TKEQ Cover Story

COVER FEATURE

Kaelyn Kennedy Kaelyn Kennedy, founder of TKEQ Equestrian Lifestyle Apparel, is a prime testimony that entrepreneurship is not necessarily defined by how many years you’ve been on this planet.

Kaelyn demonstrates that the true essence of entrepreneurship belongs to the youth who can bring a fresh take to the table and have the most to gain from improving the world around them.

At just 17 years old, Kaelyn noticed a gap in the equestrian apparel market, realizing that most equestrians were wearing popular athletic wear designed for runners rather than athletic wear optimized for equestrian athletes. As a lifelong equestrian herself and an avid competitor, combining her love of fashion and horses towards an entrepreneurial business within a sport allowed her to pursue the life she desired.

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Kaelyn, now 22 years old, has driven the rise of TKEQ to become a multi-million-dollar brand with over 40 retail stores across the United States, Canada, Germany and Australia. Her connection with fans has amassed 37,000+ followers on Instagram. Kaelyn hopes her messaging can be inspirational to young aspiring entrepreneurs - she believes that anyone is old enough to start their own business when backed with a clear vision and determination to make it a reality.

Building an Empire from the ground up

So many successful entrepreneurial ventures have been formed by focusing on a fundamental need that customers have or identifying a gap in the market that the masses are yearning for by creating a business that provides excellent products and services.

With social media providing aspiring entrepreneurs access to various markets and an opportunity to connect and build genuine relationships with their clientele, a simple "like" comment, message, or photo or video sharing has proven a fast and effective way to interact with a possible client and build a business empire from the ground up. For Kaelyn, she has demonstrated what the power of social media, especially Instagram, can yield when met with a relentless desire to succeed. While Kaelyn's rise may seem like an overnight success to some, it did not come without its share of challenges along the way.

For any aspiring entrepreneurs, once the word gets out of your ambitions, chances are you'll be swiftly met by a wave of resistance and doubters ready to slow your ideas down or halt them altogether. While this is the trial and tribulation stage that deters most aspiring entrepreneurs early on, for Kaelyn, it was a blessing in disguise. Despite the naysayers and detractors second-guessing her because of her young age, Kaelyn rode the wave, focusing her energies on cultivating her defiance and began feeling comfortable standing up for her vision and, in turn, gained respect from those that deterred her the most.

Legacy and the Future

Fast forward to today, TKEQ attire can now be found at many showgrounds such as the Winter Equestrian Festival (Wellington, Florida) and the Desert International Horse Park (Thermal, California). What makes TKEQ The Shop's collection of equestrian attire stand out from the crowd is its mission to promote selfownership, empowerment, and pride through its confidence focused designs. While in the past, many riders would be found in everyday athletic wear, which may be ideal for gym and yoga, but did not cover the demands of the wear and tear that the average equestrian athlete endures. With its four-way stretch, UV protection, and ideal arm and body length for more comfortable wear, TKEQ The Shop’s diverse range covers all the equestrian attire essentials. From outerwear, athletics, sweaters, and accessories that are perfect for competition or casual use, TKEQ has it all.

Since its first Equestrian Athletics line launch in 2019, TKEQ The Shop's business direction has changed drastically. To begin with, the site sold out immediately, and since then, it has never looked back. While most equestrian sports may have a finishing line, it's safe to say there is no end in sight to TKEQ The Shop's success with Kaelyn leading the reins.