Most of us know Jim Scano from his service as a Gunter ISD Trustee, Chairman of the Greater Celina Chamber of Commerce, founding member of the Celina Local Business Alliance, or for one of the many local businesses he’s founded, such as Atomic T-Shirts and Signs. No matter how you were introduced to Jim, you are most likely struck by his sincerity, kindness, and love of experiencing the most life has to offer. We sat down with Jim to talk about our community and entrepreneurship.
As the owner of several small businesses, what motivates you most?
That's difficult to narrow down to one thing. I've been a creator my whole life. Entrepreneurship, to me, is about creativity and problem-solving, which absolutely motivates me and satisfies my creative side. But just as important are the relationships—both within our companies and with the people we serve. A popular term right now is, "solopreneur," someone who sets up and runs a business on their own. That takes immense creativity and self-motivation, but honestly, I couldn’t do it. For me, it’s the team and the connections we build with each other and those we serve that keep me going. The responsibility I feel toward them is what motivates me every day.
How do you define success?
Success is deeply personal and relatively different for everyone. For me, success is very much a journey with one of the goals being greater freedom. It's a continuous process of creating a life that aligns with your values and passions, rather than milestones. It's the ability to grow, learn, and maintain balance in all areas of life. On one hand, success is about being content with where you are, while on the other hand, it's continuously working on simply being a better human. Ultimately, success is a personal journey that requires a lot of introspection and self-awareness, but the most important part is that you’re the one defining it—not someone else.
What do you think is the most important attribute of a leader?
The foundation of leadership is trust, credibility, and influence. Therefore, in my opinion, the most important attribute would then be integrity. When leaders act with integrity, they create a culture of trust where team members feel respected and valued. A leader with integrity should be an example of ethical behavior and accountability. Owning up to mistakes and learning from them. My go-to question during our interview process is, "Aside from the position or title you may have, why should someone follow you?"
How do you manage to balance all of the competing interests on your time?
Coffee, an overly optimistic to-do list, and a very forgiving wife! But seriously, balancing competing interests is a struggle for most people. What has worked for me is putting competent people into the right systems and processes and trusting them to do their job. On a personal level, I have to make constant, intentional, self-corrections throughout the day to ensure I'm not getting sucked into something that isn't the best use of my time. All that being said, owning a growing business requires a flexible schedule. Is a packed calendar the mark of a productive person or just a busy person?
What do you think is the greatest asset of the area?
I believe there are two answers to that. Tangibly, I’d say it’s the square in downtown Celina. It’s the heartbeat of our community and a key driver of the connection people feel here. But as much as the brick roads and historic buildings are charming, they’re not the real magic of Celina. That magic lies in the people and the culture that has grown here over generations. It’s a treasure that can’t be planned, zoned, or built into a development. It’s something we as a community need to make a conscious effort to nurture and protect.
What do you think is the greatest challenge facing our area?
I believe it’s managing the rapid growth while staying true to the identity and values that make Celina so special. I've stated before that economics drive growth, but that doesn't mean we can't guide growth. We must ensure growth doesn’t dilute the sense of community and culture that has been cultivated here over generations. We need to be intentional about preserving the spirit of Celina which is what draws people here in the first place. That means thoughtful planning, protecting what makes this area unique, and making sure we’re investing in the services that support families and businesses that call Celina home. It’s a balancing act, but I believe it’s one we can manage.
Atomic T-Shirts & Signs
412 N Oklahoma Dr. Ste 110, Celina
As much as the brick roads and historic buildings are charming, they’re not the real magic of Celina. That magic lies in the people and the culture that has grown here over generations.