Charly Gillespie-Smith

Chief Executive and Founder , Lasting Lemons

Charly Gillespie-Smith, chief executive and founder at Lasting Lemons, has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial acumen by capitalising on the success of her transformative work at Little Moons. Her TikTok strategy has catapulted the brand to national prominence and a 1300% surge in Tesco sales. Building on this momentum, she established Lasting Lemons, a social-first creative agency that achieved 80% revenue growth from 2022 to 2024, collaborating with renowned brands such as Chilly's, Itsu, HelloFresh, and Rimmel. Her campaigns, including the viral launch for Itsu soup dumplings, have consistently delivered measurable commercial impact and industry recognition. Beyond commercial success, Gillespie-Smith has shaped an inclusive, empowering company culture at Lasting Lemons, forgoing traditional hierarchies in favour of authenticity and empathy. She introduced progressive initiatives such as monthly team experiences, wellness hours, and open discussions on mental health and neurodiversity. Her advocacy for women in business and neurodivergent leadership set a new standard for workplace wellbeing and inclusivity, positioning her as a role model for the next generation. Feedback from senior clients and peers highlighted Gillespie-Smith's fearless creativity, strategic vision, and ability to deliver standout results, regardless of project scale. She was lauded for her originality and her intuitive understanding of social media, with one collaborator remarking that she “turns even the smallest budgets into viral campaigns”. 


Quote:
"Through Charly's initiatives and dedication, [Lasting Lemons] are actively reshaping the media landscape and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps."