We recently connected with Shawn Satterfield and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shawn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

One of the most unexpected challenges we faced at Shine Music was the disconnect between the impact we were making and the financial infrastructure needed to sustain it. As our festival grew, so did the expectations around our three core pillars: Accessibility, Innovation, and Community. Each year, we pushed ourselves to expand accessible design, integrate new technology, and deepen our partnerships with disability organizations. The demand for what we were creating was undeniable.

But the reality is that pioneering this kind of inclusive experience is expensive, and the fundraising climate in arts and culture hasn’t kept pace with the level of access our community deserves. After the 2024 festival, it became clear that continuing without a stronger financial foundation would put our mission at risk.

The hardest decision I’ve made as Founder was choosing to pause the Shine Music Festival for 2025. It was a deeply emotional moment, because this event is the embodiment of our pillars: a space where barriers fall away, where innovation is visible and meaningful, and where people of all abilities come together in true community.

Yet the pause opened the door for a needed shift. We’re using this time to strengthen our financial strategy, diversify long-term funding, and build the operational capacity that will allow Shine to continue delivering accessibility, innovation, and community at the level our audience expects. It was a difficult turning point, but ultimately it ensures Shine’s longevity and positions us to create even greater impact in the future.

Shawn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the Founder and President of Shine Music, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming live music into a place where everyone belongs. My path into this work comes from a lifelong commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and the belief that community spaces should reflect the diversity of the people who rely on them.

Shine Music creates universally accessible experiences at concerts and festivals by combining innovative technology, thoughtful design, and deep collaboration with disability organizations. Our work bridges digital accessibility, sensory inclusion, mobility access, and emerging accessibility tech, from captioning glasses to vibrotactile dance floors. We don’t just remove barriers; we reimagine what’s possible.

What sets Shine apart is our holistic approach. Accessibility isn’t an afterthought, it’s the foundation. And because we’ve built trusted relationships with more than 30 organizations serving the disability community, our events and partnerships reflect lived experience at every stage.

I’m most proud of the fact that Shine has become a model for what inclusive live music can look like, recognized by the City of Denver, featured in ongoing documentary coverage, and embraced by families and individuals who tell us our festival is the only event where they feel fully welcomed. More than anything, I want people to know that Shine’s mission is about belonging, joy, and community connection. The music is the vehicle; inclusion is the destination.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A moment that truly tested my resilience came after the 2024 festival. Despite a powerful event with strong community turnout and national attention, we ended the season facing a significant funding shortfall. It was a moment that could have quieted our momentum.

Instead, it clarified the responsibility I hold as founder. I spent months navigating hard conversations, reassessing our financial structure, and evaluating every aspect of our operations. The easy choice would have been to scale back permanently or accept a diminished version of Shine. But that didn’t align with who we are or what our community deserves.

Pushing through that season, while protecting Shine’s integrity and supporting our partners, required resilience, vulnerability, and an unwavering belief in our mission. It strengthened me as a leader and set the stage for the strategic growth we’re now planning.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The biggest pivot in Shine’s journey was the decision to pause the 2025 festival and shift our focus from year-to-year events to long-term sustainability. This wasn’t simply a break; it was a deliberate transition into a more mature phase of the organization.

We realized that Shine had outgrown the grassroots model we started with. The demand for inclusive events was rising, and so were the expectations. To meet that need, we had to evolve, strengthening our funding base, expanding our partnerships with corporations and accessibility-focused innovators, and developing a multi-year strategy that supports growth rather than reacting to annual uncertainty.

This pivot will ultimately enable Shine to serve more people, partner with more organizations, and build a national presence. It was a strategic choice rooted in responsibility, not retreat, and it positions us for deeper impact moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shinemusic.rocks/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinemusicfestivaldenver/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shinemusicfestivaldenver
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shine-music-llc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShineMusicFestivalDenver
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shinemusicfestival

Image Credits

EJ Carr