Clark and I bought  Girl Friday from Tanya Marracci on the first of August 2005. This is an interesting business. I get a kick out of going to the grocery store and meeting new people (face to face) and then realizing that I've been speaking to them on the phone for over a year now. When I finally do meet people in person, I often hear "wow, you must know everything that is going on, on the island", truth be told, I work hard at NOT knowing what's happening in everyone else's life. While I'm happy to talk to a tree stump, I tend to be a somewhat private person, and assume that other's appreciate a certain level of privacy for themselves as well. So, have no fear, the fact that your septic system is backing up the day of your huge dinner party, will go no further than the phone call to have it taken care of. Those near and dear will never hear about it from me!

It never fails to amaze me that for as long as Girl Friday has been on the island, there are still people that have no idea what we do. So, here it goes.....we answer phones and simply take messages, we answer phones and make reservations for B&B's,kayaking trips,whale watching/wildlife tours and of course, the San Juan Grange. We take orders for book sales and mail those books out, we collect mail on a temporary or long term basis for travelers and either hold it here pending their return to the island or mail it to them where ever they are on a regular basis. In addition to collecting said travelers mail, we pay their bills and make deposits in local banks, during their absence. We also do that for islanders on a more regular basis. We both send and receive faxes. We type letters as well as resumes and such. I have also had occasion to type a thesis paper. Hmmmm....have I left anything out???  Well, suffice it to say we are open to suggestions and challenges.

Oh, I didn't mention that I am also a travel agent. I work with one of the largest travel agencies in the Northwest..CM Travel (http://www.cmtravelagent.com/agentpage.asp?agentN=sgilbertl), based in Bellevue. One of the advantages of working for such a large agency is that I get to take advantage of the rates that are offered to large travel agencies. I get to go to seminars, offered to CM Travel agents, that are offered from travel vendors from all over the world. Because CM Travel is so large they have the opportunity to offer "in house" training that may or may not have been available to me were I not affiliated with such a large organization.

You might have noticed that I have a link to At One Service (my other business). At One Service (www.atoneservice.com) is a concierge service for the islands. Not to be confused with San Juan Concierge. San Juan Concierge offers local islanders help in a myriad of ways. I, on the other hand, help those coming to the islands. I help book their lodging, dining and activity reservations. I also help make arrangements for flower and grocery delivery to private houses or boats that have been rented. If a person needs a caterer or an event planner, I put them in contact with that person. Other than that, I just offer information about traveling to the islands.

Various ideas for using Girl Friday Services..... own a restaurant and need someone to take reservations? Writing a book and want someone to edit or type it for you? Need a personal secretary/organizer/assistant? Tired of waiting in line at the Post Office and just want someone to mail things out for you? Have the money, but just can't seem to get those bills paid on time? Offer take out service and want someone other than the already harried counter staff to take the orders?  OOOhhhh the possibilities!!!

I am in the office from 9am- 5pm, Monday thru Friday... give me a call at 360-378-4600 or drop by. If you want to have a conversation, not interrupted by constant phone calls, I am happy to schedule a meeting outside of normal business hours.