In this episode of Bright Ideas, Jessica Duemig sits down with Nancy Abrams, a veteran of over two decades with USTA Southern California, to talk about her career journey, the importance of growing tennis at all levels and her mission to increase opportunities for female coaches. Nancy shares her path from hospitality to tennis leadership, the story behind starting “Women and Girls Who Ace" and how coaching can transform athletes far beyond the court. This is a must-listen for sports business executives, aspiring coaches and anyone passionate about equity in sports.

Nancy Abrams’ career is a masterclass in evolving leadership within sports. Starting in hospitality and corporate partnerships, she transitioned into a 22-year tenure with USTA Southern California, where she championed grassroots programming and developed sponsorship models that elevated tennis’ reach. Her passion for growing the game led to the creation of “Women and Girls Who Ace,” an initiative dedicated to increasing the visibility and opportunities for female coaches.

In this episode, Nancy and Jessica explore the importance of equity in sports - especially in coaching. Nancy shares why it’s essential for coaches to master both technical expertise and “soft skills” like empathy, communication and leadership. She discusses the barriers women face entering and staying in coaching, from pay inequities to limited career pathways and offers actionable ways to make coaching a more appealing and accessible career for women at all levels.

The conversation also dives into the power of transferable skills, whether transitioning from business to sports or from on-court coaching to executive leadership. Nancy’s insights provide valuable takeaways for sports executives, aspiring coaches and advocates for diversity in athletics.

In this episode of Bright Ideas, host Jessica Duemig sits down with Dr. Sarita Sharp, a sports chiropractor and entrepreneur who has worked with athletes across soccer, strongman competitions and beyond. Dr. Sharp shares her unconventional journey into chiropractic care, what it takes to support athletes at the highest levels and why resilience and work-life balance matter as much as physical health. From her experience with Indy Eleven to building her own practice during the pandemic, she offers valuable lessons for sports business executives, aspiring professionals and anyone interested in holistic athlete care.

Dr. Sarita Sharp’s journey into sports chiropractic wasn’t a straight line. Originally drawn to medicine, she realized early on that the traditional route wasn’t the right fit. Instead, she discovered chiropractic care and never looked back - building a career that has taken her from working with professional soccer teams to treating elite strongman competitors at the Arnold Classic. Her perspective highlights not only the physical but also the mental and environmental factors that impact athlete health.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Sharp emphasizes the importance of resilience and balance. Whether reflecting on her time in Spartanburg, her experience treating athletes with unique and complex injuries, or her decision to open her own practice during COVID, she underscores how crucial it is to build systems that protect both body and mind. She also provides practical advice for everyday wellness, reminding us that simple steps like hydration, rest and walking can transform performance.

For those coming up in the industry, Dr. Sharp’s message is clear: shadow professionals, ask questions and explore different paths before committing to one. As one of the few Black female chiropractors in Indiana, she also discusses the importance of representation and networking, encouraging aspiring professionals to carve out their own lane while leaning on community support. Her insights are valuable not only for those interested in sports medicine, but for anyone navigating a career in the business of sports.

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Jessica Duemig sits down with Ariel Feigenbaum to explore her path into the sports industry and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Ariel shares her approach to building meaningful relationships, the role of mentorship in her career, and strategies for navigating challenges in a competitive field. Whether you’re a sports business executive or aspiring to break into the industry, this episode offers actionable insights and real stories from one of the field’s emerging leaders.

What's it All About?

Ariel Feigenbaum’s journey into the sports industry highlights the importance of persistence, passion, and building relationships. In this episode, she reflects on how her early experiences shaped her career, from internships to navigating the often-competitive hiring process. Listeners gain a real-world perspective on what it takes to stand out in sports business.

The conversation dives into mentorship and leadership, two themes Ariel credits for her growth. She emphasizes the value of finding mentors who challenge and support you, as well as the responsibility of paying that guidance forward to others. These insights resonate with both seasoned executives and those hoping to break into the industry.

Finally, Ariel shares practical advice on adapting to change, seizing opportunities, and keeping an open mind in a dynamic field. Her perspective offers a roadmap for sports professionals looking to expand their impact, while encouraging newcomers to focus on resilience and relationship-building.

About Ariel - In Her Own Words

Ariel Feigenbaum is a marketing leader with over 15 years of experience developing creative community-focused brand marketing and bold partnership initiatives. She is the VP of Client Services at Playbook For Health and has led partnership development at Laurel Springs School, Sutter Health, One Medical Group, and MRY for clients including Visa, Old Navy, and Neutrogena; bringing brands to life through innovative community programming and marketing activations. She is most recently the outgoing President of WISE SF Bay Area, and now serves as the chapter's Treasurer & Alumni Chair.

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Jessica Duemig sits down with Dani Kaiser, a rising talent at Fanatics with a background in fashion design and a passion for transforming fan gear. Dani shares her unique journey from designing high-fashion dresses at age 9 to working in licensed sports apparel, creating custom jackets that connect fans more deeply to their teams. She opens up about the challenges of being early in her career, how she built momentum through side projects, and why there’s a massive untapped market for women’s sports apparel. Whether you’re an executive in the sports industry or someone dreaming of breaking into the business, this conversation is filled with insights on creativity, persistence, and reimagining what fan experiences can look like.

What's it All About?

Dani Kaiser’s story is one of creativity, resilience and finding her place in the sports industry. From designing high-fashion dresses as a teenager to studying fashion at the University of Cincinnati, Dani followed her passion for design with an open mind and trust in the process. Her career path eventually led her to Fanatics, where she discovered a new way to merge her love for apparel design with sports culture.

But Dani’s journey didn’t stop at the workplace. Feeling the itch to create outside her day job, she began making custom jackets for herself and for fans—unique pieces that expressed pride, individuality and team spirit. These projects helped her rediscover her passion while also highlighting a glaring gap in the sports apparel market: products designed specifically for female fans and diverse audiences.

Throughout the conversation, Dani reflects on the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and pursuing creative outlets beyond the 9-to-5. She reminds listeners that hobbies can evolve into meaningful opportunities, and that success often comes from saying “yes” to unexpected chances. For anyone looking to break into the sports business - or reinvigorate their career - her story is both inspiring and practical.

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Jessica Duemig sits down with Jessica Poole - founder of Jessica Poole Communications Collective, GM of the Chicago Tempest and former athletic director - to explore the transformation of college athletics. From her early days as a Sports Information Director to leading NIL strategy, athlete branding, and department innovation, Poole shares her unique insights on navigating red tape, building trust with athletic directors and preparing the next generation of athletes for success on and off the field.Jessica Poole’s career in sports has spanned nearly every corner of college athletics - from Sports Information Director to athletic administrator to entrepreneur. In this Bright Ideas episode, she talks with Jessica Duemig about founding the Jessica Poole Communications Collective and why her unique blend of communications expertise and administrative leadership is helping athletic departments and athletes navigate the new NIL era.

The conversation explores how NIL, revenue sharing and athlete branding are transforming college sports, and why trust and lived experience matter when partnering with athletic directors. Poole emphasizes the importance of preparing athletes - even at the high school level - to control their narratives, understand the business of sports and navigate both opportunities and mistakes with the right tools.

With an eye toward innovation, Poole discusses reimagining athletic department structures, bridging campus and athletics communications and building systems that support athletes as both players and brands. This episode offers valuable lessons for sports executives and aspiring professionals seeking to thrive in a fast-changing sports landscape.

In this episode of Bright Ideas, host Jessica Duemig interviews John Franzone, the mind behind the Tampa Bay Lightning’s elite in-game presentation. Learn how his journey from NYU film school to MLB to the NHL shaped one of the most powerful entertainment teams in pro sports. From managing 60+ game-night staff to executing a brand vision fans feel with every goal, Franzone shares how to lead with intention, foster team growth, and create unforgettable moments at every event. A must-listen for anyone in sports biz, live events or content creation.

Jess and John, VP of Game Presentation for the Tampa Bay Lightning, explore the high-octane world of NHL entertainment. John unpacks how his team owns everything that happens between the whistles - from plaza activations and video board shows to lighting, music, military tributes, and that iconic Tesla coil. He shares the department’s mission: to "make a memory" and to emotionally connect fans with the team beyond just the on-ice product.

Franzone also dives into his journey from NYU film school to baseball's Mets and Yankees, to launching game presentation at the Rays and finally finding his home in hockey. He discusses how building a high-performing, creative team required trust, mentorship, and letting go of micromanagement. His leadership style is focused on empowering his “lieutenants,” fostering passion, and instilling a purpose-driven approach to every element of the fan experience.

For anyone building a career in sports or seeking lessons on creative leadership, this episode is packed with value. Franzone’s mindset on branding, fan loyalty, and storytelling offers timeless insights on how live sports can connect hearts, not just sell tickets. Whether you're in marketing, content, operations, or strategy, you'll walk away inspired to elevate your game.

#BrightIdeasPod #Networking #SportsBusiness #Leadership #SportsBiz #SportsMarketing #BrightIdeasPodcast #TampaBayLightning #NHL #GamePresentation #FanExperience #HockeyLife #SportsExecs

Kate McKinnon went from aspiring criminal profiler to leading HR for one of the fastest-growing companies in sports - Playfly Sports. In this episode of Bright Ideas, host Jess Duemig dives into Kate’s dynamic career path, from behavioral health to sales, to building HR teams in healthcare and sports. Learn how curiosity, people-first leadership, and the ability to adapt fueled Kate’s journey - and how she now empowers others through her own consulting practice.

Kate’s journey into sports wasn't planned - but it was perfectly aligned. Starting in behavioral health, transitioning into corporate sales, and then pivoting into HR, Kate built a toolkit rooted in relationship-building, adaptability, and servant leadership. When the opportunity to work at Playfly Sports arose, she jumped at the chance to merge her professional skillset with her personal passion for sports. What followed was a meteoric rise, helping grow the company from under 200 to over 1,000 employees.

Kate and Jess dig into what it really takes to build successful teams in sports. From promoting curiosity and enthusiasm over rigid credentials, to dealing with burnout and post-COVID workplace expectations, they explore how hiring the right humans - not just résumés - creates thriving companies. Kate also speaks candidly about how HR professionals have been stretched in new ways since 2020, navigating everything from vaccine mandates to diversity training, often without formal preparation.

Now running her own firm, Kate McKinnon HR Solutions, she helps companies and individuals align people strategy with business strategy. From leadership coaching to DEI programs, she’s creating lasting impact across industries. Whether you're early in your career or leading teams in sports, this episode offers fresh, grounded wisdom on how to succeed and stay human while doing it.

#SportsBusiness #HRLeadership #PlayflySports #KateMcKinnon #SportsCareers #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenInSports #BrightIdeasPodcast

In this episode of Bright Ideas, host Jessica Duemig welcomes Matt Wolff, the founder of Ticket Time Machine™, a company that’s redefining the sports memorabilia and fan engagement space. From his inspiration at a Marlins no-hitter to working with major brands like the Savannah Bananas and Florida Panthers, Matt shares how he built a business rooted in passion, nostalgia, and innovation. Learn how commemorative tickets, custom badges, and creative branding assets can create lasting fan experiences - and how to navigate the red tape in sports business.

Matt Wolff’s story is a powerful blend of fandom, hustle, and vision. In this episode, he talks about the spark that launched Ticket Time Machine™—a Marlins game, a no-hitter, and a missed opportunity for a printed keepsake. That moment led to the creation of a business rooted in personal memory and fan experience. Now, Matt works with professional teams, artists, festivals, and iconic sports brands to create unique, tangible pieces of sports history that fans can hold onto.

Beyond just printing commemorative tickets, Matt has expanded his offerings to include badges, lanyards, media passes, and more. His approach isn’t just about nostalgia - it’s about doing it better. He’s determined to offer quality, personalized memorabilia in a market flooded with generic, mass-produced items. And he’s doing it while staying true to his values - legitimate licensing, thoughtful design, and products that actually mean something to fans.

Matt also gives a candid look into the realities of starting and scaling a business in sports. From navigating vendor approvals to figuring out who’s actually making decisions inside pro teams, he shares hard-won lessons on persistence, relationship building, and knowing when to go all-in. His commitment to fan-first experiences and meaningful keepsakes shines through every part of the conversation.

For anyone looking to break into the sports industry - or anyone already in it trying to stand out - Matt’s story is an inspiring reminder that there's still plenty of room to build something special, especially when it comes from a place of passion.

#TicketTimeMachine #SportsBusiness #FanEngagement #SportsEntrepreneurship #SportsMarketing #BrightIdeasPodcast #Collectibles #CommemorativeTickets