( Coach Jackie) Jacqueline Rambin shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning ( Coach Jackie) Jacqueline, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is most important to me. Intelligence and energy can open doors, but integrity determines how you show up when no one is watching. It’s the foundation of trust, leadership, and lasting relationships. In my line of work—serving communities, coaching entrepreneurs, and creating pathways to success for underrepresented groups—people depend on my word and my character. Integrity means following through on commitments, being transparent, and holding myself accountable. It’s what builds credibility and sustains impact over time. Without integrity, intelligence and energy can easily become misguided. But when integrity leads, everything else aligns.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jacqueline Rambin, also known as Coach Jackie, and I am the founder of The Prestigious Professional, a community-based workforce development and small business consulting firm based in Minnesota. Our mission is to bridge economic and opportunity gaps for underrepresented communities by providing culturally responsive employment services, small business coaching, and professional development training.
What makes The Prestigious Professional unique is our hands-on, holistic approach to empowerment. We don’t just help individuals find jobs—we help them discover purpose, build confidence, and design sustainable career and business paths. We serve youth, adults, veterans, and entrepreneurs by equipping them with tools to compete in today’s workforce while honoring their personal stories and cultural identities.
My journey started with a passion for helping people recognize their potential and walk boldly in their gifts. Over the years, I’ve worked alongside state agencies, schools, and community partners to develop programs that change lives. I currently serve as the Army Reserve Employment Specialist for Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and was recently appointed to Governor Tim Walz’s Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneurship Board, where I help shape equitable pathways for small business owners.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding our partnerships with state and county agencies to offer more workforce readiness training and small business support, as well as launching new programs through my nonprofit, Black House Alliance, which uplifts and empowers the Black community through education, economic growth, and cultural grounding.
At the heart of everything I do is purpose—creating access, opportunity, and transformation for people who deserve to win.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It was truly an eye-opening, life-changing experience because it helped me understand how people are socialized into society and how deeply inequalities and systemic barriers impact their opportunities. Learning about the historical roots of these challenges gave me a new perspective on justice, empathy, and the power of advocacy.
Another defining moment for me was starting my business in 2021. Entrepreneurship taught me discipline, self-belief, and resilience in ways I had never experienced before. It showed me that empowerment isn’t just about achieving personal success—it’s about using your gifts and experiences to create opportunities for others. Both experiences together shaped the way I view my purpose today: to build systems, programs, and spaces that help people overcome barriers and realize their full potential.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, I’ve never really thought about giving up on my dreams. For me, giving up has always felt like the easiest option—and I’ve never been someone who chooses easy. I believe in persistence, even when the path gets difficult. Life and business will always have challenges, but I’ve learned to view those moments as opportunities for transition and redirection rather than defeat.
There have been times when things didn’t go as planned—contracts fell through, funding didn’t come on time, or personal circumstances made the journey heavy—but instead of quitting, I paused to ask myself, What is this teaching me? What can I do better? What direction should I go next? That mindset keeps me grounded and helps me grow through every season.
My resilience comes from faith, purpose, and the belief that every obstacle carries a lesson. I’ve learned that persistence, adaptability, and a positive mindset are the keys to turning setbacks into steppingstones. It’s not about never struggling—it’s about never staying down when life challenges you to rise higher.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people get it wrong today by believing that success is only measured by titles, income, or visibility. Intelligence alone doesn’t create impact—emotional intelligence, humility, and compassion do. Too often, people chase perfection instead of purpose, or strategy without empathy.
What’s missing is a human-centered approach. We need more leaders who listen, who serve, and who understand the value of people over position. I’ve learned that true wisdom isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you use what you know to uplift others. Smart people sometimes forget that knowledge without integrity and love doesn’t change lives; it only feeds ego.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was a woman who showed up with purpose and left light everywhere she went. That I used my voice, my faith, and my platform to empower others to believe in themselves and to create opportunities where there once were none.
I want people to remember me as someone who stood for integrity, love, and justice—who poured into her community, her family, and her people with intention. That I didn’t just talk about change, but I helped build it.
Ultimately, I want my story to be one of impact—that I helped others see their worth, walk in their calling, and build something lasting for the next generation. If that’s what people remember about me, then I’ve done my job on this earth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theprestigiousprofessional.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjackiee
- Linkedin: Jacqueline Gorgeous Rambin
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
