Today we’d like to introduce you to Clete Donovan
Hi Clete, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey began in November of 2016 when I quit my job. A nearly fatal car accident made me question everything about myself and what I was doing with my life. So, I left my sales role at Dell to pursue filmmaking.
Inspired by nontraditional filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Richard Linklater, while also being attached to my hometown, I stayed in Austin to chase my new dream. I volunteered or worked for every film organization I could get my hands on, including the Austin Film Society, Alamo Drafthouse, Austin School of Film, SXSW, and Austin Film Fest. A couple years and many friendships later, I hosted an event to launch my brand, Think Flamingo.
To much surprise, 300 people came out to support my first short film and friends’ bands. This was my lightbulb moment; rather than spend countless hours writing, shooting and editing a project that may or may not find success, I can cultivate a community and connections that last a lifetime.
It was from that moment on that I’ve been chasing a new high, one that elevates others. Austin has no shortage of passionate creatives and local businesses that deserve our support, but it’s becoming extremely difficult for them to survive in the tech bubble we’ve become. This is where the irony and full circle moment has launched me into my third stage of adulthood; living out my dream while also being in tech sales.
I’ve got an alter ego to my Think Flamingo persona, or maybe it’s the other way around? Either way you flip it, preserving Austin’s culture is at the root of it all. I’m finding ways to support myself and my vision, both financially and logically.
It’s been 8 years since the 24-year-old me was given a second chance. By no means has it been pretty, yet I’m exactly where I need to be. The year 2025 has a lot coming its way and we’re mobbing dep. This will be the year that old Austin and new Austin bridge together. It’s going to be fresh. It’s going to be nostalgic. It’s going to be epic.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has seen many highs and many lows. Only one of my events incurred a loss in revenue but it hit me deep. It was a Saturday night at a popular venue off Red River. We had the entire venue rented out to screen short films from local filmmakers and hired 5 local bands to play on the inside and outside stages. All of the artists were great, I just did a poor job of marketing the event and forecasting the turnout. That was my second event right after our very successful launch, so it almost discouraged me enough to stop hosting events altogether.
Another struggle includes losing my dream job at a beloved local company. That only lasted three months and it was devastating. My takeaway from it was this: life isn’t all about what you do or where you go, but who you’re with. The role and company was exactly where I wanted to be, yet not where I needed to be. The universe tends to have a twisted sense of humor.
After leaving that company, I wasn’t able to find another job for 5 months. And when I finally did, Covid hit the U.S. the very next week. I worked remotely in a tech sales role for a year before I got to meet any coworkers or connect with friends/family in person. That was a crazy time for everyone. The idea of hosting events ever again seemed like a fading dream every passing month.
In the past year, I’ve been part of major layoffs back-to-back at two software companies. I currently have a full-time job in tech sales but this industry is extremely volatile, it’s hard to know what the future holds.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In short, I do a plethora of activities to support local artists, businesses, and organizations. However, it’s how I do it that distinguishes me from anyone else that I’ve seen in Austin.
I have a natural love for enjoying live music/comedy with friends and libations, so I find myself at multiple shows all over town every week. This almost always includes local shows, rarely do I go to the big arenas like the Moody Center. I find this to be the simplest way I support the local scene.
I also have an Instagram @thinkflamingo where I post clips from most of the shows I’m at. I try to make the videos as appealing as possible so my followers get a true sense of the artists, which in turn allows for the artists to repost the content for additional marketing.
Thirdly, emceeing is something I’ve done a lot more of this past year. Some of my favorite local bands like the Texas String Assembly, Conner Stephens & The Country Worms, and Willy McGee & His Red Hot Band invite me to do it the most. We’ve had a ton of fun getting crowds rowdy at venues like Continental Club, Saxon Pub, Hotel Vegas, and Antone’s.
Last but not least, I organize and host my own events to support old Austin businesses and nonprofits. One that I’ve been working closely with is Preservation Austin. They’ve gone to great lengths over the last 70+ years to preserve our city’s culture and I’m hoping to partner with them for years to come.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I don’t necessarily feel there is even “credit” to give. Maybe one day I’ll accomplish something truly great and long-lasting. For now, I’m just a guy with the best friends in the world, a family who has never stopped believing in him, and a city that deserves endless resources to keep it weird.
In other words, every kind-hearted person in Austin who cares about this city’s culture deserves credit for anything I’ve done and will do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/clete.donovan/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkflamingo/
Image Credits
Jet King (Instagram @its.jetti.spaghetti)
