Jason Padgitt shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jason, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
After two decades of working for privately-held corporations into a leadership role at a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts advocacy organization, I am amazed at how many people underestimate the complexity of nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits demand as much energy and focus as corporations or small businesses in order to be successful. Because nonprofits don’t operate in all the same ways as other businesses, building sustainable long-term funding can often be even more challenging. While I’ve found my corporate experience to be extremely valuable, there was defiantly a learning-curve to adapt to the world of nonprofit arts organizations, but I’ve loved the challenge and now have a whole new level of respect for all other nonprofit leaders. Also, because we are most known for our annual film festival, most people don’t fully understand all of the great work we do year-round in the areas of community development, film education for students and more, so I always encourage people to stay connected with us for more than just the week of the festival and to contribute to the important work we are doing every day of the year.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an accomplished entertainment executive and marketing strategist with more than 20 years of experience building successful partnerships across film, music, and live events. Throughout my career, I have specialized in connecting creative vision with business strategy, developing collaborations that expand audience reach, strengthen brand visibility, and creating long-term impact for arts and entertainment organizations.
As Executive Director of the Nashville Film Festival, I focus on elevating the organization and the annual event’s profile and building a high-impact platform for film and music industry professionals. I’ve overseen the festival’s growth in sponsorship, strategic partnerships and global programming, ensuring its continued recognition as one of the nation’s most respected festivals. Under my leadership, the festival has cultivated meaningful collaborations with major studios, celebrities, leading businesses, record labels, media outlets and cultural institutions, reinforcing Nashville’s unique role as a creative crossroads where film and music intersect.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My former CEO (now retired) Larry Thomas at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation was the person who taught me the most about work and how it best connects with us as individuals. He was incredibly driven and demanding of everyone around him, but he led with a passion for his people, the brand value and the products. He was the first leader I had know who was totally immersed in his drive for success with a commitment to sharing that success with anyone and everyone who was willing to help the company get there. He would constantly challenge everyone to get the best our of them and always had the best stories to help illustrate his points in the most direct and impactful way possible. He acted in the role of CEO in a way that reminded me of an NFL, NBA or NHL coach, which amplified the point that any successful business requires building a successful team. He also always made sure to enjoy what he was doing and by having fun while working hard, he taught us all that you can do both as long as you do the hard parts really well.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self and any young person today not to listen to anyone who says, “You can be whatever you want to be” when you grow up, because it takes more than wanting something to make it a reality. You need to work really hard to be good at anything, and even harder to be great. I was certainly challenged by my parents, siblings, teachers, and life events as a kid, but if I could go back and emphasize the urgency of one thing, it would be, “Don’t wait for things to happen to you, go out and make things happen now. Figure it all out as fast as you can and always strive for greatness!”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
In life and in business, I believe the best outcomes always come by surrounding yourself with high-quality people who operate with integrity and respect for others. The model of the self-serving individual or organization does not appeal to me, even when it can result in financial gains that others may admire. I am always looking for the aspects of the person first when it comes to building business relationships or partnership. While you don’t always get it exactly right every time, I’ve always felt it matters most in the long-term.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
I don’t really regret anything other than the fact that we only get one swing through this linear path of life. From my childhood through college and beyond, I’ve always had so many areas of interest that I would also have loved to pursue more deeply, but you need to make choices with how you spend your time and what you chose to do with it. You can’t live multiple lives, so I try to enjoy the one I have the best I can every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nashfilm.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashfilmfest?igsh=MTZ6aWJ1N2htcWpuNQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpadgitt
Image Credits
Courtesy NashFilm
