Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Gomez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Gomez Getaway started in the most unexpected way; I wanted another puppy!
Instead of immediately bringing one home, like I normally would do, I thought, “Maybe I’ll just babysit my friend’s new puppy and get my puppy fix that way.: Pretty quickly, I realized… wait, I’m actually really good at this.
My husband gave me one small vote of confidence, and honestly, that was all I needed. I ran with it!
From there, Gomez Getaway was born- a safe, calm, enriching place where pups can escape, relax, play and feel at home while their families are away.
But as the business grew, I realized it was becoming about so much more than dogs. I genuinely love McMinnville and the people who make this community what it is. There is something really special about being about to serve your neighbors, build relationships with local families, and become someone they trust with such an important part of their lives.
I never wanted it to feel like a traditional boarding environment. I wanted the Getaway to feel like your dog was going on their own little vacation – plenty of love, playtime, comfort, structure and individualized attention in a home setting. Just as importantly, I want their humans to leave knowing their dog is somewhere they are truly care for.
Today, Gomez Getaway feels like a little extension of the McMinnville community I love so much. I’m incredibly grateful for every family who has trust me, recommended me to a friend, followed along or simply cheered for me!
I am excited to keep growing, keeping meeting more of our neighbors and serving McMinnville families and their doggos for years to come!
Sometimes the best things really do start with, “What the heck… let’s try it!”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh my gosh – definitely not!
I think the biggest struggle, especially fin the beginning, was simply believing in myself. I doubted whether I could actually turn this little idea into something real. I questioned whether people would trust me with their dogs, whether I was experienced enough, whether I could make the business work, and whether I had any business calling myself a business owner in the first place.
And then, somewhere along the way, I just stopped doubting myself so much.
It wasn’t one huge moment. It was little things – client coming back, someone referring a friend, a dog getting excited to come through the door, or a family telling me how comfortable they felt leaving their pup with us. Each of those moments built my confidence a little more. Eventually, I realized I didn’t need to have everything figured out before I started. I just needed to care deeply, keep learning, and trust myself enough to keep going.
Of course, once you get past the self doubt, all of the very real small business challenges show up too. Scheduling can be a puzzle, expenses add up quickly, and finding a balance between running a business and still being present for my family and my life can be difficult. There are busy seasons, unexpected situations and plenty of potty accidents where I’ve had to adjust, learn, and rethink how I do things.
The biggest lesson has been learning that growth doesn’t have to look perfect. Gomez Getaway has grown right alongside me. I’m learning how to create boundaries, manage my time, make smart decisions, and build something sustainable without losing the heart of why I started.
I still have moments where I question myself – I think that’s normal – but now I have proof that I can figure things out as I go. That confidence has probably been one of the greatest things Gomez Getaway has given me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Gomez Getaway is different from other boarding facilities because it is personal. I am not trying to be the biggest boarding business or take in as many dogs as possible. I am intentionally keeping things small so every pup can get the attention, comfort and care they need to truly feel at home.
I get to know each dog – their personality, routines, quirks, energy level and what makes them feel safe. Some pups want constant play, some want quiet place to decompress, and some just want to follow me around the house and be part of the family. That individualized experience is really the heart of the Getaway.
I am proud of that because it means families aren’t just trusting me with their dogs; they’re trusting me with a member of their family. Knowing I’ve created a place where dogs are excited to come back and their people can actually relax while they’re away means everything to me.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about McMinnville is the sense of community. It still feels like a place where people know their neighbors, support local businesses, show up for their kids, and genuinely care about what happens here. I love running into familiar faces around town and getting to build real relationships with the families I serve through Gomez Getaway.
If I had to choose something I like least, it would be the growing pains that come with a community becoming more popular. Growth is exciting, but I think a lot of us also want to protect the small-town connection and character that makes McMinnville so special in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @gomezgetaway
