July 30, 2024

From a Side Hustle to a Full Time Gig Through the Power of Women in Sports, the Olympics and Community, with Jamie Mittelman, Founder of Flame Bearers

48 minutes

“I wanted to be a part of providing role models who look and sound like women from all over the world,” shares Jamie Mittelman, founder of Flame Bearers, a media company dedicated to amplifying the stories of women Olympians and Paralympians. In this episode, she joins Lindsay Pinchuk to discuss her journey from passionate Olympic fan to full-time entrepreneur.

Jamie highlights the significant gender disparity in sports media, where only 15% of coverage focuses on women, and even less on women from diverse backgrounds or those with disabilities. This inspired her to create Flame Bearers, which shares these athletes’ stories through podcasts, videos, and live events. The athletes become ambassadors for Flame Bearers, helping to grow the platform organically.

The episode covers the challenges and triumphs of building a business from scratch, including the importance of a supportive network and the pivotal moment when Jamie realized Flame Bearers could be more than a passion project. She talks about the role of grants and sponsorships in funding her venture and the shift toward a sponsorship model for sustainability.

Jamie’s story demonstrates the power of community and storytelling in driving social change. Tune in to this episode of Dear FoundHer… to hear more about Jamie Mittelman’s innovative media approach through Flame Bearers, her commitment to elevating female athletes, and her mission to spotlight the stories of women Olympians and Paralympians.

Quotes

“Women athletes have not historically had a community. They have been pitted against each other. Historically, women in general have viewed each other as competition and not as a whole rising together. I wanted to do it differently.” (22:31 | Jamie Mittelman)
“Some of the best ideas I’ve had have not been mine; they’ve come from our community. I think I’ve been open enough to hear them and been responsive to them. Where a lot of founders go wrong is they ignore the comments of their community.” (36:28 | Jamie Mittelman)
“I want people to think of Flame Bearers anytime they think of the best female athletes in the world. I want it to be the community, the hub of the best athletes in the world, where they feel like their stories are told in their own words.” (38:08 | Jamie Mittelman)

Connect with Jamie Mittelman:

http://www.instagram.com/jamiemittelman

http://www.instagram.com/flamebearers

Get on the Dear FoundHer... email list for more: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Grab some time with Lindsay to build and grow your business. Set up a 1:1 Accelerator Call today: https://calendly.com/lindsaypinchuk/1-1-marketing-strategy-session-with-lindsay-pinchuk

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

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By Lindsay Pinchuk

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