Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackson Carter.
Hi Jackson, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
For years, I hosted the morning show on a local radio station in Salt Lake City. Things were going well until the pandemic struck. When people started working from home, our ratings took a hit. Despite doing everything in our power to keep the show afloat (including winning “Best Radio Show” from 2020 Best of SLC Awards), we got canceled in February 2021.
Suddenly I found myself unemployed in one of the most hostile job markets in recent memory. I applied for dozens of jobs to no avail. I had a wealth of experience in radio and TV, but it didn’t seem to attract any employers.
As I got to the end of my savings with no job on the horizon, I asked myself how I could make ends meet by doing the thing I’m best at – telling stories. That’s when I had an epiphany. While working at the station, I used my lifelong obsession with true crime to start a podcast where I talked about some of the cases I found most fascinating.
With countless files of crime research at my disposal, I got to work putting together a tour of Downtown SLC. I figured I could sell tickets to my podcast listeners and actually show them the places I talked about on the show. I mapped out a 1.5 miles route that would take us past 5 infamous true-crime locations – with plenty of art, history, and architecture along the way.
Since then, the Nightcat True Crime Walking Tour has grown into one of the highest-rated Salt Lake City tours on Google. It became my full-time job through the summer and Halloween seasons and continues to be my primary source of income. I am now in the process of putting together additional routes and getting a tour bus on the road.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This whole process has been an enormous undertaking. I have never owned or run a company before and I’ve had to learn everything through trial and error. Running your own business means that the hours are never-ending and the pay is never guaranteed.
In many ways, it has been my greatest challenge as an entertainer. Not only do I have to produce and deliver quality content, but I’ve also had to learn how to get a business license, design and distribute marketing materials, basic bookkeeping, grant writing, and all of the other millions of day-to-day things required to keep the business going.
That being said, it’s also been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. My audience has rallied around and supported me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done any of this without the people who listened to my radio show and followed me on social media. They’ve come on the tour, told their friends about it, donated to my Patreon, and are always there to offer an encouraging word.
I am surrounded by a community of people who believe in me and love the work I’m doing. It makes every bit of struggle worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
From the time I took my first drama class in 8th grade, I knew I wanted to be an entertainer. After pursuing high school and community theatre, I got my first big break at 21-years-old when I joined the cast of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” Don’t get me wrong, everything about being on that show was hard. I was hungry, exhausted, and every part of my body hurt from the near-constant exercising. I woke up every day knowing that I would be getting screamed at, on camera, until I either threw up or collapsed.
But the show was also a crash course in television and storytelling. I got publicity and social media training from some of the best in the business. With the hours of talking-head interviews, we did every day, the producers coached me on how to tell a concise, compelling story. I was asked by TV Guide to writing recaps of every episode of my season. It was the education I so desperately wanted, but could never afford to pursue at a college or university.
After that, I was hooked. I knew that I would do whatever it took to continue working as a storyteller. By day, I worked a string of full-time jobs to pay the bills. By night, I took every opportunity that came my way. Hosting pub trivia, public speaking, emceeing live events, fill-in hosting on any local talk show that would have me. I even got work at a company called Scales and Tails Utah, where I hosted traveling, live reptile shows for children.
Out of off of it, I think the thing I’m most proud of in my time on the radio. After a lengthy audition process, I got hired to host a single night shift on the weekends. But I quickly rose through the ranks. After a while, I took on the role of “morning show stunt boy,” hitting the streets in the radio station van to pull off pranks and giveaways which eventually lead to a full-time morning show gig.
More than just a cut-and-paste news show with the same tired jokes, my co-hosts and I had nearly complete creative freedom to do whatever weird, silly things we wanted. And we took full advantage. We hunted down cheating partners live on the air with “Fiance Friday.” We constructed a slip and slide out of garbage bags and gas station nacho cheese in the office hallway.
I dressed in an inflatable Pikachu costume and was hoisted 30′ in the air on a scissor lift next to the freeway to promote our “Detective Pikachu” ticket giveaway. We loaded up the station van with rescue puppies and took them to our listeners’ workplaces for much-needed “Puppy Parties.” The hours were long and the pay was terrible. But I have never felt more creatively fulfilled in my life.
That is, until the Nightcat True Crime Walking Tour.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I inherited stubbornness from both sides. On one hand, it’s incredibly helpful. At times when things get hard, stubbornness helps me stick to my guns. I put everything I have into everything I do. Most of the time, it pays off.
However, stubbornness can also be my biggest weakness. Sometimes, I have a tendency to hyper-focus on small details when my energy could be better used on other things. I also struggle to ask for help when facing a problem too big for just one person to handle.
As a business owner, I’ve had to learn to remain mindful and occasionally take a step back to look at the big picture. I have to consciously channel my “never give up” attitude into the right things and admit when it’s time to move on. Which is a skill in and of itself.
Contact Info:
- Email: jacksoncarterspeaks@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.nightcatshow.com/crime-tours
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksonwhitt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacksonwhitthost
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYkhQ3S9h488vzk42ui0Dnw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacksonwhitt
