We were lucky to catch up with Chelsea Fishman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chelsea, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
To be honest, it’s something I’m still working on. When I decided to pursue my dream of opening a bar dedicated to women’s sports, I knew I was stepping into uncharted territory—not just for myself, but for the industry as a whole. Women’s sports bars are a relatively new and emerging concept, and there’s nothing like this in the Southeast.
Dreaming up, building, and announcing Jolene Jolene has been the most exciting chapter of my career, but it’s also the most challenging. I’ve never opened a business before, let alone a sports bar. While my background in business and management has given me valuable skills, this endeavor feels like a whole new world.
Imposter syndrome has crept in countless times. Whether it’s facing yet another rejection from a bank or reading comments doubting my ability to succeed, there are daily reminders that try to tell me I’m not qualified—that I don’t have the experience or the right resume. And I think a lot of women can relate to this. We’re often less comfortable with the “fake it till you make it” mindset that comes more naturally to our male counterparts.
But when I feel those doubts creeping in, I remind myself of two things: First, I do have the experience, skills, and determination to make this happen. And second, this dream is about so much more than me. Jolene Jolene isn’t just a sports bar—it’s a movement, a space for community, and a celebration of women’s sports that Atlanta so clearly craves.
The incredible support from Atlanta’s women’s sports community has been my greatest source of inspiration and encouragement. It reminds me why I started this journey and fuels my confidence to keep going. I know I won’t have all the answers right away, but I believe that the pieces will fall into place as I learn and grow. With good people around me, trust in my intuition, and a deep commitment to this mission, I’m confident that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hi! I’m Chelsea, the founder of Jolene Jolene, Atlanta’s first sports bar dedicated to women’s sports. This project is deeply personal to me, not only as a lifelong fan of women’s sports but also as someone who has seen how underserved this space is in our community. Women’s sports are growing at an incredible rate, with record-breaking viewership and an expanding fanbase, yet there’s no dedicated place where people can come together to celebrate and support their favorite players and teams. That’s what Jolene Jolene is all about—creating a home for women’s sports fans to connect, cheer, and build community.
What excites me most about this venture is that it’s about more than just sports. Jolene Jolene is also a platform to amplify women, from partnering with women-owned businesses to showcasing local women artists. We want to create an inclusive, empowering space that feels welcoming to everyone while celebrating women in every way possible.
It’s been a challenging and thrilling journey to build something that doesn’t yet exist in the Southeast. But the response from the Atlanta community has been incredible and affirming. The enthusiasm, support, and shared vision for what Jolene Jolene can be has made every step worth it.
What I’d love for people to know about Jolene Jolene is that it is a bar for women’s sports, not a bar for women. This is has been hard for some people (read men) to wrap their heads around. Jolene Jolene is for everyone – women, men, families, diehard fans, good vibe lovers, etc.
We have an end of the year event coming up that will be a fun chance to get together and celebrate this year of women’s sports! Details coming soon on IG @jolenejoleneatl.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Daringness
Choosing to leave the career I’d spent 10 years building was a pretty ballsy choice. I’ve had to be daring from day one to make Jolene Jolene a reality. Launching a concept like a women’s sports bar—a completely new concept in Atlanta—required me to take bold steps. Even announcing it on social media was scary! With everything, I’ve had to trust my vision, step out of my comfort zone, and take risks in areas I’d never ventured into, like fundraising and business development. My advice for those early in their journey is to embrace discomfort. Growth happens when you dare to try new things, take risks, and lean into challenges. Even when things feel uncertain, I believe that the risk is often worth the reward.
2. Community Building
Community building has been hands down the best part of this journey. Jolene Jolene isn’t just about creating a sports bar—it’s about cultivating a sense of belonging, connection, and shared passion among women’s sports fans in Atlanta. And this is already happening before we even have our brick and mortar. From listening to the needs of the community to creating events that bring people together, prioritizing relationships has been the foundation of any success I’ve had. For those just starting, my advice is to focus on people first. Build authentic connections, collaborate openly, and find ways to serve and engage with your community.
3. Ask Questions
I’ve learned that curiosity and humility are invaluable tools for success. I had to admit that I didn’t know everything about running a bar, organizing finances, or hiring a team—and that’s okay. Asking questions has helped me learn from experts, avoid costly mistakes, and gain insights that have shaped my vision for Jolene Jolene. My advice is to always be open to learning. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, seek out advice, and lean on mentors. People are often more willing to help than you think.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes! I’m always looking for teams/brands/individuals to collaborate with. At Jolene Jolene, community is at the core of everything we do. It’s a priority for me to stay connected with local teams and women-owned businesses, working together to celebrate and elevate the incredible things happening here in Atlanta.
A big part of our vision is to create a space that hosts watch parties for local teams and houses meaningful conversations with industry experts and players. If you’re passionate about women’s sports and want to be part of this movement, I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me at [email protected] or connect with us on Instagram at @jolenejoleneatl.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jolenejoleneatl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolenejoleneatl/
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