Tish Naughton 

Growing up my passions included photography, film making, and making ‘stuff’. I did work experience with the State Theatre in set construction and the South Australian Film Corporation in set design. I loved it and was even offered paid work. The post-school plan was to study film at university; however, after being told ‘there is no money in the arts’ I pursued work instead.

Having always challenged the status quo and wanted to improve systems, I was destined for entrepreneurship and soon left stable employment to become a mortgage broker, later establishing my own business. I developed skills in business operations and wanted to test them out in a different industry. I purchased an established franchise dry cleaning business where I learnt about mergers, acquisitions, systemisation, and HR management, eventually leading to operating multiple businesses.

After a decade, I reached burnout and made the hard decision to sell up. I stopped my world from spinning, and it was the best thing I have ever done. Sometimes you need to create the space for clarity and for what comes next.

The opportunity to assist Feast Festival as Operations Manager during a challenging transition period for the organisation offered me the ability to use my skills that I had honed over 17 years. Now, as CEO of Adelaide’s only LGBTQIA+ Arts & Cultural Festival, I feel like my journey has come full circle and I am proud to represent my community and help create a legacy to ensure the sustainability of this important festival.

Often you do not know where you will end up or what you want to be or do, so just keep trying stuff until you find what lights your fire; you will know it when you find it. Do not be afraid to change. Life is too short to worry about what other people think.

Pronouns: She/Her

Content supplied by: Tish Naughton 

Edited for clarity by: Dahlia Opala

Photography by: Thomas McCammon

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