OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County, a rapidly growing community welcoming an average of 400 new residents each month, recently became home to Kelly and Haley Matthews and their family. Formerly of West Virginia, the Matthews family—Kelly, her husband, and their three children—made the bold decision to purchase a home in Ocala sight unseen in October 2021.
Kelly and Haley, a mother-daughter team, have always shared a love for their community and a passion for creativity. In October 2020, during the slowdown caused by COVID-19, the pair launched The Imprint Duo, a custom jewelry business that quickly became a hit at local farmers’ markets and festivals. However, their move to Florida presented a new opportunity to expand their horizons.
Shortly after settling in Ocala, Kelly and Haley joined the Downtown Market as vendors, making connections and immersing themselves in the local scene. By the following year, they identified a unique opportunity: Marion County lacked a large-scale event specifically designed to celebrate women entrepreneurs and foster community connections. In response, the pair launched Girls Night Out in the spring of 2023.
Held at the Downtown Market Pavilion, Girls Night Out offers women a space to shop, enjoy food and drinks, and unwind on a Saturday night. While husbands and children are welcome, the event was created with “girl power” in mind, aiming to empower female vendors and provide a fun, relaxing environment for women.
“Our main passion behind Girls Night Out started from us being vendors ourselves. We wanted to give other vendors a place to just be successful by placing them in front of the community,” Haley explained. Kelly echoed the sentiment, adding “Then from there it evolved from helping those small businesses into this need and want from the community for us to keep moving forward with Girls Night Out. Women needed and wanted these nights out, they looked forward to getting dressed up, grabbing their friends and coming out to something we created especially for them. In the end it’s By Women, For Women.”
Following more than 10 successful Girls Night Out events, the duo is gearing up for their next major endeavor: Holly Day Out. Set to take place on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, at Brown and Brown Farms in Oxford, this family-friendly event will feature over 200 vendors, 25 farm activities, photo opportunities, train rides, and visits with Santa. Partial proceeds will benefit The Rock Program, a local organization dedicated to providing children with safe spaces and essential services.
“It’s all about the community, what we stand for, and what The Rock supports daily,” Kelly says. Haley agrees, emphasizing the importance of community involvement. “They’re passionate about children’s services and focused on our future, and we all know children really are our future. The fact that The Rock focuses on protecting our children and giving them a safe space has a significant impact on our community—it’s about where we live and the people we host at every event.”
The Rock’s mission aligns seamlessly with The Imprint Duo’s values, making them the perfect partner for this fun-filled family event.
“And we really wanted to give an opportunity to those talented male-owned businesses out there, too,” Holly laughs. “There are so many out there and Girls Night Out has created such a massive following that we wanted them to benefit from it, as well.”
While Holly Day Out focuses on family fun and holiday cheer, Kelly and Haley are also looking ahead to the future of Girls Night Out. “Without giving too much away, patrons can expect an expansion on the horizon,” Haley shares. “In addition to more community involvement, [there will be] collaborations with other small businesses and even some networking.”
Event Details
Holly Day Out will take place on Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Brown and Brown Farms in Oxford, FL. The event features free parking and a $2 admission fee, with partial proceeds benefiting The Rock Program. Rain or shine, families can enjoy a day packed with shopping, activities, and holiday excitement.
For more information, visit Holly Day Out on Facebook.