Meet Jahleane, a Brooklyn-based speaker, certified coach, content creator, and founder of The Postgrad Playbook. Jahleane helps twentysomethings navigate career changes and release subconscious blocks to transition from feeling stuck to living a life in alignment. Her journey began at UCSB, where she shared the realities of being a modern twenty-something online. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while working a misaligned job, Jahleane realized the challenges of being a postgrad with big dreams but unclear direction.

Taking a leap of faith, Jahleane reprogrammed her mindset, shedding negative emotions and beliefs. This shift led her to pursue entrepreneurship full-time with The Postgrad Playbook. At The Postgrad Playbook, Jahleane helps young adults in careers that don’t align with their purpose, supporting them in releasing subconscious blocks and taking action toward their dreams.

Discover how Jahleane transformed her 9-to-5 life into a thriving entrepreneurial journey, and explore the challenges, lessons, and advice she offers aspiring young entrepreneurs.

Table Of Contents:

• About Jahleane
• Jahleane’s Sales and Corporate Job Journey
• Pivoting Into Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurial Challenges & Lessons Learned
• Navigating Limiting Beliefs & Staying Grounded
• Advice for Gen Z Entrepreneurs
• Connect with Jahleane

About Jahleane  

TL;DR Version: 

• Jahleane is a first-generation American and the daughter of Haitian immigrants.

• She attended UC Santa Barbara and originally majored in biology, but after an unexpected ACL tear, pivoted into business. 

• Her most important core values are integrity, authenticity, and always doing her best. 

Q: Where are you from? 

I’m New York-born and Southern California-raised. I’m now back in Brooklyn, NY, and have been here for three years. 

Q: Tell us about yourself. 

I’m a first-generation American and a daughter of Haitian immigrants. For college, I attended UC Santa Barbara, where I was a cheerleader and worked as a tour guide. 

I majored in biology there, partly influenced by my upbringing and ideas of what success looked like—something I believe many immigrant children can relate to. Success at the time meant becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, so I chose the doctor route. 

[Jahleane graduating from UCSB]

That changed after I unexpectedly tore my ACL at cheer practice. This definitely made me slow down and self-reflect on what I actually wanted for myself, which, after time, I realized was more business than biology, so I pivoted. Before graduating, I landed an internship in a management training program that taught me the basics of sales, marketing, and customer success. 

A series of events and another ACL tear right before graduation led to my moving out of California and back home after walking the stage. Thankfully, my internship converted to a full-time job where I could continue my learning!

Q: What are your core values? 

Authenticity comes to mind for me. I find that when you’re not authentic, things go wrong. 

Integrity is everything, though. It is important to stay true to myself and my moral compass. This means doing business with good people who are aligned with me.

Also, I always do my best to try my best. If I know I gave it my all, and it didn’t work out, I am fine and accept that. But if I know I didn’t try my best, I have a problem. I don’t have to be the best in the world, but if I give whatever it is my best effort, that’s good enough. 

Jahleane’s Sales and Corporate Job Journey 

TL;DR Version: 

• After graduating college, Jahleane went full-time into Enterprise’s management training program. 

• After a year at Enterprise, she decided to pivot to new opportunities and spent six months applying for jobs during the pandemic. 

• She began her content creation journey by starting a blog and her TikTok account, which now has over 34,000+ followers (and counting!) 

• Shortly after, Jahleane landed her first corporate job at Pavilion and moved to NYC. 

Q: Can you tell us more about your experience in sales and business development at Enterprise? 

After college, I went full-time into Enterprise’s management training program. During that time, I worked my way up the ranks fast, all the way to Assistant Branch Manager at one of the largest locations in the state. But within that year, I realized that I’d learned all I could for that stage of my professional journey and that the skills and experiences aligned with how I wanted the rest of my career to play out would have to be elsewhere. 

It was a very difficult decision to pivot – especially since it was COVID times and the job market was uncertain, but I made the jump!

Q: What was your next move after leaving? 

I applied to jobs for six months only to experience rejection after rejection. This was during the pandemic, so I did what everyone else was doing: I scrolled through TikTok and read personal development books in my downtime. 

I realized that while I wanted to work in a corporate setting, and since I didn’t graduate with a business degree, I needed to gain some experience. So, I started a blog and created content on TikTok so that I could learn about lead generation, SEO, and more. 

My TikTok ended up taking off, and one of my videos went viral, growing my account to 20,000+ followers in what seems like overnight. 

[Jahleane’s TikTok (@Jahleane)]

There were so many career gurus on my FYP who emphasized the importance of optimizing your LinkedIn profile to land a job. So I found a $20 LinkedIn optimization course, and just 3 weeks later after applying everything I learned, I landed my job at Pavilion. 

Q: Talk more about working your first corporate job at Pavilion.  

Pavilion was a great experience. I learned how to sell, specifically B2B sales, and how to connect with people. I worked with the world’s top go-to-market leaders and met executives and mentors who supported me. 

[Pavilion Team Photo] 

It allowed me to move to NYC and build relationships and a community while working there. 

Pivoting Into Entrepreneurship

TL;DR Version: 

• Jahleane always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur and was figuring out “how” to pursue it full-time.

• During her time at Pavilion, she began connecting with herself to dispel her limiting beliefs regarding entrepreneurship. 

• The idea for The Postgrad Playbook came to Jahleane during a business conference, and she spent her non-work hours teaching herself digital marketing and solopreneurship. 

• In March 2023, she was laid off and decided to go all in on The Postgrad Playbook. 

Q: When did you know you wanted to pursue entrepreneurship instead of staying at your corporate job? 

I always knew I’d be an entrepreneur. Shortly after moving to NYC, I made friends and connections with creatives and other business owners who were doing awesome work. 

So, I started exploring entrepreneurship more seriously to figure out how to pursue it full-time. I knew I would make the jump one day, but I didn’t know exactly “how.” 

For the rest of the year, I started connecting with myself. I got a life coach/ somatic practitioner to help me connect and dispel any limiting beliefs about entrepreneurship, which I now do as well in the form of coaching through The Postgrad Playbook. 

I also found myself in more rooms aligned with my vision during this time. For example, LinkedIn invited me to CultureCon as part of their creators program. There I was in rooms filled with ambitious publicists, photographers, and creatives – all in one place. 

[Jahleane attending CultureCon presented by HBO Max]

This was a pivotal and inspirational moment because I’d never been in rooms like that since my professional background was mostly tech-focused.

Q: Did this lead to creating your now-business, The Postgrad Playbook? 

Yes. Soon after Culture Con, while at a business conference, I got the idea for The Postgrad Playbook, even though many of the ideas and foundations of the business had yet to percolate.

By this time, it felt like I was working two jobs—using my weekends to create content, learn about SEO, study digital marketing, sales, and solopreneurship. Then, fast-forward to March 2023, out of nowhere, my whole team was laid off. 

It was a jarring experience because I’d never been laid off before, and during my time there, I was a top performer. But a part of me felt a sense of peace and knew that this was a sign from God telling me that I was meant to pursue what would eventually be The Postgrad Playbook full-time. Also, the job market was so competitive, and I needed a break from corporate anyway, so I went all in. 

[The launch of The Postgrad Playbook (2023)]

Entrepreneurial Challenges & Lessons Learned 

TL;DR Version: 

• It’s important to clearly define what you’re creating and make sure that your target audience understands it. 

• Find a mentor who will help you build your business and identify your blind spots. 

• As an entrepreneur, be prepared not to receive immediate external validation and to navigate mental blocks on your journey. 

Q: What key lessons have you learned on your entrepreneurial journey? 

I’ve learned so many lessons, and it’s interesting because some of the lessons I learned from my corporate job now apply to operating my business but on a different level. 

The first is to clearly define what you are creating and make sure that it is quickly understood by people or your target audience.  One of the phrases we used to say at my past job was “listen closely, act quickly” and I’ve learned about this through pitching my product and observing how people respond to my elevator pitch. I always ask myself if people understand what I’m pitching them. If not, I make adjustments quickly and keep going. Overall, you must know how to pivot quickly and accept when you might be wrong about something. 

Second, I’d say finding a mentor is important, especially if you’re a solopreneur. I have older and more experienced mentors who are not only helping me build my business but are also making me aware of my blind spots. 

Lastly, you’ll always be faced with many opinions. Stand firm on your vision but also be open to feedback and suggestions. Learn to pivot, take action, and bring your ideas to life in the best possible way. 

Q: What challenges have you faced on your entrepreneurial journey? 

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that there is no immediate validation, and you must go through rejections to figure out what works and what doesn’t. You must be incredibly resilient and be okay with not receiving instant gratification. 

[Jahleane at TikTok’s Women History Month Brunch (2023)]

Also, you have to be okay with the fact that the people in your inner circle might not be your target audience and that’s okay. 

Lastly, mental blocks are also a challenge on their own. You have to get into the habit of silencing your inner critic, which is a big reason why I teach about mindset as a coach and in The Postgrad Playbook so that my community has the resources to deal with mental blocks head-on. 

Q: What does entrepreneurship mean to you?

To me, entrepreneurship means creating a life I love by helping and serving others. It’s living my most authentic life and actively creating in ways that align with my highest vision and would help society the most. 

[Jahleane speaking to students about early career and pivoting at the National Sales Network Student Conference]

All in all, it’s about helping people around me. That’s the best way I can describe it. 

Navigating Limiting Beliefs & Staying Grounded

TL;DR Version: 

• Navigating limiting beliefs is a constant journey of learning and unlearning. 

• Visualizations, sleep affirmations, EFT tapping, meditations, and hypnotherapy are great for grounding yourself and transforming your mindset. 

Q: How has it been navigating limiting beliefs and evolving your mindset? 

It’s a constant journey of continuous learning and unlearning. 

As you know, the subconscious mind is formed from ages 0 to 7. Every experience during those years impacts who you are. 

Limiting beliefs definitely came up when it came to charging my rates for my services. It’s interesting because when I worked in my sales job, it was easy to pitch someone else’s rates, but when it comes to your business, you have to embody a different level of confidence and remain firm. So I’m always actively working on my money mindset. 

I love doing EFT tapping because it decreases stress and tension around memories, especially money and finances. 

Somatic movement practices are also amazing and very, very important. They involve staying present in your body and letting go of the physical blocks you feel. 

There’s never enough work to be done; it’s an ongoing process. Healing and overcoming your limiting beliefs isn’t a one-stop shop or a linear journey. 

Q: What are your common practices for staying grounded within yourself? 

Visualizations, sleep affirmations, grounding meditations, EFT tapping, and hypnotherapy. 

I love Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work, and the shifts that happen once I do visualizations are crazy! Grounding meditations are fantastic for staying within yourself. Oftentimes, people don’t realize that they are operating in a false sense of self, and meditations can help bring you back to your truth. 

When I meditate, I feel so much better and more present. It helps me tap into my intuitive nature, which is something that we all have. 

Advice for Gen Z Entrepreneurs 

TL;DR Version: 

• If you want to create a business but don’t know where to start, think about what the past version of yourself needed in this world, and explore that. 

• The best advice on finding a mentor is to (1) ensure your relationship is clearly defined and (2) ensure you and your mentor have chemistry. 

• Post on social media to engage with people and learn about your community’s needs.

Q: What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur who wants to start a business or venture but doesn’t know where or how to start?

Consider what a past version of yourself needed in this world, even if it’s the smallest thing, and explore what creating that would look like.  

Also, explore what’s out there! Go on TikTok, find people who inspire you, and observe them. There’s a clue because you find them inspiring for a reason you should explore. 

Now, I’m not saying to compare yourself to them (in a negative way) but be curious about why you’re inspired by them and see where that leads you. During this process, you might find buried dreams that may lead you to business ideas. 

Q: Do you have tips on how a young entrepreneur can find a mentor?  

Yes. Firstly, ensure your relationship with your mentor is clearly defined before entering into a mentee-mentor relationship. That’s number one. 

Also, make sure you and your mentor have chemistry. For it to really work, the vibes need to be good, and there needs to be a genuine connection. 

Personally, I went through SCORE New York to find my mentor. My mentors are all senior executives and they help me grow my business. We have structured, well-defined meetings and you can have different mentors depending on your business needs. 

[SCORE website]

Figure out what it is that you’re looking for. Here are some questions you should ask yourself: 

Do you want to meet with someone on a weekly basis or monthly? What stage of your business are you at? How can a mentor help you reach the next level in your business? 

I also want to add that you need to know the difference between a mentor and a sponsor. 

A sponsor is someone who will introduce you to opportunities and speak your name in rooms you’re not in. Conversely, a mentor will focus solely on working closely with you to advise and support you. 

Q: Do you have any favorite books or podcasts? 

My all-time favorite book is More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth, the former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. In it, Welteroth documents her whole journey throughout her 20s, and it feels like you’re right there with her. I definitely recommend this book for women of color and any other big dreamers. 

I’ve also been listening to the Girls That Invest podcast. I love their weekly series, Girls That Startup, which dives into different areas of entrepreneurship. 

Q: Do you have any tools gen z entrepreneurs should use when in the beginning stage of their entrepreneurship journey? 

I’d say the biggest thing is just posting on social media, especially in the beginning stages. Look at TikTok and LinkedIn, and start posting. Social media is a powerful tool that offers many opportunities to meet other people and learn what your community needs. 

Connect with Jahleane 

You can find Jahleane on LinkedIn, Instagram (@Jahleane), and TikTok (@Jahleane). 

Are you interested in 1-on-1 coaching with Jahleane or booking her to speak at your next event? You can reach out directly through the Post Grad Playbook website here. 

Get Featured On Gen Z Acts 

Do you know a young entrepreneur (ages 12-27) who would like to share their entrepreneurial journey and business with Gen Z Acts? We’re always looking for inspiring stories to feature on Gen Z Acts. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact us at alan@genzacts.com. You can also refer an entrepreneur founder/CEO to us.

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DISCLAIMER: This article is written in the voice of Jahleane Dolne. The conversation and answers are based on Jahleane’s actual responses and have been edited in collaboration with her to reflect her authentic voice and experiences.