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Jackie Lightner has always believed that women, in particular, have a real need for connection and community. That’s why, when she started her therapy practice in 2021, she decided to offer group therapy and workshops specifically for women. Every time one of her workshop events was held, it would sell out. That’s when Jackie realized there was an even bigger need for the services she was providing. So, she started to think about opening a brick-and-mortar business. In the fall of 2023, she opened Lightwork Therapy & Recovery in Woburn and is in the process of opening her second location.
“I think the biggest challenge with opening a business is the stress that comes with it,”
Jackie explained. “There’s a lot to do, a lot to learn, and a lot to plan out and it all needs to come together at the same time. Setting up banking services and making sure we had all of those financial tools at our disposal was really important. My business partners and I wanted to work with a bank that was local and that would make that process easy for us.”
“One of my business partners grew up in Woburn and was involved in the community,”
Jackie continued. “He knew someone at Northern Bank and he thought they were great. Northern Bank definitely has a local vibe and they are very connected to the community. Those things are important to us.” “The employees at the Northern Bank Woburn branch made us feel very comfortable right away. That cold, transactional feeling you get with most banks just wasn’t there. Everyone is warm and down to earth and they offer us suggestions without pushing them on us. They suggest things that are going to be helpful to us and that’s really valuable.”
“With all of the products and tools we utilize there, we feel as if our money is really working for us at Northern Bank. In fact, we were able to self-fund our second location because of the smart decisions we made with Northern Bank.”
“We’re looking to expand and provide more services to women in Massachusetts, and long-term other states, as well,”
Jackie explained. “We want to help as many women as possible. Right now, we have a line of credit at Northern Bank and we’re going to continue to use Northern as a resource to help us grow and expand in a way that’s manageable. They did that for us in this second location, and I have no doubt they’ll do it again for us.”
Lightwork Therapy & Recovery in Woburn is a licensed mental health clinic that provides an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for women. Through a deep understanding of the unique challenges women face, from societal pressures and responsibilities to deeply personal battles, owner Jackie Lightner and her team help women struggling with mental health issues. Their ethos revolves around a simple belief: every woman possesses innate strength, resilience, and light. Sometimes, life’s challenges can dim this light, but with the right support, it can shine brightly again. Lightwork Therapy & Recovery was the first only women’s IOP program in the state, and they just opened their second location. Jackie hopes to keep expanding in Massachusetts and beyond.
After 11 years with Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership - including a transformative start as a first-time homebuyer herself - Cathy Mercado now leads the organization as Executive Director. When her longtime community bank announced a merger, she needed a new partner who would show up for the community the way she does every day.
After 14 years of teaching at Puddle Duck Day School, Brittany Lupo had the opportunity to take over as owner. With her business degree and deep passion for education, she just needed a partner who understands small businesses and the best financing options available to make ownership a reality.
When a 25-year-old entrepreneur walked across the street from his auto repair shop to make daily deposits, he had no idea he was beginning a partnership that would span four decades. Jim Welch's journey from accounting student to successful automotive business owner illustrates how the right banking relationship becomes more than financial support. It becomes the foundation for sustained growth, unwavering trust, and generational success.
Contact us now to learn more about how Northern Bank can help you realize your goals and dreams.