Today we’d like to introduce you to Parmie Dean.
Hi Parmie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Parmie Dean, and I am a founder of FYRE Timing Systems LLC. I was born and raised in Miami and got my high school diploma from Miami’s Mega Magnet, Coral Reef Senior High School. I went off to college in the small town of Staunton, Virginia to participate in the only all-female cadet corps, VWIL (Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership). This is where the first spark of FYRE Timing Systems began. At the time, I wouldn’t have considered myself an entrepreneur, but I had a passion for technology, creativity, and making people feel seen. At multiple events and parties, I felt joy when receiving personalized gifts, and I knew I wanted to create experiences that brought others that same happiness. That dream led me first to launch a small unofficial art business. Then I became an art teacher, where I discovered the joy of helping students achieve their potential. Each step reinforced my belief in the power of creating lasting memories.
My vision evolved when I was introduced to coach and mentor Crystal Jenkins, who introduced me to the track and field world. Though I wasn’t initially interested in sports, I found purpose in coaching my track team and saw the excitement that personalized merchandise brought to athletes. In my second year, I recognized a major gap in the sports community: many smaller track and field events lacked reliable timing systems. This realization was the spark that launched FYRE Timing Systems LLC, with a mission to provide accurate, affordable, and accessible timing for athletic events.
FYRE Timing Systems stands out by blending precision technology with personalized experiences. At our events, athletes and supporters can purchase customized merchandise—shirts, bottles, or commemorative items—created on-site to celebrate their achievements. The joy on participants’ faces as they receive these keepsakes has been both fulfilling and inspiring, reinforcing my belief that sports experiences should be about more than competition; they should also create lasting memories.
Now, we are ready to scale. With access to professional-grade equipment, FYRE Timing Systems has been able to host a wider range of events, ensure reliable results, and expand our on-site customization offerings.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first started out, I had little experience running a business. My first venture, a caricature/commission art business, quickly showed me how challenging it was to manage advertising, raise funds, and build a sustainable model. I pivoted to teaching, hoping to make positive relationships and an impact on the next generation. As much as I loved my students and made an impression on those students who were open, I eventually had to make the difficult decision to leave the classroom. While stepping away from teaching was hard, it also gave me the space to pursue FYRE Timing Systems more intentionally.
Another challenge came when I entered the sports world. I didn’t have an extensive background in the way athletics was run in Miami, so I had to learn quickly—about coaching styles, about the needs of athletes and about the technical side of timing systems. On top of that, gaining access to reliable, professional-grade equipment has been a major hurdle. Without it, we’ve had to be creative and resourceful to deliver services, often stretching what we had far beyond its intended use.
Balancing time has also been a struggle. Shifting careers while growing this business has meant constantly learning, adapting, and making sacrifices. There have been moments of doubt, adverse influence, and setbacks along the way, but every obstacle has taught me resilience and pushed me to think outside the box.
In the end, these struggles have shaped the foundation of FYRE Timing Systems. They’ve given me the determination to keep building, the empathy to connect with others, and the vision to create something that’s not just a service, but an experience that brings joy and lasting memories.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is rooted in creativity, connection, and creating memorable experiences. I hold a degree in Studio Art and Psychology, with a specialization in printmaking. For my senior thesis, I was inspired by an artist who carved their images into shipping pallets, which pushed me to explore how art could transform everyday objects into something personal and meaningful. That idea—turning the ordinary into something extraordinary—has continued to guide everything I do.
Today, I bring that same creative mindset to FYRE Timing Systems LLC. I’m proud that we’ve been able to merge sports and art in a way that celebrates people’s achievements on multiple levels.
I’m most proud of the impact we’ve already made at events. Seeing athletes and their families light up when they receive a personalized item created just for them reminds me of why I started this journey. It’s not just about timing a race—it’s about helping people feel seen, celebrated, and valued.
What truly sets me apart is my background. Coming from both art, discipline, and education, I approach business with creativity, empathy, and a deep commitment to building experiences that last. My goal has always been to make people smile, and with FYRE Timing Systems, I get to do that every day—whether it’s through accurate results that honor an athlete’s hard work or through a customized keepsake they can treasure forever.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t really believe in luck—I believe everything happens for a reason. Still, I recognize that key people and experiences have shaped my journey in powerful ways. I come from a family of trailblazers—lawyers, military officers, doctors, and more. My grandparents are especially influential in Miami, breaking barriers as leaders and teaching me to be excellent without excuses. Growing up surrounded by that legacy instilled in me a responsibility to make an impact in my own way.
A very pivotal moment in my life and in the life of this business was meeting Crystal Jenkins, my mentor. We crossed paths by what some might call chance, but I see it as something that was meant to happen. She introduced me to the world of track and field in Miami and showed me how I could merge my passion for creating memorable experiences with the discipline and community of athletics. Her mentorship gave me the motivation and confidence to step fully into this business and embrace its greater potential.
I believe that everything I’ve experienced—the foundation laid by my family and the guidance of mentors like Crystal—has prepared me for this path. It hasn’t been about luck, but about purpose, alignment, and being ready to recognize opportunities when they appear. Together, those experiences have shaped and will continue to shape FYRE Timing Systems.
Pricing:
- Standard Timing Price $600/day
- Merchandise Starting as low as $2
- 50% fundraiser profit for organizations
- Affordable On-Site Merchandise
- Logo/Image/T-shirt Design as low as $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/fyretimingsystemsllc/home
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fyretimingsystemsllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571941636247
- Other: fyretimingsystems@gmail.com
