Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deane Flickinger. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Deane, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
When people ask me where my generosity comes from, I think about the kindness I’ve received throughout my life. Everyone, at some point, has experienced generosity—it feels good to be helped, and it feels just as good to pay it forward. Maybe generosity is a little selfish in that way, because it brings a sense of satisfaction, or maybe it’s simply the right thing to do, because everyone needs a hand sometimes. I’ve been told I’m lucky, and maybe that’s true. Growing up, my parents were generous with their time and taught me and my brother the value of giving. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to receive generosity from so many people, whether through jobs, advice, or opportunities. That and along having a loving wife who is the poster child of generosity and love has in turn, made me want to be generous with others—it’s just good for the soul.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m the owner of Dream Free Media, a media production company based in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to helping people tell their stories. Our work spans a range of industries, from outdoor television and the hunting world to corporate clients, non-profits, and real estate. What excites me most about what we do is the opportunity to bring a client’s vision to life through carefully crafted, beautiful media. One example of sincere generosity shown towards me was when Chase and Stuart Evans, two brilliant entrepreneurs and owners of Evans Construction, based out of Sandston, Virginia, invested in and gave me the chance to build Dream Free Media while working with their construction firm. Their mentorship and support helped shape the company into what it is today. At Dream Free Media, we believe everyone has a story worth telling; we’re just here to make sure it’s told in the best possible way.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey were optimism, surrounding myself with great people, and a relentless drive to improve. Optimism is huge—you can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you respond. A good attitude will take you further than you think. Second, surrounding yourself with genuine, knowledgeable people is a game-changer. Find mentors, friends, and colleagues who are passionate and lead by example—it makes all the difference. Finally, never stop pushing to be the best in your field. Keep learning, experimenting, and refining your craft. For those just starting out, focus on mindset, build a strong circle, and stay hungry for growth. It’s a formula that will take you far.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was putting a camera in my hands at an early age. They had one of those big shoulder-mounted VHS camcorders, and they let me play with it, experiment, and film whatever sparked my interest. As I grew up, they continued to support my passion by getting me newer video cameras, which allowed me to refine my skills and truly fall in love with storytelling through film. That early encouragement set the foundation for everything I do today. They didn’t just give me a camera—they gave me the freedom to create, explore, and discover my passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dreamfreemedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamfree_media
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DreamFreeMedia/
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