SANDRA GILLIS

Businesswoman and philanthropist Sandy Gillis is a familiar name and face to the residents of Ocean City and Salisbury and everywhere in between. A lifelong resident of the region, Sandy has spent her entire adult life earning the respect, admiration, and loyalty of everyone who’s had the pleasure of interacting with her at work, at play, or through any of the numerous charitable endeavors of which she’s a part.

Sandy’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on when she opened her first Creative Day Spa location in 1985 at the tender age of 18. She was also the proprietor of a second location in the Princess Royale Hotel, which she opened in 2012, employing more than 30 salon professionals before selling both locations in 2021.

In 2018, Sandy created the “OC Foodie Tour” which combines her love of culinary arts, visual arts, performing arts, history, culture, and architecture through eight different guided walking tours.

In addition to her success as an entrepreneur, Sandy is well known for her philanthropic activities that support several of her personal passions: local and regional artists, community healthcare and education, and promotion of emerging entrepreneurs. A consummate hostess, Sandy, along with her husband, Palmer Gillis, frequently open their home to local organizations, raising money for, among others, the PRMC Behavioral Health Campaign, The Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, the Ocean City Art League, and the Atlantic General Hospital Junior Auxiliary Group, the last two on which she served as a board member. She’s also an expert live auctioneer and stand-up comic—talents she’s often called on to perform at local fundraising events.  

You’re most likely to find Sandy enjoying her “downtime” gardening, reading, cooking, or indulging in the family’s favorite watersports.

“When people ask me what’s most important in business, I tell them this: Always have a mentor you can rely on for guidance and always maintain great credit. But most of all, put your family first and seek balance. Without that, you can’t truly succeed.”

Sandy’s knowledge and expertise of the area, coupled with her great attention to detail and local connections, makes her a necessity for your next real estate transaction.