We are excited to introduce a new feature in our weekly Monday Morning Report newsletter to showcase our highest-level members. Leaders You Should Know highlights community leaders who are making a notable impact in the Nashville region.
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Tell us about yourself?
Hello! I’m Shane Shown. My story started in Lewiston, ID where I was raised before making my way to the Greater Seattle Area. I grew up in a family with 5 brothers and 3 sisters. In addition, I went to 17 schools growing up. I was forced to adapt and thrive in changing environments. It’s no surprise that I’ve been able to build a career in recruiting where my life is meeting new people every single day.
I’ve had the entrepreneurial itch since I was in the first grade. Picture this: a little me drawing Pokémon bookmark cards and selling them to my classmates for 25 cents a pop. It was clear even then that I had a knack for this business thing. Fast forward to now, and I’ve started five businesses since I turned 18. My latest venture is called Nxt Level, and it’s been an exciting ride so far.
When I’m not knee-deep in business stuff, I’m placing bets with friends at a writer’s round in Nashville, stuffing my face full of food at new restaurants, or getting my hands on some cool new AI tool. Music’s a big deal for me too, with Jacob Banks currently topping my playlist. And when it comes to sports, I’m all about soccer (NSC!!!), basketball, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (no gi). Each of these sports teaches me something different, whether it’s teamwork, strategy, or just pushing my limits.
My life’s a mix of entrepreneurship, passion for the arts and tech, and a love for getting physical with sports. From selling handmade bookmarks to launching businesses and diving into my hobbies, it’s all about chasing what I love and living life to the fullest.
Tell us about your business/industry?
As a headhunter at Nxt Level, my job is like being a matchmaker for growth-stage companies and top-tier talent. These companies need more than just skilled employees; they’re looking for people who mesh with their culture and drive their growth. My role is all about saving time for everyone by finding the perfect fit.
I scour the internet, leveraging tools and networks to source, attract, recruit, and close the right candidates for positions ranging from technology and video game studios to accounting, legal, civil engineering firms, and product management teams. Each industry has its unique demands, making my work a dynamic puzzle of matching technical skills and cultural fit.
What excites me is the challenge and art of understanding what both the company and the candidate seek, and then making that ideal connection. At Nxt Level, we’re not just filling jobs; we’re facilitating career-defining moves and helping companies leap forward in their growth journey.
Being a headhunter here means being part strategist, part detective, and part people-person. It’s about creating impactful connections in fast-evolving industries, one perfect match at a time.
What should we know about you?
I thrive on victory and the rush of adrenaline, whether it’s skydiving, white water rafting, snowboarding, or Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I have a deep passion for networking and diving into new fields; I always begin at the bottom, but with determination, I master them. Despite dropping out of college, my self-taught journey and insatiable curiosity have paved my path to success.
How did you get to your current position?
I’m constantly failing forward. What does that mean? It means that I’m constantly taking risks, making commitments towards action, and learning from my mistakes. I make a lot of them, but I rarely repeat them. I have a positive growth mindset.
What value do you see in Chamber involvement?
The Chamber has been fantastic to meet local businesses within the Greater Nashville Area. We are able to have a voice at local gatherings. We are looking to contribute more and have an opportunity to create an impact in the community.
What do you enjoy most about being a leader?
What I enjoy most about being a leader is the thrill of identifying talent with growth potential and crafting a team that truly inspires. There’s something deeply rewarding about recognizing hidden gems, nurturing their skills, and watching them shine. I believe a leader’s strength lies in the collective power of the team they assemble. It’s exhilarating to transform a vision into reality, to turn nothing into something truly special.
The dynamic nature of leading a team, with its constant evolution, reminds me of the adrenaline rush of skydiving. Just as every skydive is a leap into the unknown, guiding a team through growth and change requires a similar leap of faith and adaptability. Each success and challenge with the team feels like navigating through the skies, where every decision and maneuver counts.
Ultimately, the process of building and evolving with my team is what excites me the most about leadership. It’s about creating a culture of growth, innovation, and resilience—where every member feels valued, empowered, and part of something bigger than themselves.
How do you stay engaged in the community?
How do I stay engaged in the community? First of all, I’m a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) for the Nashville Chapter. This is a non-profit to connect over 300+ local entrepreneurs in Tennessee. There are also opportunities to connect globally. I’ve been able to connect with wonderful and kind-hearted executives where we have been able to share ideas, collaborate and support each other, and understand market conditions.
My commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and business acumen extends to supporting the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EIC) in Williamson County through Nxt Level. This high school vocational program is close to my heart, as it empowers students with the knowledge and skills to build businesses and succeed in life beyond academia. Witnessing the transformation and growth of these young minds is incredibly rewarding, reinforcing my belief in the program’s value. Recently, I joined Zeal in West Nashville where I plan to get more connected and more involved over the next few years.
As I look to the future, my goal is to find additional avenues to engage with and inspire the youth. I believe that by sharing our experiences, challenges, and successes, we can inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams with determination and resilience. My involvement with EO, the EIC through Nxt Level, and Zeal is just the beginning. I am actively seeking new opportunities to make a meaningful impact, particularly in areas that support youth entrepreneurship and education.
The journey of engaging with my community has taught me the importance of being a part of something larger than myself. It’s about building connections, sharing knowledge, and working together towards a common goal of creating a vibrant, entrepreneurial community. My experiences have shown me that the most fulfilling achievements come from helping others succeed. Whether it’s through mentoring young entrepreneurs, supporting educational programs, or contributing to the growth of local businesses, each interaction adds a valuable layer to my personal and professional growth.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? What is the best part of working in your field?
Being a headhunter is awesome. I get the rare opportunity to support world-class companies, unknown start-ups, and rising stars get their career to the next level.
Every day I get to wake up with the opportunity to connect with people who change the world every day. I’ve had the opportunity to work with the first person in the world to create an NFT. That particular person has strong opinions on the purpose of the NFT and how it’s been manipulated over the years. I’ve been able to speak with multiple people who helped YouTube successfully be acquired by Google. Every day I get to meet people I respect and admire as a part of my core function as a recruiter. This aspect of my work is not just a job; it’s an adventure in continuous learning and discovery, one that keeps me enthusiastic.
Beyond speaking and networking with incredible people on a daily basis, my role requires me to be a subject matter expert in headhunting across a wide range of domains and industries. Each day I am challenged. It’s a position that places me at the intersection of serving both our clients and the talented candidates we seek to place. This dual responsibility not only enhances my expertise but also enriches my understanding of the marketplace and the intricacies of talent acquisition.
Building companies from the ground up and serving as an external counsel for talent acquisition has allowed me to witness the transformative power of strategic hiring. Our clients, who view us as partners rather than mere providers of resumes, often experience exponential growth and success. This collaborative approach has been a cornerstone of our success, fostering long-term relationships built on trust and mutual respect.
Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of my work is helping individuals elevate their careers to new heights. Our meticulous approach to headhunting ensures that we add value to both candidates and clients, not just in the short term but also in the long run. Witnessing our candidates secure significant promotions and contribute to their companies’ growth from startups to publicly traded entities is profoundly rewarding. A memorable highlight was seeing Deliverr, one of the companies we’ve supported, on the brink of going public, only to be acquired by Shopify in a groundbreaking deal. These milestones not only signify the candidates’ achievements but also underscore the impact of our work on the broader industry landscape.
The best part of working in my field is the unique blend of continuous learning, strategic partnership, and the profound impact we have on individuals’ careers and companies’ trajectories. Each success story, each milestone achieved, reiterates the value of what we do, making every challenge worthwhile and every achievement a source of immense satisfaction.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
My goodness, this is a different question to answer. My stomach has an endless appetite for good food and it’s been on a mission to try everything since I moved to Nashville in 2020. If you haven’t had the opportunity to drive down Nolensville Pike you have to change that. There is a wide range of restaurants on that street. I’ve made a habit of driving and randomly pulling over to a hole in the wall or a random taco truck and have never been disappointed. Some of my favorites include; Laura’s Cocina, Degthai, Asia Corner Cafe, Bangcockville, Tacos Y Mariscos El Amigo, Subculture Urban Cuisine And Cafe, Steamboys, Taj Indian, and plenty of others. There are so many unknown small businesses on that street that will rock your taste buds. Take a chance, make it an adventure, and randomly test out a new restaurant on Nolensville Pike.
