A special advertising section championing our local women in business. In partnership with Cox Communications. Photo by Jessica Whitley.

Jon R. Hawk Sr., LLC

Associate Attorney

230 Northside Crossing, Macon, GA 31210 

478-757-6536, ext. 4 

sydney@jrhawklaw.com 

 jonhawklaw.com 

What is the mission of your business?

Our firm is dedicated to helping members of our community who have suffered life-altering injuries due to the actions of others. We guide our clients through the civil justice system and help secure fair compensation for their losses. Our mission is to make Middle Georgia a safer place by sharing the stories of those who have been victims of negligence and holding responsible parties and their insurance carriers accountable.  

Your advice for women wanting to start their own business in Macon?

Surround yourself with mentors who are willing to share their insight and experiences. There is nothing more valuable than taking the time to learn from others who have faced similar obstacles and opportunities as the ones you will inevitably encounter. Also, don’t be afraid to adapt; growth requires change. To survive in any market, you must be willing see what is not working in your business and respond accordingly. Growth cannot happen unless you are willing to adjust your approach according to the lessons you learn along the way. 

How do you define success?

Winston Churchill said, “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” I define success as a combination of experience, persistence and humility. It’s a cycle that requires an objective account of where you have been, a willingness to learn from past mistakes, the drive to improve your present approach, and the stamina to start the process over again.  

What are you most excited about right now in our community?

The revitalization and restoration of downtown Macon! This community has such a rich history, and it is encouraging to see the efforts underway to preserve Macon’s historic properties for future generations. There is no doubt that preservation leads to progress, and our community leaders and volunteers involved in these revitalization projects have taken great strides to ensure we continue on the right path. I look forward to the opportunities these efforts will bring.  

You might be surprised that:

Given that we are in “Bear Country,” most people might not know that Jon and I both graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law. Go, Dawgs! I am a Double Dawg and received an A.B.J. in Public Relations from UGA in 2016, before graduating from UGA Law with my J.D. in 2019. I met my husband, Macon native Zachary Floyd, during my freshman year at UGA.  

What is the most gratifying part of your job?

The most gratifying part of my job is having the power to help people who are suffering by providing a voice for their pain. I take pride in knowing our clients have felt seen, heard and cared for during a difficult time in their lives – regardless of the result. It is incredibly rewarding to be in a position where I can help level the playing field between everyday individuals and giant insurance corporations, which are entrusted to protect our interests over their profit motives.  

What has been the most challenging part of being a woman in business?

As a young female lawyer, I sometimes struggle with feeling content with where I am in the beginning stage of my career. I set very high expectations and often have to remind myself I cannot learn everything at once. Lately, I have been trying to be present in the moment and focus on the task at hand, rather than constantly comparing my current self to the vision I have set for my future.   

I admire women who:

Are authentically themselves and genuinely comfortable in their skin – whatever that may look like. The beauty of human nature is the variety it supplies. I respect any woman who can cherish what makes her unique and use her differences to define her own path to success.  

What was the best business advice you ever received?

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.  

I hope more women will:

Start to speak more openly about the power and perspective motherhood has given them and how it has positively contributed to their careers. I am not a mother yet, myself, but I am encouraged by women who embrace motherhood as a strength, as opposed to an opportunity cost in their careers.  

How could women better support each other?

Women can better support each other by being more intentional and taking the time to express what they admire or respect about each other – both to that individual and others in their circle. “A rising tide lifts all ships.” When one woman lifts another up, we all stand to gain.  

I wish I had known:

Wisdom and experience are what you get when you don’t get the results you originally wanted.