Sally Bradshaw

Owner & Operator, Midtown Reader Bookstore

After a 30-year career in politics, including serving as the chief of staff to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and as a White House staffer under President George H.W. Bush, Sally Bradshaw stepped away from political life to pursue a longtime passion for books and community learning. She is the owner and operator of Midtown Reader, an independent bookstore in Tallahassee dedicated to fostering literacy, curiosity, and conversation. Bradshaw has served on the Florida State Board of Education, chaired multiple school boards, and recently chaired the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Board of Directors. She continues to support local philanthropy, education, and literacy initiatives. Sally and her husband, Paul, live on a farm in Gadsden County and have four adult children.

Describe a defining moment or achievement in your career.

I’ve been blessed with so many wonderful experiences, but honestly, one of the most defining was winning Honorable Mention in a “newspaper in the classroom” essay contest sponsored by the Memphis, Tennessee Commercial Appeal daily newspaper.
I was in the second grade and awarded a huge box of beautiful hardback books! I’ve never forgotten that moment.

How do you define success? 
I think the definition of success has changed for me over time. As a young person new to the workforce, I was determined to outwork everyone and overperform on every task, checking every box. And I still have a little bit of the workaholic in me! But as I’ve had children and as I’ve grown older, so much of what I consider success is in finding ways to partner with others and give back to my family and to the community.

What motivates you? 

Chocolate. And wine. Well not just that! I have to be able to look myself in the mirror and know that I spoke truth, hopefully with kindness and good intentions, and I did the best I could do, no matter the challenge.

Tell us about a time when you were met with a crossroads decision. How did you face that? 

Hands down my crossroads decision was leaving politics. I had just finished a stint in the 2016 presidential campaign, where the rhetoric was increasingly divisive, and I realized I didn’t want to keep working in a world that had grown so ugly. So, I walked away. It was scary and liberating. I haven’t missed a minute of that life since.

What advice do you have for young women pursuing their careers? 

Surround yourself with other strong women. Seek their advice. Support them. Watch and learn from them. I love working with teams of women. Women get things done. And we don’t have time for the drama.