This project will be moving to www.thejacquelineproject.com September 18, 2024. 

The goal of The Jacqueline Project is to find businesswomen and help them tell their stories, inspire other women, and give them the recognition for their leadership and courageousness in business that they deserve. 

We seek to be a resource to all women in business by providing them with marketing advice, grant opportunities, continuing education, and a network of likeminded women.

Full website coming soon!

When I entered the workforce, I had a boss who defined leadership by kicking off her high-heeled shoes. That one little act set the bar of expectation for every boss I had after her and has been the measuring rod I’ve placed myself against and aspired to be in every position held since.

I was a clerk whose “office” was a room of rolling storage shelves and a warehouse full of hospital files. Every so often, I had to pull boxes of old billing files from the warehouse for a shredding company to destroy. That day at the warehouse was hot. There was no air conditioning, and I was climbing ladders to drop file boxes from where they were stacked, only to climb down and heft them to the shredding truck.

My boss had her own office, always wore skirts and heels, and rarely smiled. That day, after seeing me struggle, she removed her heels and pantyhose and began carrying boxes and climbing ladders alongside me. We talked and laughed while we worked. That was a defining moment in my life, and a valuable lesson about leadership for a young mind to learn.

Recently, I watched a character named Jacqueline who, like my former boss, has a strong, professional presence. She empowers her employees to strengthen their weaknesses and learn accountability. She encourages them in the pursuit of their dreams. She offers them respect and supports their decisions even when she speculates they may be making mistakes. She’s fictional, but she’s everything a mentor should be.

I've been in business for myself for nearly 20 years, and have been fortunate enough to have had many successful mentors along the way. They're amazing women with amazing stories of overcoming struggles in the business world and in their own lives. Through creating TJP, not only will I get to hear more of those stories from you, I'll have the honor of sharing them with the world and creating a magical network of powerful females who can accomplish anything together.

I hope you'll join me in honoring the women in our lives who have been courageous enough to enter the business world and pursue their dreams! Fill out the form above to nominate someone for a feature and to receive updates. 

- Sabrina Wagganer