Tressa Bush is an award-winning journalist, writer, and editor from Chestnut Mound, Tennessee. She is also the founder of the Smith County Historical Tourism Society. Born and raised in Smith County—just 45 minutes east of Nashville—she takes pride in her community, which has produced two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Cordell Hull and Al Gore Jr. We asked Tressa to share insights from her career. Here’s what she had to say.
How do you define success, and how long did it take you to find it?
Success means different things to different people. For me speaking in terms of career, it started with finding my passion. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. I’ve always been drawn to communication. As a child, I participated in 4-H Demonstration and Speech contests. Speaking in front of an audience felt natural to me. That’s when I knew I wanted a career in media.
My first time on television was exhilarating. I started at WBBJ-TV 7, the ABC affiliate in Jackson, TN. I was hired as the morning anchor for news cut-ins and a general assignment reporter. A few months later, I moved up to dayside reporter. Eventually, I became the co-anchor of the 6 o’clock news and the solo anchor of the 10 o’clock news. Over time, my definition of success changed. Early in my career, it was about reaching new milestones. Today, success is about creating experiences that bring people together. When I host an event and see families enjoying themselves, I feel successful.
What are the qualities of a good entrepreneur?
Communication and leadership are my favorite qualities. The best leaders know how to share their passion and inspire others. They create excitement and bring people together around a common goal.
I also believe in taking smart risks. Every opportunity comes with uncertainty, but if you never take a chance, you’ll never know what’s possible. For me, pageants and modeling started as a hobby and a way to earn money for college. I participated in local, regional and state beauty pageants and was honored to be crowned Miss Nashville America in 1982. The Miss Nashville pageant was a preliminary to the Miss Tennessee America Scholarship Pageant. I placed in the Top 10, made lots of friends and the week-long event helped hone my communication and interviewing skills.
While in college, I made extra money modeling for Nashville several department stores: Cain Sloan, Coco, Washington DeeCee, Castner Knott and McClure’s. What started as something fun turned into a real opportunity. That’s the key. Find something you love, and don’t be afraid to turn it into something bigger.
What Challenges Did You Have to Overcome at the Beginning of Your Journey?
Earning respect in the television industry wasn’t easy. It’s a competitive field, and you have to stand out. I knew that connecting with my audience was key. So, I focused on finding meaningful stories and delivering them with passion.
After working at WBBJ-TV 7 in Jackson, TN I went south to be the weekend anchor at WCBI-TV 4, the CBS affiliate, in Columbus, Mississippi. I was there for less than a year before moving back home to Tennessee. I became a fill-in anchor and reporter at WATE-TV 6, the ABC affiliate, in Knoxville.
Next, I joined WCYB-TV 5, the CBS affiliate, in Bristol, Virginia, as a reporter and main fill-in anchor. My dream was always to come home to Middle Tennessee, be on the news, and eventually retire.
I got to do some of that. I freelanced for WTVF-TV 5, WSMV-TV 4, and Fox 17 in Nashville. Each step taught me something new, and I’m grateful for the journey.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I love the shift to digital media. YouTube is a game-changer. It gives creators a platform to share their work with a global audience. What excites me most is the ability to leave a lasting legacy through video.
Take the television show Tennessee Crossroads, for example. They have a YouTube channel and a website where their stories live on. I produced 50-60 stories for them, and as of this writing five of mine are in their Top 30 Most Viewed on YouTube. That’s incredible! Knowing my work continues to reach and inspire people is so rewarding.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself to keep being fearless. Growing up in the country, I was what some folks might say a “tom-boy”. I’d be playing with Barbies one minute and running through the dirt the next.
When I became the first girl in Smith County to play Little League Baseball with the boys, I had no idea it would inspire others. That year, so many girls signed up that parents started a softball league. I stuck with baseball because I wanted to play with my brother and our father was one of our coaches. Because I was taller than most of the boys, I played first base.
I will never forget the first pitch in my first game – I ducked, but still, the ball hit me right in the head! My mom nearly jumped out of the stands. But I shook it off and kept playing. I learned early that setbacks happen, but you push through.
I was heckled and harassed each time I batted, even by adults. But it only made me tougher and made me realize that others need not dictate my life. So, to my younger self: Keep going. Keep breaking barriers. And never let anyone tell you what you can’t do.
I always found it a bit funny that on the same field where I played Little League — I won my first beauty pageant during the county fair!
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I’ve learned to delegate. If someone else can do a task more efficiently, I let them handle it. This frees up my time for other priorities and reduces stress. It wasn’t easy at first—I used to think I had to do everything myself. But trusting others and focusing on what I do best has made a huge difference.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I spend time with my family. It helps me reset. I’m the middle of three kids — my sister is two years older, and my brother is two years younger. Family has always been my anchor.
I do not have any children, still, I feel my sister’s two daughters are like my own. No matter where my career took me, I always wanted to “come home” and attend their school and recreational events — I just didn’t want to miss their lives!
And now, each of them has three children, five girls and one boy. And once again, they can count on Great Aunt Tressa to attend and record (on video of course) their life events.
I would not change a thing!
They remind me what really matters. And when I need a quiet moment, I go sit on my deck with my cats and watch the sun set! It’s a simple way to slow down and clear my mind.
Conclusion
Tressa Bush shows that success comes from persistence, learning, and trusting yourself. Her insights remind us to stay patient, embrace change, and focus on what truly matters. Whether you’re starting a business or chasing a goal, her advice applies to anyone looking to grow and improve. Keep moving forward, stay curious, and enjoy the process.