WHO IS UNC WATSON?

THE UNC’S BIO

Larry Watson - Ask the Unc Great question!  I’m still trying to figure that one out.  Professionally, I am a practicing attorney with over 30 years of experience in banking, finance and corporate law.  I’ve worked in large international law firms, as well as in the public sector during my practice.  I’ve also had the privilege of starting private companies and serving as the executive director for two different non-profits that provide social services including assistance to people seeking housing, transportation, vocational training, entrepreneurship and other essential skills to live independently in their community.

On a Social level, I am guided by the personal ethic instilled in me by my grandfather to “leave this world a better place because you were in it.”  I am driven by a faith system based on relationships of integrity founded upon mutual respect and unconditional love.  It is amazing the things that people of disparate backgrounds and perspectives can achieve when they spend their time understanding one another instead of judging them.

To this end, I try to live my life in service to my family and community.  I have formed and participated in community advocacy groups, provide free seminars regarding personal financial literacy, and sit on the boards of community-based non-profits.

On a Personal level, I have been together with my beautiful wife for over 35 years.  Together, we traveled though my undergraduate studies at the University of Montana and law school at the UCLA School of Law.  Like the majority of us in our 20s, we struggled through financial hardship as we obtained our education and began to embark on our life’s journey.  In our 35 years of marriage we have navigated careers, battled catastrophic injury, cared for elderly parents, intervened in crisis involving mental illness and abuse, and walked with friends through both business and personal crisis.  Together, we have experienced incredible successes.  We’ve also seen some pretty deep valleys. And been witness to miraculous outcomes.   As the song goes, “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful, But It’s A Beautiful Ride.”

One of my greatest joys in life is the gift of our 8 nieces and nephews. I treasure every moment I have with them and the opportunity to be a small part of their lives. This site is very much inspired by them.

Why I Started Encouragement Well

My life has been greatly impacted by those who have generously shared their life experiences with me.  Other than my Grand Dad, I had a mentor who served as a second father to me with whom I could turn to at any point to seek advice and direction.  There was virtually no major decision in my life that I did not turn to my mentors for consultation.  I have attempted to play this same role with my nieces and nephews.  This site is my way of paying my mentors’ generosity forward to others who do not have that same type of access.

My hope is to build a community that people can turn to for a source of inspiration, belonging, and encouragement regardless of the circumstance they might face in life.  A community free of judgment, with a spirit of unconditional love, and based on common ground without the promotion of an agenda.

Naïve?  Possibly.  But when I dream – I Dream Big.  Without first a vision, nothing can be built.