Holiday Golightly is your ultimate Girlfriend Getaway resource. We take the research and planning out of your busy hands – and book fantastically unique getaway trips that match your groups’ interests and style. Arrive armed with your Getaway Guide of insiders’ tips to your destination and head out to your cooking class, wine tour or yoga/surf camp. You deserve it!

How would you describe your business in  three words or less?
Guaranteed great getaway

What are the most popular or best selling products or services?.
Our most recent customers enjoyed a week-long trip through Tuscany and Umbria – complete with a truffle hunt, cooking class and an intimate dinner with wine pairings prepared and explained by a local celebrity chef.

People may be surprised to know that…
Sadly, only 24% of US women have taken a Girlfriend Getaway trip in the last three years – even though women acknowledge that such getaways make them feel “more self-confident, adventurous and relaxed”. Of those who do take the trips, a full 95% recognize that taking future girlfriend getaways are as or more important than ever. C’mon ladies- take care of yourselves and take a getaway!

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?
A friend told me she and her sisters had “the time, money and the inclination” to take a girls’ trip together, but they just never got organized and did it – whereas I could “write a book on the topic”. Having that very day coordinated a girls’ weekend to Portland and booked a villa in Italy for an upcoming group trip, I realized I really could create a business doing what I was already doing for fun… and help women take those much-needed trips that so many women neglect to do for themselves. And as we grow, I intend for the company to provide support to woman-focused non-profits – both financially and through social enterprise themed getaways.

Who is your role model or mentor?
Every day, I am increasingly impressed with the community of entrepreneurs around me who have turned their ideas into successful profitable companies. I feel lucky to belong to several local groups (NWEN, Ladies Who Launch, Women Business Owners) where I can learn from others who have succeeded – and receive the support and inspiration to do the same with Holiday Golightly.

What mistake have you made in your business that you will not repeat?
As a really early-stage start-up, I’m not sure we know what mistakes we’re making yet. What I am sure of is that we’re making some. I hope we have the presence to admit them, adjust and learn from them!

How do you spend your free time? What is your indulgence?
Not surprisingly, I love to travel and spend time with my friends. I will give up new clothes or shoes for a plane ticket and a few free days to go explore somewhere new (or indulge in somewhere known and beloved). (But truth be told, I’m also a sucker for fabulous handbags…and deep tissue massages).

What is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
We love to try new places and lately have been enjoying a tour of the new wine bars opening up around Seattle. Anywhere there’s an excuse to put on our fancy shoes… (Ok, admittedly we do that even at the dive bars).

Favorites and Why?
Best place to get a pedicure?
Frenchie’s – because they have the flutes ready for that champagne bottle you and your girlfriends just brought in.

Best place to get a manicure?
Somewhere with hot paraffin wax – my place stopped doing it but I hear the Spaahh at Hotel 1000 is doing this – and how can you not love the name? I’m relaxed already.

Best place to find gifts?
A stroll through Ballard – between local artists’ productions at Venue, quirky products at Duque and all the fun home accessory and clothing stores, there’s something for everyone.

Favorite salon?
Tamara Hamry at Aria Salon in Cap Hill – I’ve referred about 5 women there and for all of us… “best haircut ever”.

Best place to buy shoes?
DSW, baby! (The one in Factoria) Who can resist a great pair of Stuart Weitzman pumps marked down to $30?! And with the sizes marked right there on the boxes, you can quickly scan the aisles and walk out with a whole season’s worth of shoes on your lunch break!

Best place to buy clothes?
I’m partial to independent boutiques in new cities when I’m traveling. I love wearing a piece and remembering where I was and what we did on the trip when I bought it.

Best gym, fitness club?
Zum. Nothing hurts more than the day after a “Hard Core” class if you’ve made the mistake of going on vacation. But that’s how you know it’s working, right? All the staff at this intimate gym know everyone… and what they’re doing. Trainers and classes are great – and the gym even has style!

Where to find:

877-GRL-FRND

www.holidaygolightly.com