What is your name and occupation?
Jaclyn Ranere, Founder at Dovetail
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year.
What is your Instagram handle?
@meetatdovetail
What is your LinkedIn URL?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacran/
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
Yes, but I left about 16 years ago and just moved back in December to be closer to family.
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
I recently started my own business, Dovetail, as a way to connect people who are spending more time alone and want to meet new people through shared activities.
As my old boss used to say, my career has been more like a spider web than a straight line. After earning my film and TV degree from Boston University, I worked in film production in Los Angeles, then returned to Boston to start my own video production company serving bands. From there, I managed a band, moved to New York City to work in music marketing, then transitioned to overseeing marketing for a film, TV, and post-production company — and eventually became head of global brand marketing for a digital advertising firm.
Now, I’m excited to return to my entrepreneurial roots with Dovetail!
What would your clients say about you and your company?
Our first event took place just a month ago — and while I didn’t plan to launch in the middle of a pandemic, it’s been wonderful to see people surprised at how fun, engaging, and “friendship-inducing” an activity can be over Zoom.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Every journey starts with a single step.
What is your favorite book?
My most-referenced book right now is Meehan’s Bartender’s Manual. It’s both a cocktail history and recipe guide — perfect for mixing inspiration and fun!
What is your secret weapon?
Evernote. I’ve been using it for nearly a decade, and it’s invaluable for tracking notes, interviews, and ideas. I can think of the tiniest phrase from a meeting years ago and instantly retrieve it.
I keep a master list of interview questions that I continuously update — skill-based, personality-driven, and tailored to each role. It helps me evaluate candidates fairly and avoid bias, especially when growing a team quickly. Evernote keeps me structured, consistent, and organized — it’s an absolute lifesaver.
What is your most recent WIN? How are you slaying in your career or business?
I started collaborating with Meredith Jacobson, a fellow Boston Business Women member! She’s now managing Dovetail’s social media and influencer marketing strategy — an area where she shines and I knew I needed support.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Ask for help. The smartest, most effective people do — it’s a sign of strength and confidence, not weakness.
How do you enjoy your free time?
Playing with my 15-month-old nephews.
What is something that not many people know about you?
The two Post-its on my monitor read:
“DREAM BIG FIGHT HARD” — Elizabeth Warren
and
“The braver I am, the luckier I get.” — Glennon Doyle, Untamed