–by Mary Helen Darah
PUBLICATION DATE: Aug 18, 2020
Citigirl, an exclusive to women community-based membership club, is having a kick-off party on Aug. 24 at Sylvania Country Club. The event will provide an opportunity to learn about the benefits available for women at local business establishments in the Toledo Metro Area.
Citigirl is the brainchild of sisters and founders Courtney Kuhn and Lindsey Hickey. Kuhn, according to her sister, is the force behind the scenes. Hickey, a nurse practitioner and proud mom of two sons, lives in the community and is thrilled to offer Citigirl to local women. “My sister and I were talking at a holiday gathering,” recalled cofounder Hickey. “We were reminiscing about growing up here. I was in Chicago for 25 years. Having kids brought me back to the area to be with friends and family. Our mom (Joan Durgin) is so inspirational and showed us by example the importance of giving back. We discussed that evening what we could do for women in our community. We wanted to create something by women for women and Citigirl was born.”
The organization has two main elements. There are business collaborators and members. Members receive numerous opportunities and benefits. Membership includes a network of local businesses that offer annual discounts, which quickly pays for the membership annual fee. Members will be able to attend social, speciality programs and networking events. These will include guest speakers, coffees, panel discussions and VIP shopping opportunities. There will also be events that gather members with shared interests such as cooking, business, sports, books, and yoga.
Sisters Lindsey Hickey and Courtney Kuhn launch Citigirl.
Over 80 business collaborators have already joined Citigirl. The majority of businesses are women-owned. The appeal to these businesses is that they will have a dedicated target market. “During a time of continued growth of ecommerce, securing local shoppers is more challenging. Citigirl helps solve that problem,” stated Hickey. “Promoting businesses can be expensive. We provide advertising for our business collaborators. We will also provide a spotlight for them and have them serve as guest speakers, event sponsors and experts in their area of expertise.”
The Citigirl Launch Party on Aug. 24 will be an outdoor event around the SCC pool. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available and giveaway swag bags will be part of the evening. Future Citigirl members will be able to sign up for a $250 annual membership for only $200 that evening.
Thus far, the sisters have received positive feedback from women. “We believe Citigirl is offering women a chance to come together for support and to appreciate each other’s accomplishments,” said Hickey. “We look forward to the reward of helping women succeed through Citigirl. Our dream is to eventually take Citigirl to other cities. We would love to see women unite and empower other women in our community and beyond.”
For more information on Citigirl visit citigirltoledo.com.