We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dalton Smith. Check out our conversation below.
Dalton, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is controlled chaos. I’ve built a growing agency that’s right on the edge of its next evolution. It’s grown bigger than just me, and now I’m stepping into the slightly uncomfortable but exciting space of delegating more and leading the team to that next level.
I’m also a huge family man. My wife Madison works one day a week, and I’m so blessed to spend the rest of that time with her and our baby girl, Kaia. Even though I travel and work a lot, most days I’m home – in my office editing, planning, jumping into meetings, and always sneaking away to play with Kaia and Madi. We’ve got a little zoo going on at Smith Farms – two dogs, a bearded dragon, a rescued chameleon (who’s actually invasive in our area), two chickens, four ducks, and four fish tanks, including two big 55-gallon setups.
Lately, I’ve also been pushing myself physically as I approach 35. I’m trying to lock in daily goals like 100 push-ups, 50 pull-ups, sunrise one-wheel rides to the beach, and five-mile bike rides when I can squeeze them in. I’m always balancing the chaos of building and running NPI – whether that’s editing, producing, or managing the team – while staying healthy, being present with my family, and staying creative.
On top of all that, I’m a storyteller at heart. We’re constantly making vlogs and fun little family reels throughout the week, which I love. And if there’s ever a free second, you’ll find me surfing, skateboarding, or scuba diving. There’s barely a spare minute in my schedule, but I’m passionate about all of it – and right now, I’m focused on growing the company in a way that allows me to keep that happiness and balance moving forward.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name’s Dalton Smith, and I’m the founder of NPI Productions – a full-scale media production agency based in Florida. Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for being a go-to team for action sports, commercial work, branded content, and high-end storytelling. We’ve had our hands in everything from fast-paced live events to cinematic product campaigns, and I’ve been lucky to grow the company into something that’s now much bigger than just me behind a camera.
What really makes us special is the way we adapt. We’ve never been afraid to evolve. Right now, we’re in one of the biggest growth phases we’ve ever had. On one side, we’re continuing to push into large-scale, nationally recognized productions – like our upcoming live stream for the World Surf League in November, which will be the biggest production we’ve ever led. It’s a multi-day broadcast that we’re producing from the ground up, and we’re also creating a full one-hour docuseries-style TV show alongside it. It’s a major leap for us in terms of scope, effort, and storytelling.
We’ve also been working closely with ESPN over the last couple years, and that relationship is starting to expand in some exciting ways. One of our biggest focuses going forward is growing deeper into the live sports and entertainment broadcast world – something we’re uniquely equipped to do, both creatively and technically.
At the same time, we’re just as passionate about helping small local businesses. A big part of what makes NPI unique is our ability to serve both ends of the spectrum. From national-level productions to small business content that truly moves the needle. We’ve shifted into more of a full-service agency for many of our local clients, helping them with everything from short-form social content to full quarterly content programs, adjusting with the constantly shifting demands of modern media.
At the end of the day, we’re storytellers. Whether it’s a commercial for a local restaurant or a globally streamed surf competition, we care about the story, the impact, and the people behind the project. That’s what drives everything we do – and that’s what’s pushing us into this next chapter.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think the part of me that has served its purpose and now needs to be released is the version of me that was always willing to sacrifice everything – even my own well-being – to make productions happen and keep the business growing.
Early on, I’d take 10-man jobs and reduce them to two-man crews just to make it feasible, scale faster, and stretch our resources. And I don’t regret it – it allowed me to invest in gear, build a fleet, and become a true agency capable of running multiple productions at once. I was able to buy a house in our dream community, invest in the stock market, and lay a solid foundation for my business and my family.
When I started NPI at 21, I was coming out of some really rough years – I had battled drug use and was surrounded by the wrong people. Launching my YouTube channel felt like a second chance. From 21 to 27, I was all in. I met my ex-fiancé, rented our first townhouse, and just locked into tunnel vision. I didn’t think about burnout, didn’t feel tired, didn’t stop for anything – I was addicted to the energy and the passion of building something from nothing.
After my fiancé left in 2017, I met my now-wife Madison, and over the next year, I went through a lot of emotional growth. It was hard, but it transitioned me into a man and helped me heal not just from the breakup, but from childhood trauma I hadn’t even realized I was carrying. 2018 to 2020 were beautiful years of growth with Madison.
Then COVID hit… and like everyone else, I was scared. But weirdly, I felt a sense of peace knowing we were all facing it together. That experience forced me to slow down, reset creatively, and realign my vision for the company. I brought on our first salaried team members – JD and Gavin – and really stepped into building a team. That team thrived from 2020 through the end of 2024. When JD, my right-hand man, left in late 2024, it was heartbreaking – but also necessary. It gave me space I didn’t know I needed. For the first time in years, I was able to pause, reflect, and look forward.
Then in 2023, our daughter Kaia was born. And over the last two years, I’ve felt more pressure than ever to find balance. That old mindset – the one that believed burnout didn’t exist, that I could work 30 hours a day, that there was no such thing as “too much” – finally hit a wall. In the last six months, I’ve felt the squeeze like never before. It’s disrupted my peace and made it clear: something has to change.
I’m hard-working, but I’m also stubborn… I don’t respond to nudges. So life shoved me. And now I see it’s time to let go of the “do-it-all” mentality and fully lean into building a structured team that can help us execute at scale. My life has gotten bigger. The agency has gotten bigger. The projects are bigger. And those growing pains are real – but they’re also the sign that it’s time for the next chapter.
It’s scary. But it’s also beautiful. And I’m ready for it.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most in life has been the fear of people. I was raised by a beautiful family and I’m so thankful for my mom, but certain people and things from my childhood instilled a deep threat mentality in me. I didn’t even realize until recently how much of a chip I had on my shoulder or how isolated I had made myself. That might surprise people – I come off as outgoing, I work with the community, and I seem comfortable in social settings. But behind the scenes, I’ve always viewed competition and even potential collaborators as threats – people who could step into my space and make this already hard path even harder.
I’ve also been burned a lot, both by strangers and close friends in this industry. Not even two weeks ago, I helped a client last-minute, paid a local filmmaker really well, and then got burned by both. It was the first time I had two parties accusing each other of backdoor deals, and I had to walk away from both of them. But for the first time, I was able to separate the situation from the bigger picture – it was a crappy moment, but not a reflection of people in general.
I’ve actually been really blessed lately to connect with an amazing group of filmmakers here in Central Florida. My friend David Morefield invited me to speak at his filmmaker group, and I was nervous – because honestly, I’ve never really mingled much with others in my industry. It’s always been a “hi and stay in your lane” type of vibe for me. But that mindset held me back more than I realized.
Now I’ve found a better balance. I still trust my gut and vet who I let in, but I know that if I don’t take some risks and open up, I’ll stay isolated. Whether it’s a friend, a co-worker, or a spouse – the most meaningful relationships require vulnerability. And yeah, it might hurt when it doesn’t work out. But if you never open yourself up, you miss the most beautiful part of life – connection.
I’m excited to carry this mindset into the next chapter and see what kind of relationships can grow from it.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I really like this question, because I’ve always worked hard to be transparent and real through my social media. The NPI Productions brand has always been heavily tied to me – Dalton Smith – and I’ve made it a point to show up as my full self. On the NPI pages, I try to keep things professional, but my personality is always present. Whether it’s passion, honesty, or standing up for what’s right, you’re going to see the real me.
Because my brand was built around my forward-facing presence, it’s always been an unconventional but honest agency. I’m sure some people might question my approach, but I’ve seen firsthand how authenticity builds strong, lasting relationships. There’s money to be made in any industry – but good relationships are rare, and you have to work for them.
At this stage, I’m excited to keep leaning into that transparency, sharing the wins and the setbacks, to connect more deeply with our clients and to encourage others in the filmmaking space who are trying to figure it out too.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think what my customers would miss most is the passion and energy. There are a lot of talented people out there with the right tools and gear, but when you’re on set with us, the passion is tangible. People can feel it.
At the end of the day, content is the deliverable – and if it’s done well, most clients are happy. But when you create it with real, undying passion, it elevates everything. It improves the energy, the relationships, and ultimately, the final product. People have always described my energy as infectious, and that’s something I’m really proud of. And it’s not just me – the team I’ve built brings that same fire to every shoot, every day.
That’s what makes us different, and that’s what I think people would miss most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.npiproductions.tv
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/npiproductions/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daltonsmithnpi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/npiproductions/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/npiproductions
