Forty Under 40: Jonathan Perrodin

He was told to “do what you do” by a man he respected, and took the advice.

For Jonathan Perrodin, that meant giving himself the freedom and flexibility to follow his passion, even if that passion led him to places he hadn’t considered.

The founder of Team Springdale, Perrodin Supply and The Little Craft Show, Perrodin finds himself on the front lines in the effort to re-invent Springdale. Equipped with a grasp of social media, graphic design and an old-fashioned curiosity for the world around him, Perrodin has helped create a core of Springdale enthusiasts centered on the small businesses that give the town flavor.

That’s not what the Fayetteville native thought he’d be doing when he earned his degree in philosophy from the University of Arkansas, but he’s convinced he’s doing the right thing.

“I have a certain tenacity for perfection,” he said. “I stay at it until it’s right. Any endeavor I do, I jump in all the way.”

Even though he’s only 31, one of Perrodin’s fears is becoming out-of-touch and irrelevant. To that end, he wants to keep up with the younger generation so he can deliver his message.

“Before, people thought you had to run away to a big city to make something happen,” he said. “I want to show children that the potential is here.”