In a recent episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl, the conversation delved into the evolving world of outdoor hospitality, with a focus on the glamping industry. The panel included a diverse group of industry leaders: Zach Stoltenberg, Chris Jeub, Alessandro van de Loo, Stephanie Bias, Yves Ballenegger, and Chelsi Low. Each brought their unique perspective and expertise to the table, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Zach Stoltenberg, known for his work in architectural design and planning, shared his experiences and the complexities involved in creating sustainable and off-grid glamping sites, including a fascinating project in the Bahamas. This project, involving the development of uninhabited islands into an eco-friendly resort, highlighted the logistical challenges and innovative solutions required to bring such a vision to life. Stoltenberg’s passion for his current projects shone through as he discussed the importance of designing spaces that not only respect the environment but also provide guests with a luxurious and unique outdoor experience. Chris Jeub, discussed his role in helping landowners develop profitable glamping operations. His insights into the importance of creating memorable guest experiences and the potential revenue streams from additional amenities like propane service and guided hikes underscored the entrepreneurial spirit driving the glamping industry forward. Jeub’s dedication to education through his website and courses for aspiring glampsite owners reflects his commitment to nurturing the growth of the sector. Alessandro van de Loo brought an international perspective to the conversation, sharing the story of his family’s business, Vacanze col cuore, and its expansion across Europe. Van de Loo’s discussion of the European glamping market, including the blending of traditional camping with luxury experiences and the challenges of customer loyalty, provided a valuable comparison to trends in the United States and Canada. His focus on building a guest community and leveraging direct bookings to foster a personal connection with guests highlighted the importance of brand identity and customer service in the competitive hospitality landscape. Stephanie Bias, representing Camp Aramoni, offered her views on the significance of partnering with local businesses to enhance the guest experience. Her emphasis on collaboration with activity providers and restaurants to create comprehensive packages for guests illustrated the community-oriented approach to outdoor hospitality. Bias’s insights into the benefits of engaging with local chambers of commerce and leveraging the unique appeal of glamping to attract attention within these networks underscored the symbiotic relationship between glampsites and their local communities. Yves Ballenegger, the founder of Groovy Yurts, shared his passion for authentic Mongolian yurts and the cultural and environmental considerations that go into their design and use. Ballenegger’s dedication to providing a genuine and sustainable outdoor living experience through his yurts highlighted the growing consumer interest in eco-friendly and culturally rich accommodations. His discussion of the challenges of adapting traditional structures to meet modern expectations for comfort and sustainability provided a fascinating insight into the balance between authenticity and innovation in glamping. Chelsea Low, the owner of Aefintyr Outdoors, shared her journey of developing a glamping site from scratch, emphasizing the importance of creating a connection with nature and offering guests a rustic yet comfortable experience. Low’s focus on catering to guests seeking solitude and an authentic outdoor experience, along with her plans to expand the range of activities and amenities offered, reflected the personalized approach that has become a hallmark of successful glamping operations. Her story underscored the challenges and rewards of building a glamping business and the importance of listening to guest feedback to continually improve the experience. The episode of MC Fireside Chats offered a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of the outdoor hospitality and glamping industry. Through the diverse experiences and viewpoints of the panelists, listeners gained insights into the importance of design, customer experience, community engagement, and sustainability in creating successful outdoor hospitality ventures. As the industry continues to evolve, the conversation highlighted the creativity, innovation, and passion driving its growth, offering inspiration and guidance for current and aspiring professionals in the field.
This is MC Fireside Chats, a weekly show
featuring conversations with thought
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:leaders, entrepreneurs, and outdoor
hospitality experts who share their
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:insights to help your business succeed.
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:Hosted by Brian Searle, the founder
and CEO of Insider Perks, empowered by
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:insights from modern Campground, the most
innovative news source in the industry.
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:Brian Searl: Welcome everybody to
another episode of MC Fireside Chats.
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:My name is Brian Cyril with
Insider Perks sitting outside.
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:'cause for the last two weeks I had to sit
inside, so I decided I'm coming out here.
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:It's outdoor hospitality.
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:It's negative 10 degrees Celsius
in Calgary, pretty cold and windy.
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:So hopefully I won't have to talk much and
you won't hear the wind going into my mic.
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:But super excited to be here for
a recurring glamping episode.
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:Welcoming back some of our
recurring guests both old and new.
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:So Zach from Clockwork.
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:We'll have all you guys introduce
yourselves very briefly in a second.
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:Tell us about what you do because
that from Clockwork is back from a
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:trip into The Bahamas, which hopefully
he'll tell us a little bit about.
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:Maybe Chris is back, one of our
recurring guests from Colorado, right?
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:Chris?
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:Still terribly sad that I had to give
away your wine at TSA, but I don't know.
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:I apologize for that.
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:Chris Jeub: I'm terribly
sad about that too.
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:Brian Searl: I tried to drink it, man.
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:Like we had to go anyway, whatever.
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:Okay and then welcome a
couple new recurring guests,
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:Alessandro and Stephanie.
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:And then we have another recurring
guest who's gonna join us next week too.
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:She just was on a flight
at this current time.
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:And then we've got our
special guest here, Chelsi.
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:And Yves.
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:And let's just go around the room
and maybe introduce everybody.
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:Just give a brief bio of who you guys are.
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:Who wants to start?
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:Nobody.
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:Oh, I'll start.
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:Chris Jeub: I'll start.
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:Okay.
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:I'm Chris Jub.
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:I call myself the glamping
guy online Glampingguy.com.
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:I help landowners build safe,
legal, and profitable glamping
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:operations in their private property.
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:I own and operate Monument Glamping
here in Monument, Colorado.
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:And we have two properties
12 units we're in.
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:We're in review for up to
thirty-four units coming this summer.
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:Can't wait.
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:So that's me.
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:Brian Searl: Awesome.
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:Thank you.
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:Chris.
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:Who's next?
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:Let's next.
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:Alright, there we go.
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:I was gonna say, let's do
the recurring guest anyway.
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:So go ahead, Stephanie.
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:Stephanie Bias: Okay.
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:So I'm Stephanie.
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:I am the communications
director at Canberra.
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:We are in Illinois at 90
minutes, Southwest of Chicago.
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:Near Starbrook State Park, if you've
heard of that State park before.
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:We have 11 units and I figured out how to
get my background with our units there.
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:So we have 10, and I'm excited to be here.
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:Thank you.
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:Brian Searl: Awesome.
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:Thanks for joining us.
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:Alessandro, you wanna go?
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:Alessandro van de Loo: Yeah, sure.
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:I'm Alessandro van de Loo from
the Netherlands, or at least
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:I'm based in the Netherlands.
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:We have a family business
operating nine glamping locations.
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:Eight of them are in Italy,
one is in the Netherlands.
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:So I'm doing it with my
father and my brother.
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:And don't know how much you know about
European glamping scene, but there
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:are quite some big chains, building
very big resorts at the moment.
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:And we try to offer like smaller
destinations and be boutique style player.
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:And yeah, we are building
that at the moment.
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:Brian Searl: Awesome.
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:I'm excited to talk to you a little bit
more about that and to have you thank
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:you for being here as a recurring guest.
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:I know a little bit about, I'd say
the European clamping market from the
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:guests on the show, but I think the goal
of having you here is to help us all
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:learn a little bit more about that and
then share information where we can.
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:So Zach,
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:Zach Stoltenberg: Zach Stoltenberg.
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:I'm the director of Outdoor
Hospitality for Clockwork.
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:I'm a licensed architect and our firm has
been working in the outdoor hospitality
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:industry for about the last three years.
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:And we partner with landowners,
with developers, entrepreneurs,
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:really anybody that wants to
build or develop a clamping site.
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:And we as architects, we specialize in
the design, the master planning and then
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:the permitting and approval side to, to
get through kinda your planning and zoning
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:process and get a budget put together.
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:And build your resort.
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:So that's what we do.
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:We help people build glamping resorts.
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:Brian Searl: All over too.
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:I wanna talk about The Bahamas and all
that kind of stuff, but yeah, definitely
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:a good person to have on the show.
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:Thanks for being here.
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:Zach, as always.
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:Chelsi, let's see if I
can pronounce this right.
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:Aefintyr?
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:Chelsi Low: Yes.
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:Brian Searl: All right.
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:Chelsi Low: Thank you.
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:Brian.
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:Brian Searl: Tell us who, one
of our special guests here.
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:Chelsi Low: My name is Chelsi Low and I
own and operate Aefintyr, a small glamping
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:operation in southeastern Minnesota.
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:Our main, kind of main attraction is the
Driftless area and Whitewater State Park
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:which is well known in the region here.
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:I have 11 units and my specialty
is treehouse camper cabins,
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:and then hike in glamping.
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:That is very rustic for folks
who are looking for a little
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:bit more rugged experience.
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:I have some bell tents and then also
some outdoor beds that I hand built that
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:have clear roofs on them and screens.
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:You can really get a good night's sleep
with the experience of sleeping outside.
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:Brian Searl: Awesome.
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:I can't,
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:Chelsi Low: and I've been working
on this since:
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:opened my doors actually Memorial
Day weekend this last year.
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:So just getting up and running.
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:Brian Searl: Awesome.
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:I can't wait to learn more about
Aefintyr and kinda that journey
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:would be interesting, I think
to dive into a little bit too.
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:Yves.
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:Yves Ballenegger: I'm Yves from
Groovy Yurts, founder of Groovy Yurts.
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:We import authentic Mongolian Yurts since
:
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:We have a couple of yurts on
our own, but our specialty is
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:really the sale and the delivery.
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:We also helped set up of
those authentic beauties.
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:One here, one right here as well.
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:This miniature and this.
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:Brian Searl: Are they, oh,
I was gonna ask if they were
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:actually that big, but go ahead.
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:Sorry.
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:Yves Ballenegger: There's one, but they
go up to 40 feet and most traditionally
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:bit between I'd say around 20 feet are the
most traditional and the most efficient.
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:Passion for Mongolia, passion
for those yurts, and this where
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:we're trying to bring to our
customers across North America,
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:which we do with our own vehicles.
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:So we're nomads too.
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:Brian Searl: Awesome.
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:Super excited to dive into
what Groovy Yurts has to offer.
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:So I think we'll start with
Yves and Chelsi in a second.
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:But before we do guys, recurring guests,
is there anything that has come across
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:your desk that you feel like we should be
paying attention to or talking about here
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:before we dive into our special guests
and the glamping industry as a whole?
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:No, everybody's so quiet today.
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:All right.
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:Let's start with let's start
with Yves at Groovy Yurts since
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:we were just talking to him.
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:So tell us tell us a
little about Groovy Yurt.
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:Yves.
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:Yves Ballenegger: Thank you.
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:We, we are possibly the
happiest yurt salesmen on Earth.
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:And and have been and there's
a few reasons for that.
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:The number one reason is we're
lucky to work with these Mongolian
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:manufacturers in Mongolia.
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:We're trying to source our
products mostly on the countryside.
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:And the other reason is that
we're the direct link between
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:them and the, and our customers.
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:We I'm a trucker by passion and trade.
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:We've got a couple vehicles on
the road and a few times a year we
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:go on those epic delivery tours.
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:We would, we're based in Canada,
in Alexandria, so that's close to
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:Montreal between Montreal and Ottawa.
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:And we crossed the continent.
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:We would go all the way to Alaska
Crossing Canada, then down to
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:California and come back trying to
really group those orders and to bring
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:this service and this love of yurts
to our customers helping them set up.
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:And so that's what we do.
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:We're a small team of
about 10, 12 people here.
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:That's of course not counting the very
extended family of our Mongolian suppliers
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:in Mongolia who are all independent.
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:Yurts, Mongolian, yurts.
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:There's A, I don't know.
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:How are you guys familiar
with Mongolian Yurts?
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:Brian Searl: No, that's what
I was gonna ask you and to our
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:recurring guests into the new ones.
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:Please feel free to jump
in, ask questions, talk to
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:whoever we're talking to.
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:Just so I have to talk less,
and then the audience is more
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:interested, but I was gonna ask
you like, what is the difference?
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:What sets Mongolian-built yurts apart?
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:Yves Ballenegger: A lot of things.
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:The main characteristic is
that this dwelling has been
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:shaped over thousands of years.
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:And rarely will you find a dwelling
that's so efficient and that really
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:combines efficiency very interesting
traditions, respect of the environment.
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:And so Mongolian yurts are used by nomads
in a climate that's actually very dry.
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:So we did have to accommodate more
humid climates, something that
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:we are very comfortable with now.
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:The, and I would, I can maybe compare
the Mongolian yurt with the modern
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:yurts that you might know and far from
me, from criticizing modern yurts,
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:but really showing the pros and cons.
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:The you will see the Mongolian yurt
is usually a little lower, and this
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:is the result of thousands of years
of very slow, fine-tuning by this
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:extreme weather of Mongolia, which
is stuck between China and Russia.
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:Extremely cold in the winter
minus 40 due at this time.
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:And that can last for weeks.
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:It's quite warm in the summer.
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:Very strong winds in the grasslands.
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:This gave this very aerodynamic shape.
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:And what's interesting is that there's not
only a whole technique that came out of
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:this very slow development, but it's also
connected to the Mongolian traditions.
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:These nomads are phenomenal.
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:They might be one of the most advanced
culture on the planet, depending how you
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:look at it, but they live in harmony with
nature without, instead of imposing on it.
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:So the yurt is actually not anchored to
the ground, not to harm the earth first.
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:Symbolic an interesting one.
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:So that shows how
aerodynamic the structure is.
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:There's ways to anchor it.
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:Additionally, but still this
compact also helps to keep
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:this dwelling warm in winter.
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:So in the midst of the winter when it's
very cold they don't have any wood.
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:Usually there's very little.
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:Which is actually dried dung.
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:And that works.
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:So the yurt is also very well insulated.
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:It's insulated with felt sheep,
wool, and a beautiful felt.
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:That's actually yeah, a
hundred percent sheep wool.
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:So a hundred percent sustainable.
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:It'll decompose.
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:So this entire structure will
actually go back to the ground.
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:If it's unused, however, use it.
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:If you maintain, it'll last forever.
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:And with this new concept of being
able to fix something so you can
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:constantly upgrade the yurt if necessary.
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:We carry spare parts, but actually our
customers often even built their own if
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:needed, not that they need so, so often.
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:So and quickly back to those Mongolian
traditions that are interesting, and it's
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:also something that our customers should
there be glampers or or dwellers like.
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:Is you step in a Mongolian, yurt
or ger, which is the name in
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:Mongolia, and you're somewhere else.
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:So just one step right foot first
you're propelled on the other
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:side of the planet in a dwelling
that's a little bit like a womb.
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:It's very colorful.
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:You might see from afar
it's all hand painted.
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:Like those.
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:Stools that I have behind you will
see the same patterns or none.
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:Now we also make unpainted yurts.
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:So you I'll guide you in.
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:You'll step right foot first
into this yurt, and you'll go
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:you'll go clockwise inside.
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:You'll follow the sun that's shining
into the yurt during the course of
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:the day from the very large dome
that they have, huh, on, on top.
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:Then you'll notice that the Mongolians
will sit you to the north because all
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:direction, cardinal direction have
their importance and very close to
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:North American culture native cultures.
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:So they actually believe they're cousins.
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:Then you start noticing, oh, the lattice
wood is attached with camel rawhide.
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:The ropes are made of horsehair.
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:You can't see the felt because it's
hidden by the, a liner of cotton.
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:But it's it's sheeple and so the
sound is is damped in that yurt.
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:It's giving it a very comfortable feel.
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:Now it's not only comfortable
just for the sound of it, but it's
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:super easy to keep warm in winter.
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:Yes, you have to bend to enter the yurt.
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:I'm six five.
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:As soon as I do a step inside
pop, I've got enough headroom.
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:So it's much more spacious than it looks.
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:And then the same insulation
will work in the summer.
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:So there's a polycarbon cover that we use
here in North America on top of the felt.
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:We add a another layer of
house wrap for moisture.
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:So this insulation will stop the sunstroke
and so you won't cook in your yurt during
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:the summer, and you will lift the side
of the dwelling, creating a natural drop.
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:Remember, the yurt is not anchored,
so you can actually lift those sites.
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:So it's actually air conditioning
and has been for thousands of years.
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:So it's fascinating how an ancient concept
can actually be used and be almost more
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:efficient than their modern countertops.
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:Brian Searl: So Let me ask
you this Zachary architecture
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:experience, experiential expert.
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:What comes to mind when
you hear all about these?
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:Zach Stoltenberg: I'm intrigued
to know have you had any of these
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:traditional units evaluated from
like an R value perspective?
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:One thing that we've run into.
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:Recently, especially in some of those
northern state climates, is states
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:that are enforcing requirements
for energy co energy code.
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:So being able to come back and say,
Hey, this assembly, this horn, this
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:particular unit that we've chosen,
this is the equivalent of our value
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:of these walls to meet compliance
with a local requirement regulation.
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:Yves Ballenegger: So it's
an excellent question.
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:And yeah, let me actually just
grab a piece of felt here.
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:Brian Searl: This guy is prepared.
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:Have you ever seen anybody
as prepared for our show?
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:Zach Stoltenberg: I'm just,
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:Stephanie Bias: I love all the experience.
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:Yves Ballenegger: I'm in my office,
so of course I've got everything.
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:Zach Stoltenberg: I hundred percent
believe him now, and he says he's the
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:happiest yurt salesman in the world.
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:Yves Ballenegger: And I can get
you a yurt out of the warehouse.
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:That's a barn just next to it.
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:Got about 50 of them.
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:So if you need anything, just ask.
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:So here are two layers of felt.
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:So that felt, although it's an excellent
insulator, is only something like, I
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:think three point I'll have to check,
I should have been more prepared.
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:3.5 r, 3.5 an inch.
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:So it's good, but we only can, we can
only put in the current structure up
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:to three layers that say to insulate.
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:So you won't get to these these
R values that are requested by
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:some of those municipalities.
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:The R-value, however, doesn't
take in account, and correct
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:me, Zach, if I'm wrong, doesn't
take the in account the volume.
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:Here we have, actually, this one of
course is quite small, but you can
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:estimate the size, you can look.
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:This one is about 20 feet in diameter
and this is the most common in Mongolia
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:16, 20, up to twenty-two feet max.
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:We sell larger, but we promote those.
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:Why?
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:Because it's a very compact volume
with still a very decent insulation.
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:So to keep this warm,
it doesn't take much.
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:And so no, we can't reach those values.
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:Some municipalities are actually or
building inspectors, are actually open to
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:this concept and understand that actually.
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:Even though we don't have that,
our value, we're using way less
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:energy to keep this warm or cool.
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:We're actually also working on a kind of
a hybrid year It's that should keep most
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:of the, of these ancient qualities while
being able to respond to those requests.
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:But that's not gonna be on the
market before I think a year
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:or probably a year and a half.
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:Brian Searl: That answer your
question, Zach or I don't really
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:know too much about our value, so
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:Zach Stoltenberg: I think the key with
a unique structure like this is just
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:what, what was described, you have to
look at this as a whole the entire unit.
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:And there's some provisions
in code now that are starting
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:to evolve more that direction.
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:Taking the entirety of the
structure and looking at what are
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:what's your total energy usage?
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:What is the lighting?
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:What is the HVAC?
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:Our value is one component of it, but it's
only one small piece of that component.
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:There's also additional requirements
for continuous insulation.
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:So one of the things I think is
really cool about the traditional
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:structures is that the entirety of
the outside is one, complete envelope.
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:You, the only opening you have
is your door and even that door.
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:As was mentioned, it's a lower,
smaller door, right to keep
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:more of that energy inside.
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:And then the only natural lighting
that's coming in is through that
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:kind of Oculus skylight at the top.
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:So I think there's, looking at it from
the whole big picture it's interesting
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:that there, there are those components
and like I said, this has evolved over
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:thousands of years to be energy efficient.
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:It's just a matter of being able to
package that document it and prove
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:it, to a building inspector or a local
jurisdiction or official that, you know,
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:hey, if you're just looking at a number
on a page, yeah we're gonna be an r
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:value of seven or eight and your code
may be, 19, we're not gonna get there.
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:But if you look at the whole
big picture of it that, this is
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:still a very efficient structure.
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:Brian Searl: Awesome.
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:Anybody else have any questions for Yves?
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:We're gonna come back to him in
a few minutes, but All right.
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:Let's go to Chelsi at Aefintyr.
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:Chelsi, you're up north there.
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:Tell us a little bit about Aventere
and then at some point tell us
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:if you would be interested in
people hiking to in Mongolian
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:Dirt maze, but not the first Sure.
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:Not the first thing.
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:Let's talk about F Tier version.
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:Chelsi Low: Yeah.
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:So Aefintyr, as I mentioned it is in
the geography is in the Driftless area.
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:And for folks that are from Minnesota,
Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois,
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:it is a, it's a beautiful area.
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:Lots of hills river valleys.
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:We have, great opportunities, of course,
for the typical, wildlife, wildflowers,
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:nature, observing, things like that.
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:Trout, but trout fishing
is a huge thing as well.
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:We got a lot of spring
fed streams and rivers.
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:So that's a hot item for recreation.
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:The area also does not have mosquitoes
near at, near the rate that we do in
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:a lot of other areas in the region.
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:Brian Searl: I thought you were
gonna say you didn't have it at all.
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:And I was like, why are you
not marketing that everywhere?
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:Chelsi Low: Ooh I never wear bug
spray when I'm out working and
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:I'm out in the woods all the time.
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:And people will come and visit me
especially from like North Central
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:Minnesota where the mosquitoes are
like, we joke, it's the state bird here.
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:And they're like, wow.
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:It really is true.
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:What people say about, the Driftless
region with the mosquitoes.
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:That's huge as well.
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:I think it just the people's comfort
being outdoors and not having
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:to worry about the bug spray and
swatting the bugs is a big draw too.
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:And hunting is huge as well.
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:Deer hunting and Turkey
hunting in particular, I.
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:And so the campground again I have been
working on this project since:
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:I built it from the ground up.
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:It was a raw piece of land.
390
:It's 14 acres.
391
:So I had a lot of lessons learned in
the development, getting all of the
392
:permits going through that whole process.
393
:I had extra fun with it because it's
actually on two different parcels, and
394
:one of them is in a city jurisdiction,
and then the other part is in a county.
395
:So it was like everything I.
396
:I had to ask twice.
397
:So in the covid you throw covid in there.
398
:Anyway, it was just such a relief
to get through all of that.
399
:I was inspired to do this because
of wilderness and nature trips
400
:that I took as a kid and just
falling in love with that area.
401
:I live in Rochester, Whitewater's
about 30 minutes, and it's just
402
:such a relaxing, beautiful place
that I enjoyed going as a child.
403
:And I was inspired to do something
other than the typical RV resorts
404
:that they have, where it's just, it's
like a parking lot with the mode lawn.
405
:Everybody's smashed in
there and the party scene.
406
:Not everybody wants that, and there's
not really an outlet I guess for that.
407
:So I really wanted to try to take that
idea of, I wanna have a place where
408
:people who not that they don't wanna
have a good time, but they're really
409
:looking to just get out in the woods.
410
:Be in nature, connect with friends and
family have a quiet place, and then be
411
:able to go out and experience all of
the great things that are in the area.
412
:So my clients, they are they're
rugged independent people.
413
:I don't get a lot of complaints.
414
:They like to take care of themselves.
415
:And I've divided things
into two categories.
416
:I have three little treehouse cabins.
417
:Two of them I actually, I'm finishing the
construction on and I hope they're up and
418
:running here probably by the end of March.
419
:So I have that's approachable.
420
:People can drive up.
421
:I.
422
:Get their stuff out.
423
:And then park.
424
:The other piece is the hike in glamping,
which is a concept that I had to
425
:really develop the last two years to
decide what I was going to do with it.
426
:And I still am not committed
to structures, so who knows?
427
:We could certainly look
at Mongolian Yurts.
428
:I'm really exploring kind of
what else I should do as far
429
:as some of the structures.
430
:And I would like to get on a
rotation so that it changes.
431
:But it's meant to give people a little bit
of a flavor of a wilderness experience.
432
:So you need a backpack.
433
:You can't bring your little
dot cart or anything.
434
:It's not gonna work on the trail.
435
:It's about a quarter mile
up to the top of the bluff.
436
:And then people have a the
tent or the outdoor bed.
437
:I provide linens towels if they wanna use
the bath house for a shower mattresses.
438
:But it's still very basic.
439
:It's meant to provide that
authentic camping experience.
440
:So I, I don't have climate control.
441
:People still feel the temperature
changes throughout the day.
442
:They can hear the nature
outside, the coyotes, the birds
443
:through the tent or the beds.
444
:So it's definitely I had to even
really get to the bottom of, is this.
445
:Glamping or not.
446
:And I did, I committed to the word
glamping because I do have those creature
447
:comfort comforts for provided, but it's
on the very rustic side of glamping.
448
:So that's the clients that I'm trying
to serve and what I'm trying to do
449
:my next steps, I really wanna look at
the experience and how I can partner
450
:with like trout fishing guides people
that have expertise in some of the
451
:recreation opportunities there.
452
:And then I'm also really
interested in art.
453
:So I've tried to connect I had an
artist come out this last summer.
454
:She has a business called Paint and Hike,
and she takes people outdoors and has a
455
:whole method for how you can do painting
while you're out outside in the woods.
456
:And so I wanna get experiences
like that for people.
457
:So that's kind of Aefintyr in a
nutshell, and I guess where I'm
458
:at in the vision for the future.
459
:Brian Searl: So I'm curious if
nobody else has any questions.
460
:Alessandro van de Loo: Yeah, I think
if I may, I think it's really nice what
461
:you're saying about asking yourself
the question is glamping or not?
462
:Because in, in Europe we have been
asked a lot of times as we used
463
:to own a tour operator like OTA.
464
:It was quite big in Glimping holidays.
465
:So a lot of people are asking us like,
what's the definition of glimping?
466
:And it's a very hard question to answer.
467
:And I was like, checking your
website a couple of minutes
468
:ago and before you said that.
469
:And I was like, really?
470
:Wow, this really gives the right
vibe of what I personally think
471
:is like really matching this name.
472
:But I'm, yeah, I really like
to hear that in, in the States
473
:it's like the same type of.
474
:Of questions that we
have in Europe, actually.
475
:Yeah.
476
:We have no idea what, it's interesting.
477
:Yeah.
478
:Even here there's no idea,
like it's just a label.
479
:You like put on it.
480
:And at the end we believe it's
the customers who finally will
481
:judge the success or the not
success of any initiative.
482
:Chelsi Low: Yeah, I think there's
a lot of wisdom in that, and I have
483
:really tried to get a lot of feedback.
484
:That's been a lot of fun.
485
:Now having a full year under my belt
with it is seeing what people like.
486
:My, the Treehouse cabins are,
by far the highest occupancy.
487
:I haven't really done much with
marketing other than the online
488
:travel options that are out there, and
then that, that really is a mix too.
489
:It's the line between what is
vacation rental and what's not,
490
:but I've definitely, I've probably
about 50% I think of my bookings
491
:were direct, which was super cool.
492
:Just through my website, and then
Airbnb is my next biggest one.
493
:And Hip Camp vrbo depending on the
unit, I can't, the cabins I'll list
494
:on vrbo, but the rest of the property
isn't appropriate for that platform.
495
:So I've just really been trying to put
myself out there and see, how I'm, who
496
:I'm capturing through those channels.
497
:But.
498
:Yeah, it was, I think going with the
glamping was a good choice, to label
499
:myself that way, but I try to be
very forward with people about, this
500
:is a rugged experience, it's very,
your creature comforts will be met.
501
:I'm all about customer service and
providing the essentials, but it takes
502
:physical effort, to get up to the site.
503
:And I have had people that have gotten up
there and it was just too much for them.
504
:They're like, this is wilder than
I thought it was going to be.
505
:And I, it's just gonna be too much.
506
:So I've changed my the way I've
described things a little bit, and
507
:I think I have a better way that
I'm presenting it to the public.
508
:So they get there and I'm capturing
the right people and they're
509
:excited to be there and not like
overwhelmed when they arrive.
510
:Zach Stoltenberg: I wanted to ask hit
on one thing that you said earlier,
511
:in this, you've got a year under your
belt, you're in this transitionary
512
:period, and you're it sounds like
you're shifting your focus from the
513
:accommodations piece into experience,
into building those guest experiences,
514
:whether that's, the painting piece or
hiking or can you talk a little bit
515
:more about that, how that's come about?
516
:What are your thoughts as an
operator on what how important is
517
:the experience component to it?
518
:Chelsi Low: Yeah, for I, for the
folks that have that, I've been
519
:reaching, who I would consider to be
my a picture of my typical guests.
520
:I think I, I had it in my mind
initially that it was going to be
521
:critical that I had lots of activities
and things for people to do.
522
:And I actually found that one thing
that was so fascinating to me was I
523
:had a lot of solo people that came and
men, women people of, early twenties,
524
:all up the way into seventies.
525
:It was quite an age range too.
526
:And people just wanting peace
and quiet, they'd be like,
527
:Chelsi, I just need to get away.
528
:Like I, I need to get
away from technology.
529
:I just need a place to be and
to think and be in the woods.
530
:And so I tried to really listen to that.
531
:And I have a couple guests.
532
:I ask them if I could interview
them, and I will at some point.
533
:Get with them.
534
:And I just really wanna
kind of dive into that.
535
:So I think maybe it was less
important than what I was thinking.
536
:I think it, it was actually okay that
people could just come there and be there.
537
:And so then I don't know if it's more of
I don't know if anybody's heard the term
538
:like a Hermitage, which is like a place
where people go alone to be alone and
539
:to do reflection and things like that.
540
:So I think there could be
some opportunity there.
541
:I do have other groups, the as far
as like the art classes go, or like
542
:people that are looking to go with a
experienced trout fisher person, out
543
:on the beautiful Whitewater River.
544
:I would love to get into, I love to kayak.
545
:And float down the river in tubes.
546
:So I would love to be able to provide
opportunities like that for people.
547
:And I think that I just, I need
to collect a little bit more data.
548
:Some of those services are
already offered, so if I can't do
549
:something that's just spectacularly
different, to differentiate myself,
550
:I need to pick the ones that
maybe people aren't offering yet.
551
:But I, overall, I would say
that I'm not as concerned about
552
:that being a draw for guests.
553
:I think it's more for me just looking
for additional revenue streams
554
:because I don't have and developing
the business, I do want to have di
555
:more options for people, if you will.
556
:Not that they have to do those things.
557
:But I cannot grow the business anymore.
558
:The way that the topography and everything
of the land is, if I am going to grow
559
:the business, I will need to find
another location to add to the portfolio.
560
:Stephanie Bias: And what are your
guests currently doing for meals?
561
:Are they cooking them on site
or what does that look like?
562
:Chelsi Low: Yeah, great
question, Stephanie.
563
:'cause that was another thing too.
564
:You hear about the ha having
food on site and stuff.
565
:They are bringing their own food.
566
:I am investing in providing more
like cooking type amenities.
567
:So I do have a couple propane
grills that are easily accessible.
568
:I don't have them at each site.
569
:But I do, I've got one up on the
bluff top, and then I have one of
570
:'em down at the base area, if you
will, where the little cabins are.
571
:So people definitely utilize the grills.
572
:I have a, like a skillet and grill.
573
:At each camp site.
574
:That's something kind of new.
575
:This year I got a lot of people
asking about having private a
576
:space to cook over the campfire.
577
:So going to be investing there 'cause
I know people are looking at that, but
578
:they are still bringing their own food.
579
:Coolers are a big problem for me because
coolers are not very backpack friendly.
580
:I have people that are
really into gear and stuff.
581
:I've seen some really
cool backpack coolers.
582
:But for my folks that I don't wanna
turn away somebody that wants to do
583
:the experience and maybe they haven't
been backpacking and don't have gear,
584
:that's part of, I wanna be able to
help people that haven't had that
585
:experience, have that experience.
586
:Working through that, there is, there's
a restaurant and then actually two bars
587
:that are within a mile of the campground.
588
:So it is very easy for people to act
if they wanna like order out pizza or
589
:go for burgers or something like that.
590
:There is food very readily available.
591
:Just down the road.
592
:And I'm also three miles from
a winery too, which is cool.
593
:Stephanie Bias: Oh, nice.
594
:Brian Searl: That's what
I need is the pizza place.
595
:Like I can survive.
596
:I know how to do the fire with the
flint and steel and all that kind.
597
:I can build a shelter,
but I need my pizza.
598
:Yeah, you all that.
599
:And I just need to go to the pizza
restaurant, come back and I'm fine.
600
:Chris Jeub: Chelsi, this
is really encouraging.
601
:You are crushing it out there.
602
:Chelsi Low: Oh, thank you Chris.
603
:I'm gonna, I just feel like I'm
figuring things out right now.
604
:Chris Jeub: But yeah, you are you're
going in your second year, right?
605
:So I'm going in my sixth year.
606
:So you remind me of a lot.
607
:A lot of the lot of my first year
boy, I was just, it was awesome.
608
:You're doing 50% direct
bookings is incredible.
609
:And that's Yeah,
610
:Chelsi Low: I was surprised
by that, honestly.
611
:And I'm not marketing and
getting out there and selling
612
:myself is not my strength.
613
:I could definitely use help in that area.
614
:Chris Jeub: Yeah.
615
:I would say most of us and the, who
are the beginner accommodations offers.
616
:We dream to get off of Airbnb and
Verbo and all those, but direct
617
:and I'll be all direct bookings.
618
:So 50 percent's really good.
619
:I'd encourage you if you're open
to a couple of ideas, 'cause
620
:these are things I kinda learned
621
:Chelsi Low: Absolutely.
622
:Chris Jeub: After my first
year is the whole idea.
623
:Absolutely.
624
:Those amenities that you charge for
really bring in a lot of revenue and
625
:you could provide, I, this is what I do.
626
:I provide grills to each of my units.
627
:But then I charge for the propane.
628
:So thirty-five dollars for
propane service is what I give.
629
:And it costs about $15
to fill a propane tank.
630
:And I just service the propane when
they pay the thirty-five dollars.
631
:Having a, getting a professional
photographer out there to actually
632
:spend the night and take the
pictures of the sun going down or
633
:sun rising and things like that.
634
:Getting that nice, the people that
have those $2,000 cameras that
635
:can take these popping awesome
photos would that sells the place.
636
:That's something that I, it took me
about a year or two to figure out, and
637
:then I did guided hikes for a while.
638
:Okay.
639
:Yeah.
640
:Yeah.
641
:You, you mentioned the tubing and stuff.
642
:Yves Ballenegger: The tubing.
643
:Yeah, the tubing.
644
:You said the tubing,
645
:Chris Jeub: the minutes old next.
646
:It just started coming outta
me, but I did guided hikes.
647
:I'm really close to Pike National Forest
and I don't do it anymore, just 'cause it.
648
:It's time consuming, but at the early
days I did it and it was really fun
649
:to really connect with the people.
650
:Zach said, an experiential stay.
651
:They just feel like they got
the red carpet rolled out for
652
:'em and I would get to know 'em.
653
:And so we would take, I would take
my dog for a walk and we would just
654
:walk and talk and just get to know
each other while we walked Pike
655
:National Forest for a little bit.
656
:And and that was really good.
657
:And then I charge 'em,
charge 'em 50 bucks.
658
:And they were always pleased.
659
:So those are some, so
those are some ideas.
660
:It's, but you're encouraging
to see just budding it out of
661
:year one and this is awesome.
662
:Chelsi.
663
:Zach Stoltenberg: Yeah, to
664
:Chelsi Low: Thanks for that, Chris.
665
:Yes.
666
:Thank you for those suggestions.
667
:And I agree on the photos.
668
:I just need to bite the
bullet and spend the money.
669
:I got a lot of great photographers.
670
:I know.
671
:And,
672
:Chris Jeub: yeah hip camp actually
offers a kind of a photography offer.
673
:And I've actually invited my hip camp
photographer, that was, it started with,
674
:every year I take professional photos
that the, I invite the photographer here.
675
:She spends the night, she brings
her kids are the models for it.
676
:And then I just get those
popping great photos.
677
:And the rest of the year I take 'em with
my cell phone, so like when a development
678
:comes or I offer a new amenity, I'll just
do the best I can with my cell phone.
679
:But then I upgrade it every year with
that professional and she's 300 bucks.
680
:And then I give her a tip,
so she keeps coming back.
681
:Zach Stoltenberg: Yeah,
to build on that too.
682
:Chelsi you talked about a couple of
those, excursions or activities, right?
683
:That there's already, operators in your
area that are doing kayaking and tubing.
684
:One suggestion I would make is that
I don't think you have to reinvent
685
:yourself or do something different.
686
:Several different operators that we've
worked with on the designs, they've said,
687
:Hey, we have all this stuff in the area.
688
:So I think if you have.
689
:Fishing guides, if you have a kayak
or tubing operation that's nearby
690
:I would look for opportunities
just to partner with them.
691
:See if they would offer a referral or a
finder's fee where it's something that
692
:you could make available to your guests.
693
:Put it on your website.
694
:Hey, if you want to book a kayak
trip here's the link to do and it
695
:just links out to that operator's
website, they book with them.
696
:But for every one of those referrals
that comes from that unique.
697
:For that.
698
:So you brought the guests there, you
connected them with the experience.
699
:They're gonna go and it's gonna be
facilitated by that third party operator.
700
:But there's value, there's additional
revenue that you can create through
701
:partnerships and that's a way to,
get some money flowing back in some
702
:additional revenue for you based on
what you've built and what you're
703
:bringing to that area without being
something that you necessarily
704
:have to facilitate or invest in.
705
:The same with restaurants.
706
:I, if you've got two, three restaurants
that, that you mentioned go and
707
:talk to 'em and say, you know what?
708
:I wanna put one of your menus in each of
my tents and I'd love it if you'd give
709
:me a coupon for 10% off for my guests
if they come and they eat at your place.
710
:And, or maybe even create your
own little coupon or something so
711
:that they have a way to track it.
712
:So you come back, say, let's try
it for three months, and you come
713
:in at the end of three months and
they've got 40 tickets stacked up.
714
:They know that, you've brought that
many people into their business.
715
:And so maybe you work out again, some
sort of a referral, some kind of a bonus
716
:or a credit or something on the back.
717
:And so there, there's ways to
make revenue and create those
718
:additional revenue streams outside
of, having to do something yourself.
719
:Stephanie Bias: That's
a great point, Zach.
720
:That's been really successful
for us at Camp Aramoni too.
721
:We're in a pretty, I don't wanna
say touristy area, but within
722
:nearby state park there are a lot
of different businesses offering
723
:different activities, kayaking,
whitewater rafting, believe it or not.
724
:So I, yeah, I would really agree with
Zach that you should reach out to these
725
:people and talk about that finder's fee.
726
:Chris Jeub: In fact, if I could add
on to the add-on getting involved
727
:with the Chamber of commerce, I
have found to be just a goldmine.
728
:You're the cool kid in the Chamber
of Commerce among all the dentists
729
:and realtors and things like that.
730
:You're the glamping person
and and you really are cool.
731
:And they love to connect
with area, an area.
732
:Cool accommodation.
733
:Brian Searl: All right.
734
:I wanna switch this for a second.
735
:I'd love to catch up with
Alessandro 'cause it's been a
736
:while since we had him on the show.
737
:Do you wanna, just for the people
who maybe didn't see you on the first
738
:appearance you had here and are gonna
get to know you as you continue to
739
:appear on the show, just tell us a
little bit about what you have going on.
740
:Alessandro, please.
741
:Alessandro van de Loo: Yeah, sure.
742
:Actually my family has been in like outer
hospitality business for many years now.
743
:I think last summer we celebrated the
40th anniversary of them in the business.
744
:But our brand Vaan called Quarter, which
in Italian means holiday with your heart.
745
:So really personal was
founded four years ago.
746
:Actually quite a bad timing because we
had a covid crisis rushing in to our
747
:operation, like really in our first years.
748
:But what we are trying to do, we started
with actually two locations that belonged
749
:to my parents for many times and now we.
750
:Had this idea to create a little
chain of boutique locations and
751
:in like our terms, boutique is
between 50 and 350 units on a site.
752
:And the advantage of have, having
like several locations is that we are
753
:trying to build a guest community.
754
:So we are investing quite a lot in like
our database, our CRM strategies keeping
755
:up on like our social media community.
756
:And at the end we I mean we are aware
that people are actually booking
757
:one holiday a year because in, in
Europe we are mainly serving the
758
:school holiday for family with kids.
759
:So normally people are
doing it once a year.
760
:Sometimes they visit us like twice, but
it's always like one bigger period and one
761
:maybe weekend or like couple of days stay.
762
:But by, by offering them like the same.
763
:The same kind of service
on different locations.
764
:We give them the opportunity to
change destination every year,
765
:but finding the concept that they
apparently like and yeah, that,
766
:that's actually what we're doing.
767
:We are opening a new resort that will
be ready summer:
768
:It's a lake, Trasimeno lake, so it's
just one and a half hour north of Rome.
769
:And yeah, then we take it from there.
770
:So we will have this up and running.
771
:That's number nine.
772
:And then we will see like what
opportunities are coming on our way.
773
:And besides this, we are quite
yeah organized to distribute
774
:our holidays ourselves.
775
:You were saying like 50% direct?
776
:We are doing roughly 60% direct.
777
:And my personal job within the company
is more on the marketing and sales part.
778
:My task is to get this 60% up to
probably 70, 75%, which is I think the
779
:highest we can realistically reach.
780
:And to give you some numbers, we are
doing around 35,000 bookings a year.
781
:And also like running all
the FMBs on every site.
782
:We have a restaurant and
a shop, and we are running
783
:everything within our business.
784
:Brian Searl: Where do you, I'm curious
where you see the European glamping
785
:market headed in the next few years.
786
:Generally speaking,
787
:Alessandro van de Loo: I think
generally speaking, what's the most
788
:interesting thing is that Europe has
a strong tradition in regular camping.
789
:And until 10, 12, 15 years ago you
had like people going to campings
790
:on holiday and people going to
hotels or resorts or whatever.
791
:What we are seeing now, and I think
glamping is playing a big part in
792
:this transition, is that basically
every family with kids in Europe
793
:is a potential target for us.
794
:So people are switching a
lot between type of holidays.
795
:Maybe one year they just
rent a holiday home.
796
:One year they go glamping.
797
:One year they go to Asia then one
year they stay home because they are
798
:renewing like the garden or whatever.
799
:It's really our target group is
growing a lot, but the loyalty
800
:of customers is getting smaller.
801
:So the way we approach
them is really changing.
802
:So that's I think point number one.
803
:And I think point number two
is that at this moment two
804
:type of initiatives popping up.
805
:In Europe.
806
:You have this like very big operations
normally backed up by like investment
807
:funds or private equity companies that
are like building crazy results with
808
:a lot of very professional facilities.
809
:But in my opinion, sometimes a bit,
a lack of personality they're just
810
:technically perfect, but the soul is
sometimes a bit missing or it's very fake.
811
:And then you have on the other
side is very small operations
812
:that I have 5, 6, 10, 15 units.
813
:And those ones are the ones that are
really done with a lot of passion.
814
:And I think they are actually serving
very different needs of customers.
815
:But also here a customer can one time.
816
:Decide to go to the big
professional destination.
817
:And the other time they
just picked the small one.
818
:So it's really we really
see like this this blurred
819
:borders between the businesses.
820
:And what we are noticing in Europe is
that you have, traditionally, you have
821
:hotels holiday resorts attraction parks,
so yeah, the Disney World or whatever.
822
:And in the last years we saw
that these three categories
823
:are really moving together.
824
:So you have this big attraction
businesses that are creating beds.
825
:So giving the guests the
opportunity to sleep over.
826
:And the big campsite or
glamping operations that are
827
:investing in attractions.
828
:So it is really at the end it's
outer hospitality and you can
829
:attack it from different angles, but
the outcome will be very similar.
830
:And that's really a trend
over here at the moment.
831
:Brian Searl: All right, Zach, I have
three questions for you all in a row.
832
:Ready?
833
:Number one is rebuttal or
thoughts on that, right?
834
:As it relates to the glamour market
in the United States, Canada.
835
:Is that kind of the same way it's headed?
836
:Two is it the same in The Bahamas?
837
:And then you can segue into
telling us about what we were
838
:doing down there, please, because
I really wanna hear about that.
839
:And then three, do you need like any
kind of a show host to go stay and
840
:test out things in The Bahamas, maybe
do a live show from down there, or.
841
:Zach Stoltenberg: Yeah, so I, I would
echo a lot of what Alessandro was saying.
842
:I think the US glamping market
I'd like to say we're we're
843
:teenagers right now, right?
844
:Like the industry's starting to evolve
and mature a little bit finding our way.
845
:We're starting to grow up a little bit.
846
:This last week I actually
spent out at Zion.
847
:Utah.
848
:And they stayed with big Noel Dutson
and his team with OpenSky was absolutely
849
:blown away by, by what they've built,
what they've done in the last two years.
850
:And they've really truly raised the
bar for what, luxury glamping means.
851
:These guys are doing it
right and they're killing it.
852
:And when you look at an area
like Zion, it's a huge demand.
853
:It's a huge market, but
it's also hit saturation.
854
:You look at the number of
campgrounds and RV resorts and
855
:everything that's been developed
out there in the last five years.
856
:There's tons and tons even, within 10
miles of their site, I'll bet there's
857
:over a thousand units that are available.
858
:And, working with them and talking
through what some of their goals
859
:are for growth and expansion.
860
:Does it make sense to keep
investing in some of those areas?
861
:And one of the things that I told
them, I said, they've worked so
862
:hard to differentiate themselves
and really focus on guest experience
863
:and delivering this luxury.
864
:I.
865
:Accommodation.
866
:Nobody else in that market, even though
it's busy and saturated, nobody is coming
867
:close to delivering what they're doing.
868
:And so I think when we look at
the glamping market, when we
869
:look at especially some of these
areas of the country that we're
870
:seeing a large concentration of
new developments, the Grand Canyon
871
:Smoky, Mountains hill Country, Texas.
872
:I think these operators that are really
targeting a top tier quality, luxury guest
873
:experience, they're gonna be just fine.
874
:I think as we come into, some
of those saturated markets, it's
875
:gonna be the people at the bottom
that are really gonna struggle.
876
:It's gonna be the guys that started
with five or 10 units haven't really
877
:done any sort of iteration or additions.
878
:They haven't invested in their site
since they opened, five years ago.
879
:And it's gonna be the smaller operators,
I think that are really gonna struggle to,
880
:to differentiate themselves and to keep
up with an ever increasing demand for a
881
:higher level of guest expectation on site.
882
:Brian Searl: But they can, right?
883
:There are ways that they can.
884
:Do They can.
885
:Zach Stoltenberg: Absolutely.
886
:Absolutely.
887
:Yes.
888
:Yeah.
889
:And in a lot of ways, a lot of these
big established operators that we've
890
:seen come on board, hit the ground,
really, got a lot of traction in the
891
:marketplace and then they sold out to
private equity groups and after that
892
:acquisition, we're starting to see now.
893
:Kind of a pullback where some of these,
established industry names have laid
894
:off lots of their staff that were
people that have been with them from the
895
:beginning, that, that built that business.
896
:They pulled back on expansion plans.
897
:They're trying to make those
operations more lean and more
898
:efficient and more profitable because
that's what private equity does.
899
:And we're starting to already see some
of those times turn especially some
900
:of the established industry operators.
901
:And I think that's a real opportunity
for the smaller independent folks
902
:to say, you know what yeah, we
don't have the budgets of some of
903
:these big established companies, but
we're gonna do something different.
904
:We're gonna focus on creating
an authentic experience.
905
:I think that's really what
Alessandra was talking about.
906
:Really creating something that, that
there's care, there's a tension.
907
:And that's really what OpenSky
has done so well, is create this,
908
:really unique luxury, personalized
attention to detail and experience.
909
:So I think that's what I see industry-wide
in, in the US is some of these areas are
910
:starting to get saturation, but the people
are really focusing on guest experience
911
:and customer satisfaction communication.
912
:They're gonna be just fine and
they're gonna continue to be
913
:differentiators in the market.
914
:So to give you some insight on
Bahamas one of our first international
915
:projects that we're working on,
we're pretty excited about that.
916
:Working with a really incredible owner
and investor that has a very unique
917
:vision for what he wants to build there.
918
:The properties are a couple of
different islands in The Bahamas.
919
:And there's it's a very desirable area.
920
:Several of the cruise ships own
islands that are across the ocean or
921
:across the harbor from where we're at.
922
:It's already a hotbed for tourism.
923
:But the focus is to create an
off grid sustainable eco-resort.
924
:And the properties, currently it's two
uninhabited islands in The Bahamas.
925
:So we spent a couple days down there
with the owner and with some of his
926
:team of people that are really focused
on bringing this thing to life.
927
:And it's very different.
928
:There's definitely some logistical
challenges we're dealing with.
929
:We ha in, in the U.S, I
can design anything, right?
930
:Because chances are, within 30 to 50
miles, you've got a lumber yard, you've
931
:got, shipping and transportation,
you've got utilities available.
932
:Really looking at this
site there's nothing there.
933
:There's not a way to get a truck there.
934
:We're not getting deliveries there.
935
:There's no utilities anywhere.
936
:And so how do we kind of pivot
and I think, Chelsi's, I see
937
:you're smiling 'cause that's
exactly what you've had to do.
938
:But it's created a
really unique challenge.
939
:It's fun now that we're starting to
work through some of the design pieces
940
:of this because it's not just designing
an incredible unit that somebody's
941
:gonna want to come and spend a week at.
942
:It's still maintaining all those
creature comforts to focus on guest
943
:experience and then figuring out.
944
:How do we package that all where we can
ship it, to The Bahamas and then get it
945
:on a boat and then get it off of the boat
and onto an island and get it set up.
946
:So it's proved so far to be a really
fun, really interesting project.
947
:So we'll see where it ends up.
948
:But like I said, it's one
of my favorite things.
949
:Everybody asks me always what's your
favorite project that you've worked on?
950
:And then, and I give them
the same answer every time.
951
:It's whatever I'm working on right now.
952
:Because it is just fun to pour
your heart and your soul and your
953
:passion for what you're doing
into each one of those projects.
954
:So we're in the thick of it
on that one right now, so it's
955
:been a lot of fun and exciting.
956
:I think that just
957
:Brian Searl: highlights
right, the need for.
958
:What, maybe not the need for,
but the benefit of having
959
:expertise where you need it.
960
:I can buy an island in The Bahamas
and I have this team together that
961
:has this vision and they've, built
or imagined what my dream is, but now
962
:I need somebody to actually execute
on it in your case, what do I do?
963
:How do I get the permitting?
964
:How do I figure out all those
logistics things like that.
965
:It's the same with our sponsor
that I forgot to mention.
966
:Horizon.
967
:Outdoor, Hospitality.
968
:Bringing in experts like that
who can help you manage your
969
:campground, Scott Foose and his team.
970
:Thank you guys for sponsoring
the show as always, and I'll try
971
:to remember to mention you more
than this at end of the show.
972
:But everybody, like everybody sticks
around for the end of the show, right?
973
:Because Zach and all of our
guests are talking and they
974
:don't wanna miss anything.
975
:So it really, maybe it's better that
I've mentioned you at the end of the show
976
:anyway, but Horizon, Outdoor, Hospitality
great management services for campgrounds
977
:and RV parks and planting resorts too.
978
:But yeah again, just like that
was an intentional segue, right?
979
:But not like making things up.
980
:Those kinds of.
981
:People like you are.
982
:Zach Stoltenberg: Yeah.
983
:It takes a team and we're
a small part on that team.
984
:We've got lots of
different folks involved.
985
:And everybody's pretty equally
passionate about what we're doing,
986
:Brian Searl: all right.
987
:We got a couple minutes left.
988
:Does anybody have any final thoughts
before we head off for the week?
989
:Chris Jeub: We are, I, Zach was a
guest speaker of my mastermind just
990
:last week, and he was staying at
Open Sky, so he got to pop his laptop
991
:open and walk through the tents.
992
:Very impressive.
993
:I think I'm gonna take my wife out
there for a little tax write off and
994
:experience open Sky out in out, out west.
995
:So
996
:Stephanie Bias: it is Valentine's day.
997
:Chris Jeub: You're right.
998
:I should book a night
999
:Brian Searl: For all those men who forgot.
:
00:49:53,332 --> 00:49:53,992
It's Valentine's day,
:
00:49:54,182 --> 00:50:01,092
Stephanie Bias: The look of
surprise on everyone's face.
:
00:50:02,342 --> 00:50:04,052
Zach Stoltenberg: We're all
distracted in Kansas City.
:
00:50:04,052 --> 00:50:07,022
We got a little parade thing
going on today, but everybody
:
00:50:07,022 --> 00:50:08,857
is wearing red I, I dunno.
:
00:50:10,357 --> 00:50:11,317
Stephanie Bias: Yeah, that's a start.
:
00:50:12,097 --> 00:50:12,667
Brian Searl: That counts.
:
00:50:13,657 --> 00:50:15,697
Alright guys, thanks for
being in another episode here.
:
00:50:15,702 --> 00:50:18,487
If we don't have any final thoughts,
thanks to our recurring guests,
:
00:50:19,087 --> 00:50:22,277
Zach and Chris for, being here and
then obviously our new recurring
:
00:50:22,277 --> 00:50:24,107
guests, Alessandro, Stephanie.
:
00:50:24,527 --> 00:50:26,297
Hopefully it was okay for you guys.
:
00:50:26,297 --> 00:50:27,027
We'll get together, right?
:
00:50:27,027 --> 00:50:28,442
We need, be more forceful.
:
00:50:28,952 --> 00:50:30,812
Interject yourself with presentations.
:
00:50:31,142 --> 00:50:34,472
Feel free to, to speak up whenever
you want, because again, as I've said
:
00:50:34,472 --> 00:50:38,162
before on all these episodes, the
less I talk, the better the shows are.
:
00:50:38,792 --> 00:50:43,282
And then thanks to Eve and Chelsi
for being here and Eve where can they
:
00:50:43,282 --> 00:50:44,402
find out more about Groovy Yurts?
:
00:50:45,419 --> 00:50:47,962
Yves Ballenegger: Groovyyerts.com
would be the best the best way.
:
00:50:47,962 --> 00:50:49,112
Or call us.
:
00:50:49,472 --> 00:50:49,952
We would be happy.
:
00:50:49,952 --> 00:50:51,302
We're on social media as well.
:
00:50:51,302 --> 00:50:53,492
Or just come and visit, or
we'll come and visit you.
:
00:50:54,932 --> 00:50:55,602
Brian Searl: All right, Chelsi.
:
00:50:55,622 --> 00:50:57,112
Where can they find out
more about Aefintyr?
:
00:50:57,942 --> 00:50:58,442
Chelsi Low: Yes.
:
00:50:58,442 --> 00:51:01,212
AefintyrOutdoors.com.
:
00:51:01,592 --> 00:51:06,992
And then I'm also on Instagram, Facebook
and Google Maps, too is a great way to
:
00:51:06,992 --> 00:51:08,627
just find the website if you Google it.
:
00:51:09,377 --> 00:51:09,527
Brian Searl: All right.
:
00:51:09,527 --> 00:51:11,297
Chelsi Low: It was wonderful
talking with all of you.
:
00:51:11,507 --> 00:51:12,077
A pleasure.
:
00:51:12,082 --> 00:51:12,357
Chris Jeub: Yeah, it's great.
:
00:51:12,837 --> 00:51:13,797
Brian Searl: I guess
we have a minute left.
:
00:51:13,797 --> 00:51:15,957
Yves Ballenegger: I love to hear
that in general, the, since the
:
00:51:15,957 --> 00:51:20,272
future is into into this positive
experience into the stories into
:
00:51:20,272 --> 00:51:22,752
really customer service and your story.
:
00:51:22,752 --> 00:51:25,517
Chelsi is inspiring and
yeah, that that's positive.
:
00:51:27,437 --> 00:51:27,677
Brian Searl: Alright.
:
00:51:27,767 --> 00:51:29,117
A couple seconds left, Zach.
:
00:51:29,117 --> 00:51:30,437
Where can they find out
more about Clockwork?
:
00:51:32,197 --> 00:51:38,612
Zach Stoltenberg: Clockwork-ad.com
Clockwork-Adarchitecturedesign.com.
:
00:51:39,452 --> 00:51:42,672
We're also on Instagram and
all the socials as well.
:
00:51:42,982 --> 00:51:44,032
Or come and meet us.
:
00:51:44,092 --> 00:51:47,222
We're going to several different
trade shows and marketing events.
:
00:51:47,252 --> 00:51:50,662
We'll be at the Glamping Show, be
it the other hospitality conference.
:
00:51:50,852 --> 00:51:55,562
We're actually reaching out to do several
traditional hospitality events this year.
:
00:51:55,562 --> 00:52:00,487
So we'll be at HD and trying to teach
the traditional hotel industry of what
:
00:52:00,487 --> 00:52:02,737
opportunity lies in outdoor hospitality.
:
00:52:02,977 --> 00:52:05,047
Brian Searl: So that's
actually an interesting topic.
:
00:52:05,057 --> 00:52:07,637
We should spend a show talking
about that blend, right?
:
00:52:07,637 --> 00:52:10,337
Because I was thinking that when she
was, when Chelsi was talking about
:
00:52:10,337 --> 00:52:12,562
all the, where she gets the bookings
from, that there's just that kind
:
00:52:12,562 --> 00:52:15,742
of unfair advantage with Glamping,
where you can do hip camp and Airbnb.
:
00:52:16,192 --> 00:52:17,152
You're not one or the other, right?
:
00:52:17,542 --> 00:52:20,482
And so you almost have more opportunities
to market yourself in some cases.
:
00:52:20,482 --> 00:52:24,532
But Chris, we're gonna find out more about
either your resort or the Glamping guy.
:
00:52:24,532 --> 00:52:25,342
You can only pick one.
:
00:52:25,987 --> 00:52:27,967
Chris Jeub: Glamping guy.com.
:
00:52:28,207 --> 00:52:31,327
I'm actually just finishing up my
first class eight weeks to launch.
:
00:52:31,367 --> 00:52:34,712
Like we like the, my first students
and I'm very excited about how
:
00:52:34,712 --> 00:52:35,912
that curriculum is unfolding.
:
00:52:36,782 --> 00:52:38,442
Glampingguy.com is my website
:
00:52:39,252 --> 00:52:39,642
Brian Searl: awesome.
:
00:52:39,642 --> 00:52:40,212
Stephanie Camparamone
:
00:52:40,422 --> 00:52:43,002
Stephanie Bias: Camparamone.com
:
00:52:43,482 --> 00:52:44,442
Brian Searl: and Alessandro
:
00:52:45,642 --> 00:52:47,412
Alessandro van de Loo:
Vacanzecolcuore.com.
:
00:52:48,402 --> 00:52:50,262
And it's quite difficult to spell.
:
00:52:50,352 --> 00:52:51,882
Zach Stoltenberg: Yeah, you
might have to spell that for us.
:
00:52:55,537 --> 00:52:57,132
Alessandro van de Loo: It's
actually on the back of my screen.
:
00:52:57,792 --> 00:52:59,292
Brian Searl: It's reversed
the camera's here.
:
00:53:00,762 --> 00:53:02,172
Alessandro van de Loo: Next
time I'll be better prepared.
:
00:53:02,172 --> 00:53:03,462
Brian Searl: Everything's
working against you.
:
00:53:03,462 --> 00:53:03,852
All right.
:
00:53:04,372 --> 00:53:04,822
Thank you guys.
:
00:53:04,822 --> 00:53:07,222
I really appreciate you for joining us
on our episode of MC Fireside Chats.
:
00:53:07,222 --> 00:53:09,592
We'll see you next week for our
campground owners focused episode
:
00:53:09,592 --> 00:53:11,992
and all of our recurring guests,
again in one month from today.
:
00:53:12,262 --> 00:53:12,862
Thank you guys.
:
00:53:12,952 --> 00:53:13,432
Have a great day.
:
00:53:13,432 --> 00:53:13,912
Thank you.
:
00:53:14,152 --> 00:53:15,457
Alright everyone.
:
00:53:15,922 --> 00:53:16,257
Thanks everybody.
:
00:53:17,197 --> 00:53:20,947
For joining us for this
episode of MC Fireside Chats
:
00:53:21,007 --> 00:53:22,747
with your host Brian Searle.
:
00:53:22,867 --> 00:53:24,787
Have a suggestion for a show idea.
:
00:53:25,057 --> 00:53:27,577
Want your campground or
company and new future episode?
:
00:53:27,727 --> 00:53:30,607
Email us at hello at moderncampground.com.
:
00:53:30,727 --> 00:53:34,927
Get your daily dose of news from
Moderncampground.com, and be sure to join
:
00:53:34,927 --> 00:53:39,337
us next week from more insights into the
fascinating world of outdoor hospitality.