. I’ve been to fourteen countries since the beginning of May. But my next trip is either to go to the UK, or to travel from Turkey all of the way down to Egypt.
What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
March of the Penguins was my first one.
What advice would you give a crowd of people?
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and to do what you want to do with your life!”
What is something on your bucket list?
To go to South America.
What is your favorite music/3 bands you would like to see? (alive or dead)
One Direction, Beyonce’, and Dolly Parton.
What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Knoxville?
It’s not in Knoxville, but probably Dollywood.
Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Knoxville would you have lunch?
Michelle Obama or Elizabeth Warren. Because they’re both strong independent women who have used the platforms they’ve been given to fight for people’s rights and to make peoples’ lives better. That’s what they have done, spent most of their lives doing. I would go somewhere really southern, Tupelo Honey.
What is your favorite thing or something unique about Knoxville?
My favorite thing about Knoxville is…going back to my favorite restaurant which would definitely be Cruz smart.
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
I see myself potentially working in foreign service abroad.
What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Trees, I grew up behind the Wasabi Steakhouse out in West Knoxville. It’s two acres of property on a big hill completely surrounded by woods. I’m used to being outside a lot. Family, I have a very large family. I have five siblings. So there’s six children. I’m always surrounded because they’re all younger than me. The youngest is six.
Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of Knoxville?
Probably one of my friends, Paige Shimer. She grew up in Memphis and moved to Knoxville. She was my freshman roommate. Knoxville and UT have been an interesting experience for her. She’s done some really awesome things for this community.
If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
Probably Emma Watson.
If you had a fulltime staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?
Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
In a future life, a nanny, but I don’t have children.
Emma, thank you for taking time to sit down and share your story with The Faces of Knoxville!
Blessings~Bridget
