Empowering women entrepreneurs: Inspiring stories of Lynne and Jess
International Women's Day is a time to honour, uplift, and celebrate the achievements of women across the world. It seems only fitting to highlight some of the phenomenal women I’ve met since launching Sharp Thinking Marketing, all of which have made incredible strides in their industries. By sharing their inspiring journeys, I hope to encourage other women to pursue their aspirations, overcome challenges, and thrive in the world of business.
Today, I’m thrilled to celebrate two remarkable entrepreneurs—Lynne Meek, founder of The Meek Boutique, and Jess Gibson, the mastermind behind the TN card, both in my local business community of Kent.
Lynne – Founder of The Meek Boutique
When Lynne launched The Meek Boutique in the Summer of 2018, she did so with the firm belief that there was an underserved market for fashion catering to middle-aged women. She recognised early on that many clothing brands leaned either towards overly youthful trends or styles suited for an older demographic. Lynne saw an opportunity to create something in between—fashion-forward, elegant clothing for women who wanted to look sophisticated without dressing like their daughters or their mothers.
Her approach was as thoughtful as it was innovative. She quickly identified trousers as the staple piece many women felt was missing from their wardrobes. With care and attention, she perfected a range of styles that prioritised fit, comfort, and versatility.
The Meek Boutique’s success grew quickly. Just six months after opening, Lynne’s husband and two sons joined the business, a testament to the passion and dedication driving her vision. While they don’t operate out of a traditional retail shop, the boutique boasts a fabulous showroom by The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, complete with a stunning styling room. Here, women can try on clothes, browse accessories, and enjoy complimentary personal styling sessions with Lynne herself.
Lynne's philosophy extends far beyond selling clothes. With customers across the UK and worldwide, she’s built an incredibly loyal community of women who adore her pieces. Through phone and email consultations, she ensures styling support is accessible to everyone, no matter their location. Lynne credits her customers as a constant source of inspiration, saying, “Our customers are truly incredible. Their loyalty and enthusiasm drive everything we do.”
This personal touch, combined with exceptional quality and style, has earned The Meek Boutique a well-deserved place in the hearts of its clientele.
Jess – Founder of the TN card
Jess is the mastermind behind the TN card a unique initiative designed to support 1,000 local high street independent businesses through a creative reward programme. Her motivation came from her passion for championing small businesses and fostering community spirit.
Remarkably, Jess launched The TN card just a few months after conceiving the idea, balancing her vision with the demands of raising four children. Coming from a background in events and social media marketing, she created the card to promote mutual support within the local business community. Businesses that join the TN card offer exclusive offers within their means, while Jess ensures they receive dedicated promotion and visibility. It’s a win-win for everyone.
When the card launched just six weeks before the first COVID lockdown, Jess pivoted quickly, using the opportunity to support vulnerable community members and do what she could to help keep local businesses afloat. Her ability to adapt during such a challenging time built immense trust and loyalty among cardholders and businesses alike.
The TN card isn’t just a business; it’s a social enterprise. An advocate for mental health awareness, Jess partnered with West Kent Mind, a charity that reflects both her personal experiences and commitment to motherhood. Jess is on a mission to get more local employers behind the TN card so they can give it to their staff. She knows that this is the key to getting more local people shopping locally. You can find more about it here.
Jess is a true inspiration that manages to balance work but sometimes the constant school runs and juggling meetings and events can be tough, as so many of us can relate to.
Despite these hurdles, her genuine and personal approach remains a defining strength of The TN card, setting it apart from a purely corporate-driven model.
When it comes to advice for women starting a business, Jess emphasises the importance of taking small steps and taking action rather than waiting for perfection. She believes adaptability and authenticity are key to long-term success.
You can listen to the full interview with Jess here.
Learning from women who inspire
Women like Lynne and Jess represent the limitless possibilities of women’s leadership and entrepreneurship. They embody the traits needed to succeed in business—innovation, resilience, and a deep connection to their community of customers and supporters.
Their stories remind us that no dream is too ambitious and no challenge insurmountable. Lynne and Jess are true models to all of us and I deeply admire them both and love to have a chat with them when I bump into them in our local business community. Thank to Jess and Lynne for sharing their stories. You can connect with Jess here and Lynne here.
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