A NATIVE’S PERSPECTIVE
I love Nashville. As a fifth-generation native, Nashville is the only place I’ve ever called home. And while it’s not the town I grew up in, today’s Nashville has certainly kept me engaged and excited. So I’ve continued to choose Nashville as the place to build my family, my company, and invest in my community. For me, it’s exciting to be in the same town all these years and witness the tremendous amount of change that has taken place. And at the same time, fully appreciate what has always been a part of Nashville’s secret spice.
Ours is a city that understands the value of relationships and connectivity. Perhaps it’s because we’re Music City and creating music is much more fun with others, but we have long understood the power of collaboration and partnership. So when I was presented the opportunity to help start Studio Bank, I knew immediately that a big part of our approach would be harnessing the power of relationships. I knew that a bank could serve as a unique nexus point for bringing together people from all walks of life and different industries. I knew that a bank that reflected the energy of Nashville shouldn’t just be a community bank. It should be a community. Because that would be so Nashville.
An innovative community is only as strong as its willingness to support its members in making meaningful connections and building relationships of value. If Nashville is to sustain its growing reputation as an epicenter for creativity and innovation, we all have to be intentional and generous with our relationships. It’s the currency that enables prosperity sufficient enough for us all to share.
If you’re like me and have been in Nashville a long time, I encourage you to continue to engage in circles that are unfamiliar and get to know new creators, entrepreneurs and neighbors. Offer them the hospitality that has become part of the brand and has long been in the DNA of Nashville. If you’ve recently made the decision to call Nashville home, seize opportunities to contribute and connect. This town offers many ways to do both. And if we all do this in big and small ways, at large-scale conferences and coffee meetings, these intentional and chance encounters are sure to lead to some great ideas and solve significant challenges.
Harry Allen is the Co-Founder and Chief Relationship Officer of Studio Bank. In this role, Mr. Allen serves as the Bank’s lead business development officer, key point of contact for stakeholders and strategic partners, and manages the Bank’s involvement and investment in community efforts. Mr. Allen is active in the Nashville community serving on the board of directors for the Nashville Public Education Foundation, Tennessee Performing Arts Center and is a Trustee and Chair of the Nominating and Evaluation Committee of Belmont University.
