Meet Lynn Tickner | Founder, Ink and Key

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynn Tickner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Back in 2015, I was doing freelance writing for a marketing firm and a financial services firm to make ends meet. I was also involved in helping businesses name their companies or products. I discovered I LOVED naming and was pretty good at it!

I decided I should build a simple website for my freelance writing, so I named my company Ink and Key and built the ugliest website you’ve ever seen!

As I continued my involvement in naming, I began noticing issues for clients and namers with some of the naming companies I was involved with and thought, “I can solve those problems!”

I developed a naming process to make things easier for clients and naming creatives.

I pulled together a few excellent namers and formed the original Ink and Key Naming Team. It wasn’t long before I brought on a web designer, web developer, and graphic designer because I found that naming clients needed brand strategy, brand messaging, visual brand development, a website, and of course, professional copywriting. With a strategically created sales funnel, we transformed our client websites into powerful marketing machines!

I found that I loved helping business owners in a strategic advisory role to help them uncover gaps and opportunities.

I started a successful company at age 49, so it’s never too late! I’m a fan of “Just Start.” There’s always going to be more to learn so why not learn by doing and learn from others who’ve gone before you?

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Here’s the little blurb I use on LinkedIn, and I think it’s a pretty accurate summary.

At Ink and Key, we connect you with your ideal customers through brand strategy, naming, and design. We use strategic advisory sprints and a story-driven approach to sharpen your message, tackle challenges, and reveal new ways to grow. Discover our full suite of creative agency services and start writing your success story today.

What sets us apart is that we’re a creative agency specializing in naming. Many marketing agencies do NOT want to deal with naming, so they send their clients to us for a name, and then we send them back! When it comes to other folks who do naming, what sets us apart is our process. I don’t know anyone else who does it like we do. I have an 18-person naming team and a fun collaborative process that clients love. They love it because it works but also because they learn a lot about their brand and their customer in the process. Now that we’ve been doing this for almost 8 years, and have completed over 500 naming projects, we get a lot of repeat customers, which is so rewarding for all of us. We help with the name, but then we help those clients turn the name into a thriving, growing brand through strategic advisory sprints and delivery of marketing assets.

I’m proud of our processes and what we’ve built here and have learned the value of gathering people around you who have gifts that you don’t. Systemizing everything possible has also been a game changer for us because it’s helped us set up clear expectations for clients and deliver consistent results.

Being a StoryBrand Certified Guide has been the icing on the cake because I’ve been able to use the power of story to help clients succeed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This happened last summer! A dear friend from Kansas came to stay with me, and I got some friends together and we did a food and drink tour through downtown Columbia. It was incredible.

We started our evening at Hall’s Chophouse for drinks and appetizers. We made our way to Liberty Tap Room and Grill, then to Boku Kitchen and Saloon, then to Gervais and Vine Wine and Tapas Bar.

If we’d had more time and more room in our bellies, we’d have stopped by The Grand on Main for bowling and drinks, Hendrix for the gorgeous rooftop bar views, and Savage Craft for some live music. Saturday morning recommendations are 100% Market on Main and then browsing at the Soda City Market.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lauren Apple is my go-to strategic advisor when it comes to business growth. She helped my business grow and has helped countless others through her business called Systems to Scale. They get your systems and processes set up and ready for a virtual assistant, then onboard and manage your perfect-fit VA for you! You can find her at https://systemstoscale.org.

I’d also love to dedicate this Shoutout to my entire naming team but especially to Lorin, Diana, and Kim, the first members of my naming team to believe in my dream of starting a company. They backed me up, gave of their time, talents, and advice, and encouraged me every step of the way, even when I didn’t deserve it. These three ladies are still part of the Ink and Key Naming Team today, almost 8 years later, and I’m proud to know them and forever grateful for their faith in Ink and Key.

Website: https://www.inkandkey.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkandkey/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-tickner/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InkandKey

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@inkandkey

Other: https://www.inkandkey.com/schedule-a-call