In 2020 Vladimir Jones officially marks 50 years in business as an independent, women-owned, full-service advertising agency. We have, since our founding, believed in the power of brilliant brands. We love what they do for people, we love how they do it, and we want to help them do it for more people. As we celebrate our 50th year in business, we are focusing our brand altruism on other, like businesses in four distinct categories. We’re featuring brands that are independently owned; founded in 1970; family owned; and women owned (PowHERful Brands).
Kicking things off, this month we’re looking at independent brands we love. First up is Pack Up + Go, a travel agency that curates three-day getaways to surprise domestic destinations.
But first, let’s set some context. In addition to weekends, industry data indicates that we Americans receive more PTO yet we take fewer breaks, and the breaks we do take are short. Simultaneously, given the ever-churning news cycle, we’re never far from conflict and uncertainty.
Enter Lillian Rafson, founder, CEO and original travel planner of Pack Up + Go. The 2019 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow started the company in 2016 with a plan to introduce some positive, joyful uncertainty into people’s lives. Perhaps, she projected, by relieving customers of the average 15 hours required to plan a trip, they’d travel more.
And they have. Since 2016, Pack Up + Go has shepherded more than 19,000 travelers to 90 destinations, which they discover only hours before departure. About 10 percent of travelers are repeat customers, while another 20 percent engage the company by referral.
This year, Rafson will grow the Pack Up + Go team with a few strategic hires, introduce new trip formats, and make the sign-up process more dynamic. The team is also preparing for a significant technological upgrade, which will allow for streamlining and scaling operations while maintaining their standard for exceptional customer service.
Pack Up + Go is a personally inspired, market-responsive brand that reminds and encourages adults to invite more spontaneity into their lives. We think it’s a brilliant brand, and we believe in what it’s doing in the world. Maybe it’s time you take a trip.
Vladimir Jones is Colorado’s original independent, integrated advertising agency, with offices in Denver and Colorado Springs. We believe in brilliant brands and love making the world love them as much as we do.