WOMENINBUSINESS
inside THE BUSINESS :
GAIL THOMAS : IN THE COUNTRY
BEYOND THE GLASS CEILING ...
OFFERING A PLETHORA OF OUTDOOR CLOTHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY , PLUS SHOOTING ACCESSORIES , LEATHER GOODS , DOG TRAINING EQUIPMENT AND MUCH MORE , IN THE COUNTRY , LED BY GAIL THOMAS AND HER LOVELY TEAM , IS BASED IN BADLESMERE , A FEW MILES FROM LENHAM ON THE ASHFORD ROAD .
Gail ’ s journey to being involved in the thriving business is one of twists of redundancy and pub lunch fate …
Gail explains : “ I live at Eastwell Park , where my partner is the head keeper . Originally I was working for a national house builder selling houses but took voluntary redundancy .”
“ Enjoying a brief period of being a lady of leisure , I popped into a local shop , Kent Wool Growers , for a pair of Wellington boots . Whilst there trying on boots , I chatted to the assistant who told me he had just got himself a new job and would be leaving . He then mentioned that they hadn ’ t filled the vacancy and that the job would be perfect for me ! And so I ended up working for Kent Wool Growers for seven years . It was a great place , very interesting and with great customers , fantastic characters and never a dull moment .”
During her time at Kent Wool Growers , Gail learnt not only all about clothing and footwear but , most importantly , about good customer service too . Leading to the realisation that the time may be right for her to go it alone .
Chatting to a friend while having lunch in her local , she mentioned that she might like to go it alone and open her own shop . Her friend immediately told her about a possible premise , just a few miles away from home !
Gail continues : “ The very next morning I viewed and secured it straight away . So started the ‘ In The Country ’ venture here in Badlesmere . Over the years I have added to the stock and am proud to say , I offer a fantastic range of clothing , footwear and accessories for men , women and children – oh ! And mustn ’ t forget the dogs !”
“ The shop has been open for nearly nine years now and I can honestly say it was the best decision I have made and have never regretted it for a moment .”
In The Country is situated just off the A251 in Badlesmere within the Saddlesdane complex . Open Wednesday to Sundays 10am - 4pm , it is an authorised stockists of Deerhunter , PERCUSSION , Alan Paine , LAKSEN , Pinewood , HOGGS , Redback , ARIAT , and Treksta , along with a huge range of footwear and country clothing held in stock .
www . inthecountrykent . co . uk
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