Before stepping into hospitality, I spent years in finance and operations — building systems, solving problems, moving fast.
That's what first drew our family to 30A. In summer 2022, my husband and I purchased a home in Seacrest with the intention of creating a place where our family of four could make memories together while also sharing it with others through a vacation rental. It wasn't just the beach itself that captured us — it was the feeling: bike rides with our kids, beach mornings, salt air, sunsets, and a slower pace that allowed us to truly enjoy being together.
What became Caught By A Wave 30A started as a family retreat and investment property, but quickly became much more. A challenging renovation experience unexpectedly sparked something in me: I discovered how much I loved bringing a home to life — not just designing beautiful spaces, but solving the puzzle behind creating an exceptional guest experience.
That experience lit a fire in me and eventually led us to Trailhead Retreat. Years earlier, my husband had made memories at Table Rock Lake with close family friends. Life became busy and we stopped visiting for years, but those memories quietly stayed with us and eventually pulled us back.
Trailhead felt different than our beach home, but familiar in all the ways that mattered. After furnishing enough of the home to finally pause, I remember walking outside, hearing birds in the trees, seeing rolling hills, and wandering through the community feeling an overwhelming sense of peace.
Looking back, I realize my background shaped how I approach hospitality today. Finance taught me strategic thinking, project management taught me how to bring ideas to life, and product management taught me to obsess over the experience itself. I naturally think through systems, anticipate needs, and focus on the small details that shape how a stay feels.
Today, Nicole David Retreats — named from family middle names representing the people at the center of it all — is built around one belief: beautiful homes matter, but how people feel inside them matters more.
