From Student-Athlete to Startup Founder

After LED strips gone wrong, Jaylen Coleman has made quite the name for himself, turning a mistake into a successful career.

While playing football at Duke University, Coleman balanced school with sports and earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering.

Like many undergraduate students, Coleman and his roommates put up LED strips around his apartment for decoration. However, when it was time to take them down, the strips damaged the walls, prompting Coleman to create his own LED business as a full-time student-athlete.

“Entrepreneurship is awesome,” Coleman said. “I think it gives you a lot of freedom to do what you really want, and I think that’s one of the greatest things about our generation—everyone has a side hustle; everyone’s trying to create.”

Coleman was able to use his engineering degree to establish his startup, as the program helped him develop necessary leadership and communication skills, and learn how to work with diverse groups of people. Introductory requirement classes like EGR 101 that he took was his first introduction to 3D printing, which he uses now with his business.

Today, Coleman has created LED signs all across Duke’s campus. From the first signs in Wilson and Brodie Recreation Centers, to now the Bryan Center, Brodhead Center, and Duke sports facilities for the basketball and football teams.

Although he has already acquired his LLC, Coleman said that influential graduate professors like Seth Watkins served as tremendous mentors, helping him choose the best lawyer for his business endeavors and take other important first steps.

This community help has continued to be strong even outside of the program.

“They’ve been super supportive,” Coleman said. “Anytime I’ve reached back to some of my old professors needing someone to talk to, they are available for me and know exactly who else I need to message or contact.”

Currently, Coleman works full-time with Duke’s football team, gathering and centralizing data to help players better their performance.

Coleman appreciates the foundation, connections, and community that Duke Engineering has given him over the years, which he knows will help him achieve great accomplishments. He is also tremendously thankful for the support from his family and friends throughout his career. N

Zoe Sinclair is a Pratt Marketing and Communications intern who is studying Journalism at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.