Jolene McGowan, founder and Principal of Matchstick Communications, lives and works from the center of Portland, Maine. 

Before starting her own communications business, Jolene worked as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Jill McGowan, Inc., a family owned apparel design business in Portland, where she helped the company expand its reach from 4 boutiques in New England to 200 specialty stores throughout the United States. During Jolene's tenure with the company, Jill McGowan was a guest designer on Martha Stewart TV and appeared in local and national media. Jolene led the effort to increase online sales by championing the launch of the company's first website and subsequently directing a successful social media retail marketing campaign. In 2010, Jill McGowan, Inc. opened their flagship store in Freeport, Maine.

Before all that, Jolene worked for L.L. Bean, Inc. as a Public Relations representative. While at L.L. Bean, Jolene helped transition the public relations efforts from external services to an in-house team. During that time, L.L. Bean launched the ready-to-wear women's label Freeport Studio and Jolene guided its product placement in television and print media. Jolene also assisted in managing the company's non-profit giving program and led L.L. Bean's educational grants program.

Jolene lives in Portland with her husband, Tom and their dog Millie and — sometimes home — daughter, Flannery.