Brian Searl:
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Welcome everybody to another episode of MC Fireside Chats.
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My name's Brian Searl with Insider Perks.
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I got like a scratchy voice,
guys, like when the intro was
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playing, I was fine before I
started like having this dry cough.
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So that's what I have this, I don't
know if you can even tell on the mic,
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but I like to be transparent on my
shows and talk about things that nobody
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really cares about to start the show.
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But welcome everybody.
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We're missing like a
bunch of people today.
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Joe Duemig over in Australia.
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Congrats to him.
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He's at a Australian Campground
Owners conference over there,
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bringing his apps into a new market.
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So super exciting to see his success.
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Scott Foos has a meeting.
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Kevin Thueson traveling.
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Kevin, there's mobile phones.
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I just wanna point that out to
you, Kevin, like you can jump on.
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Like look at Sir Glamps-a-lot,
Devon, he's at a job site.
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He's all up in this stuff helping us out.
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Devon Towle: Yes, sir.
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Brian Searl: And then Zach and
Casey, like Zach and Casey basically
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just said we accept your calendar
invite, we're gonna show up.
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And sorry my dog is messing with me.
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And we're just, then we're just
not gonna come on the show.
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If that happens, here's my little dog.
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Devon Towle: Nice.
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I got my one.
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Brian Searl: She's got lap dog.
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She's gotta have all the attention.
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So anyway, like I was listening
to you guys before the show.
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I was telling these two gentlemen
we're gonna talk about the businesses.
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So I wanna have you guys
introduce yourselves in a second.
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And then we're gonna talk about
Global Glamping, some of the
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cool stuff they have going on.
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Treebones Resort.
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My eyes are better now, John.
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I fixed that problem.
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Thanks for correcting me.
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We're gonna talk about that stuff and some
of the cool things they have going on.
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And then maybe we're gonna have a really
cool discussion on 3D printing because
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both of these gentlemen are involved
in some capacity, which I'm sure they
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will tell you during their intros.
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So you guys wanna briefly
introduce yourselves.
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Let's start with John 'cause he doesn't
have a cool name, like Sir Glamps-a-lot.
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No offense, John, but.
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John Handy: Yeah.
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Brian Searl: I don't have any.
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John Handy: My name's John Handy.
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My wife Corinne and I
own Treebones Resort.
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We built it and opened it 20 years ago.
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Brian Searl: Congratulations, John.
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I'm looking forward to
talking more about that.
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Devon or Sir Glamps-a-lot, or.
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Devon Towle: Yes, sir.
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What's up, MC Fireside Chats.
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My name's Devon Allen
Towle, AKA Sir Glamps-a-lot.
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I'm the Founder and CEO of a
company called Global Glamping.
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Started off as a architect and
housing consultant for Palm Harbor
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Homes in San Antonio, Texas.
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Free advertising for them about 15 years
ago, and ultimately wanted to do my own
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little tiny home community before eco
tours and glamping was even like a thing.
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And so when I moved to Montana seven years
ago I have an entrepreneurial background.
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One of my companies is called
Elevate, which is a skateboarding,
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snowboarding, lifestyle brand, outdoor
adventure travel, and wanted to build
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a little indoor skate park for the
local community for the wintertime.
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Found out about glamping.
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I thought it was a legit joke.
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I didn't know it was like a real thing.
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This was seven years, so it was still
a brand new industry here in the US.
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Bought some raw land in Montana, had
a warehouse, built a skate park needed
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a way to cash flow the property.
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So I put my property on Hip Camp and
was doing $25, $30 bucks a night.
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Had a little skate park going,
saved up, built the yurt.
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And fast forward a year, we ended
up getting nominated for the
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best Hip Camp in all of Montana.
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Out of 6,000 locations,
I was in the top 10.
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I ended up winning by the, and then got
Forbes and then going through zoning
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and permitting and all that other stuff.
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I recognized that this industry was like
the wild west and the industry needed
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some people to help, guide the industry.
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And so I started Global Glamping.
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Fast forward seven years now,
we've been featured in quite
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a few major publications.
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The most recent big award was
for business elites 40 under 40,
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and I just turned 40 last month.
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So literally barely made
it by the nick of time.
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So that was super cool.
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And now we have 15 resorts with over
a hundred short term rental in the
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ecotourism space, about 34 properties.
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And we've literally helped thousands of
people with guests and also developments.
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And so we specialize in ecotourism
and developing locations.
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I'm actually here at our Guardian Ranch
location in San Diego, California, or
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in Escondido in San Diego, California.
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With the 3D printed tiny houses from
Azure printed homes as a world's
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first ever, we've been able to get
three decks framed out plumbing
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and water lines done in three days.
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So all of you that weren't on
the call, there's no excuse.
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Brian Searl: That's true, man.
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That's true.
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Thanks for being here.
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Like you're not too
far from me in Montana.
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I know you're not in Montana right now.
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We just covered that.
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But I'm in Calgary.
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I live here permanently.
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Devon Towle: Oh nice!.
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Brian Searl: So just North of you.
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Not too far away.
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Did I hear you say like you
were bootstrapped, right?
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Is that what I heard?
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Devon Towle: Yeah,
completely bootstrapped.
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We've never had any ambassador.
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I was just doing this to get people
into nature and do some tent camping
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and it's become this thing now.
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So it's been a really exciting.
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Brian Searl: So this is a super
interesting question for me because
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I am like, I'm also bootstrapped and
there's obviously a place for investment
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capital for certain use cases, but I
think this is an interesting conversation
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to have simultaneously that will
allow us to explore how your business
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is built or businesses were built.
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And that is you see a lot of people on
LinkedIn, especially since the pandemic
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who are, and not speaking negatively
for or against whatever, but who are,
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I'm an investor come investor with
me putting money into my company.
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We'll give you fractional shares of
this or fractional shares of that.
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Or like you can make so much
money in the RV park space or
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the glamping space or whatever.
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And that's a viable path
to success in some cases.
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I don't know that I fully agree with
the fractional share thing, but that's
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obviously just my opinion for sure.
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There are definitely methods
of profit behind there.
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But it's not the only way, and I think
that story gets lost sometimes, is that
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there is ways that you can bootstrap from,
all the way down to like you said you
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started, and I want you to talk more about
this, but your $25, $30 a day, tent sites
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or whatever on Hip Camp it's not as easy
as like getting a check written for you
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for 5, 10, 50, a hundred million dollars,
but sometimes it's more rewarding.
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What do you think?
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Devon Towle: Oh man, I, and I completely
agree, and that's actually another reason
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I started this company because I've been
able to get creative with financing.
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And even my first deal, I did a,
it's called Glamping Rev Share
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to where we have five acres.
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There was a gentleman that was in in
Montana, in Florence, Montana, which is
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the next little town to Stevensville.
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It's where they, to film
to show him Yellowstone.
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And I had, someone had told me that
he had a bunch of yurts and so I
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called them and I was like, Hey man.
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I heard that you have a bunch of
yurts that you're trying to sell, you
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haven't really been able to sell them.
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I could do a display model as well
as, share the revenue with you.
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So I was like, I'll do the
management, I'll do the listing.
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I'll give you half of the
revenue, help you sell your yurts.
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And that's how we got the yurt.
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I paid for the deck.
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He supplied the yurt,
place for $ 500 bucks.
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Built my own little fire.
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Only had a porta-potty.
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I was afraid that people were gonna
leave bad reviews, but actually
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again, people get analysis paralysis.
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And I did add a desperation and sure
enough, like we got good reviews because
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the porta-potty was always clean, and
again, like I just had to generate
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revenue and we were getting $75, a
hundred bucks a night, and I knew if I
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could do it, with one, I could scale it.
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And that's how I've been able to
scale my business was I do rev
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share deals with people and then
they would generate a cash flow.
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They'd buy the structure, and then
I'd buy them out after a few years.
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And so now we do that on pretty
much all of our locations and we'll
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even invest in other sites depending
on, if it's feasible or not.
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But we do 50-50 to where we'll
sell the structure, we'll put
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it up on our qualified land.
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They get half of the rental income
and then after five years they can
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sell it to us at an agreed upon price.
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We can broker a deal and
then, sell it to a commission.
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They can sell it to another,
structure partner or they can move
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it to one of our other sites or
move it to their own location.
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Develop their own sites because as
90% of the people in the industry,
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if they, have been in this industry,
that's the biggest thing is finding
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the capital to do the developments.
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And so I've been able to find a
workaround 'cause I haven't, I didn't
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have the best credit when I got started.
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I didn't have it going, so I had
to get creative and this rev share
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model has been a game changer for me.
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Brian Searl: Yeah, that's all
that resonates with me, right?
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I didn't, even to the last point,
like the bad credit when I started
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like in 2010, 2011 or whatever I never
took a big loan from a bank either.
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Like looking back on it, I'm
like, I can't believe I was that
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stupid, but I had no other choice.
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At one point, I think I had
$150,000 in credit card debt,
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like long time ago, right?
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But that's how I was building my business.
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And then I was turning it over, right?
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Very quickly.
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But that ability to just like, that
would never fly with investors, right?
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The kinds of things that, like I've done
over the years to build my business that
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were like, I'm gonna just go all in this.
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'cause I think it's right.
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And an investor would look to
that oh my God, are you crazy?
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You're never doing that with my money.
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But it worked.
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And so that's the flexibility
is what appeals to me too.
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Devon Towle: The barrier to entry
for this type of real estate
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investment is a fraction of the
cost of your typical Airbnb or other
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real estate investment where you
need 500,000 to a million dollars.
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You could literally get started with
some raw land a bell tent, a little
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solar battery bank, and two to $3,000.
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And that's not the ideal way to do it,
but where there's a will there's a way.
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Brian Searl: Yeah.
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But that creativity is
the key to it, right?
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And again, I'm not saying that you
can't be successful other ways.
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Of course you can.
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There's plenty of models proven out.
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There's lots of great groups out there.
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Kevin's is one, right?
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They have a lot of great investors
behind their company and they've been
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extremely successful with KCN Campgrounds.
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See, I even talked nice about
you, Kevin, when you're not here.
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He's not gonna watch the show, but.
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But like that, yeah, that stuff,
the way that you can just.
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It's harder for sure, I guess
is what I'm trying to say.
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It's harder, it requires more
creativity and innovation in the
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beginning to a certain extent.
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Especially because you have that ability
to be more flexible and thus and I think
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it also takes longer, but the reward of
but your boots into the mud and building
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the things and doing what you're doing,
standing at the construction site and
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seeing it all come together, right?
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Like you probably at this point in
your business, you probably don't
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need to be the guy standing there,
but I have a sense you maybe enjoy it.
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Devon Towle: Right now as I'm building
out the construction crews and everything
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it is a necessity for me to be on site.
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I don't have to be with the guys all the
time, the responsible young gentlemen.
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But yeah, it is, it's like
I like being out here.
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I like being able to work remotely.
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That's another thing I love
about ecotourism and glamping is.
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You have internet, you have all the
amenities that you would normally
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have at a hotel, but now, my view is
overlooking a 40 acre, horse sanctuary.
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So it's a lifestyle man.
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And, getting in God's creation,
getting outdoors, being able
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to, connect to community.
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That's the reason why I'm
so passionate about it.
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Brian Searl: For sure.
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I wanna come back and look at, talk
more about your 3D homes and how
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the business is going in a second.
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I wanna get to John.
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I don't wanna leave him
sitting there too long.
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John, how you doing?
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John Handy: I'm doing well, thank you.
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Brian Searl: Tell us about Treebones
Resort and how you guys got started.
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It's been 20 year journey, so
can you think back that long?
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And I know I just say that 'cause
I have a short-term memory.
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I can't remember what I had
for breakfast yesterday, so I'm
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trying, I'm counting on you.
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John Handy: It Treebones Resort
actually is 20, 20 years old.
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This past November.
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But it got started when I was 27.
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My wife and I were 26 and 27, and we we
bought a piece of land in Big Sur and
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it was a, we did a really risky thing.
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We bought it, it's on the ocean.
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We had an interest only loan with
a five year balloon payment at the
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end, which is a very foolish kind
of thing for any young person to do.
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But we love the property.
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We weren't buying it
because it was commercial.
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A year after we bought it, it got rezoned
commercial without our asking, and
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it's called Visitor Serving Commercial.
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So Big Sur actually picked out
that piece of land and said that
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would be a good place for a hotel
or a restaurant or store or both.
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We changed our dream and we spent about
a decade just thinking about what we
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would do, but this was all money that.
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Was just a young couple was just
putting together to do it five years.
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After we bought it, we were
able to pay off the loan.
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Good things happened at work for me.
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I was a toy designer at Mattel Toys.
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And I was hoping for, that kind
of success, but I shouldn't
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have been able to bank on it.
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And then we started
exploring what we would do.
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And the word glamping didn't
exist when we bought the property
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and it didn't actually come out
until a year after we opened.
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So glamping, the word came out
in:
2005
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figured out what glamping was for us.
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And I was traveling a lot from Mattel
and staying in hotels and they're like
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little miniature versions of your home.
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And it gets old after a while,
it's you're not really the lodging
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part wasn't an experience, so we
wanted to make it an experience and
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we did like to camp as a family.
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And one thing led to another
and we discovered yurts.
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We bought our first test
yurt from Pacific Yurts.
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And we loved it on the site.
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It worked really well.
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And that's how we got started.
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But we got business loans, small business
administration loans, construction
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loans, and we took a lot of risk.
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I think what you guys were talking
about earlier about rev shares and
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:
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other things are good ways to do it.
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They're logical, smart ways of doing it.
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:
00:14:18
We didn't have any of that kind of
thought process back in those days.
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And in fact the Coastal Commission of
California and the Monterey County,
295
:
00:14:27
once they did approve our project it
took five years to get the approval.
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00:14:31
But once they did, they wanted us
to build a whole thing at once.
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They didn't, they've had bad experiences
with, piecemealing something together.
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So we didn't really have the
option of starting out small.
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We had to build it out.
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And then through the years we've counted
on our staff our beautiful people that
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come to work for us, and plus all the
wonderful people that visit us, they
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fill us with ideas and thoughts about how
to improve and what to make it better.
303
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00:14:57
And so over the 20 years
we've evolved quite a bit,
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:
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but that's how we got started.
305
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00:15:03
Brian Searl: It's interesting how
many different things have to happen
306
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to have you end up where you are.
307
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00:15:10
I was thinking about this, I dunno, a
couple weeks ago because I'm reading a
308
:
00:15:14
book about it, but how many different
things have to come together, decision
309
:
00:15:17
wise, to leave you where you are
today from as small as like the land,
310
:
00:15:21
like you're not planning that to
the land being commercially rezoned.
311
:
00:15:24
Had it never done that,
would Treebones exist?
312
:
00:15:27
Maybe not.
313
:
00:15:28
Maybe you would've owned a
multimillion dollar hotel empire.
314
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00:15:31
I don't know.
315
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Or Right.
316
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00:15:33
John Handy: I think it is a series
of minor miracles, or not minor,
317
:
00:15:36
some of 'em are major and blessings
that come into making this happen.
318
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00:15:41
And just having the right
idea at the right time.
319
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00:15:44
There's a thing in, so my background
is product design, but there's
320
:
00:15:47
a concept called pent up demand.
321
:
00:15:49
And that's something that everybody
wants it, but it doesn't exist right now.
322
:
00:15:54
And as soon as you make it and
create it, they've always wanted it.
323
:
00:15:58
It's like the iPhone.
324
:
00:15:59
Brian Searl: Yeah.
325
:
00:16:00
It's exactly what I was
about to say, the iPhone.
326
:
00:16:01
Yeah.
327
:
00:16:01
John Handy: We never had that,
but we can't live without it.
328
:
00:16:04
And I think in the case of
glamping, ecotourism and Big
329
:
00:16:08
Sur, it really didn't exist.
330
:
00:16:11
And people were waiting for it.
331
:
00:16:13
They knew they wanted
to come visit Big Sur.
332
:
00:16:17
And there was a lot of 'em that were
looking for the most unusual experience
333
:
00:16:21
or unique experience that was close
to the land that they could get.
334
:
00:16:25
But a lot of that didn't happen.
335
:
00:16:27
There was regular camping
and then there was motels and
336
:
00:16:31
then there was luxury resorts.
337
:
00:16:33
But this was combining
all of those things.
338
:
00:16:36
And I think the elements that go into
making Treebones successful is the site.
339
:
00:16:41
Number one is where we are.
340
:
00:16:42
We're in Big Sur.
341
:
00:16:44
We're looking over at the ocean.
342
:
00:16:45
We're on Cape San Martin.
343
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00:16:47
So we have 180 degree views of the ocean.
344
:
00:16:50
Behind us are spectacular mountains
that come right down to us.
345
:
00:16:54
But second would be our
staff that live on site.
346
:
00:16:57
So 31 people live in this property
too, and it makes it so that
347
:
00:17:02
it's more personal for them.
348
:
00:17:04
And then the other part of
it is just the amenities.
349
:
00:17:07
So we have fine dining.
350
:
00:17:09
We have a sushi bar, omakase
sushi bar with two fabulous chefs.
351
:
00:17:13
Yancy Knapp is the head sushi chef there.
352
:
00:17:16
And we have DJ is his assistant
and those guys put out a great 14
353
:
00:17:22
course omakase meal five days a week.
354
:
00:17:25
And we also have the lodge restaurant
with Kyle Walker is our executive chef.
355
:
00:17:31
That's a price fixed dinner.
356
:
00:17:33
But we didn't start out with that.
357
:
00:17:34
We started out with barbecue and
Trit tip and things like that.
358
:
00:17:37
But our guests that were coming from
San Francisco, LA and from Europe,
359
:
00:17:42
were asking for a higher level of food.
360
:
00:17:46
And so we have those restaurants
and then we also massage and yoga
361
:
00:17:50
and other things that go with it.
362
:
00:17:52
Pool, spa, jacuzzi.
363
:
00:17:54
And so in our case Treebones Resort
is really, yes, you are staying
364
:
00:17:59
in a yurt or you're staying in the
autonomous tent or the Cove Azure home.
365
:
00:18:05
But you're not suffering
while you're there.
366
:
00:18:07
You're actually living luxuriously.
367
:
00:18:09
You're off the grid.
368
:
00:18:10
You have a low carbon footprint, but
you're enjoying your time and you're
369
:
00:18:14
enjoying your meals and your experience.
370
:
00:18:16
That's the essence of
what we've got going on.
371
:
00:18:19
But that was, it evolved.
372
:
00:18:23
Devon Towle: Yeah.
373
:
00:18:24
We did something similar at
our glacier resort because it's
374
:
00:18:27
literally an hour in all directions.
375
:
00:18:29
There's no cell phone signal, so we were
able to get starlink up and running.
376
:
00:18:33
We got a restaurant and a bar there,
'cause there's nowhere to eat as well.
377
:
00:18:37
That's another, difficulty that you run
into with these types of locations is
378
:
00:18:42
not having those types of amenities.
379
:
00:18:44
So a lot of 'em, you
have to build it on site.
380
:
00:18:46
So the fact that you have that sushi bar
and then all that other stuff, I'm sure
381
:
00:18:50
like people would love to have that,
because we have simple food, burgers,
382
:
00:18:54
pizza, stuff like that, chicken wings.
383
:
00:18:56
But there's no other place to eat, so you
have to have that type of stuff there.
384
:
00:19:01
Brian Searl: Yeah, I
think that's interesting.
385
:
00:19:03
Like just we were talking about decisions
and I know you turned off your camera
386
:
00:19:05
for a second, I dunno if you were
walking around and listening to it all.
387
:
00:19:07
But we were just talking about the
number of decisions that come into
388
:
00:19:09
play as you make and build a business.
389
:
00:19:12
And just the different directions
that all those could take you.
390
:
00:19:14
And I think and I wanna see if
you gentlemen agree with it, but.
391
:
00:19:17
I'm reading this fascinating book.
392
:
00:19:19
It's called The Midnight Library.
393
:
00:19:20
It's total fiction.
394
:
00:19:21
It's not about business but it's about
a woman who wants to die, and then
395
:
00:19:26
she goes and gets stuck in like this
purgatory place called the Midnight
396
:
00:19:29
Library that has like infinite number
of books with every possible outcome
397
:
00:19:34
of what her life could have been like
at every decision point, which is
398
:
00:19:37
basically an infinite number of, right.
399
:
00:19:40
It's a really cool book.
400
:
00:19:41
And I'm only in the, I don't
know, 10, third or 11th chapter.
401
:
00:19:43
I was just reading it on a plane
coming back from vacation yesterday.
402
:
00:19:47
But like just thinking about all those
different things like you never know
403
:
00:19:50
where a decision is going to take you.
404
:
00:19:52
And yeah, that's one of the biggest
things that I try to tell people when
405
:
00:19:56
they come to me for advice on like
entrepreneurship or building a business
406
:
00:19:59
or whatever else is you think about
your decision, for sure, but don't
407
:
00:20:02
overthink your decision because you will
never know what the opposite impact of
408
:
00:20:08
that other decision could have been.
409
:
00:20:10
It could have been a lot better,
it could have been a lot worse.
410
:
00:20:12
It could have been the same but you're
never going to know the outcome of that.
411
:
00:20:15
So there's no such thing
as a perfect decision.
412
:
00:20:18
Would you guys agree?
413
:
00:20:19
John Handy: Yes, I would agree.
414
:
00:20:20
I love the ocean.
415
:
00:20:21
I love boats and fishing
and things like that.
416
:
00:20:24
I have a boat analogy though about
decisions and about going in a direction.
417
:
00:20:29
And I think it rings true to me.
418
:
00:20:31
And one of it is that this
concept of playing it safe I
419
:
00:20:35
don't think you could really build
something if you're gonna be safe.
420
:
00:20:38
'cause the safe thing
is to don't do anything.
421
:
00:20:41
So a ship in a harbor is safe, but
that's not what it was built for.
422
:
00:20:45
That always ran true to me.
423
:
00:20:47
And the second thing is that you've
got this giant vessel with huge motors,
424
:
00:20:54
but you can't steer it, unless it's
moving forward you have to start moving
425
:
00:21:00
and then you can make adjustments.
426
:
00:21:02
But if you're just sitting there without
any propulsion, you're not going anywhere.
427
:
00:21:07
You cannot steer that boat.
428
:
00:21:09
It's steered by motion.
429
:
00:21:11
And that's been true of our business where
we didn't take the safe route, we took
430
:
00:21:16
the riskier route, but we thought about it
before we did it, but we still took risks.
431
:
00:21:22
And then secondly, we started moving
forward before we knew everything.
432
:
00:21:26
'Cause we didn't know everything
about running a resort.
433
:
00:21:30
Brian Searl: And you still don't do you?
434
:
00:21:31
John Handy: And I don't.
435
:
00:21:32
And I have to keep myself
humble and it's not easy.
436
:
00:21:35
It's not hard to keep myself humble.
437
:
00:21:37
It's easy to keep myself humble
because I'm humbled every day by
438
:
00:21:41
things that I couldn't predict.
439
:
00:21:42
Like the global economy shifting right
now and travel is shifting from Europe
440
:
00:21:48
and Canada that were coming here.
441
:
00:21:50
That's been really halted recently.
442
:
00:21:53
And also we have a road closure
in Big Sur, North of us.
443
:
00:21:56
So all of the traffic that would
come down, highway one from the
444
:
00:21:59
north, has to come all the way around
a mountain and add an hour and a
445
:
00:22:03
half to their trip to get to us.
446
:
00:22:05
And you can still reach us from the south.
447
:
00:22:07
But that's something unpredictable.
448
:
00:22:09
It keeps you pretty humble when you're
trying to run a business 'cause you
449
:
00:22:12
don't know what next year brings,
but you have to be agile and you
450
:
00:22:17
have to adjust and you have to make
moves, based on what's happening.
451
:
00:22:21
And also people will tell you.
452
:
00:22:25
Like I said, coming from the product area.
453
:
00:22:27
Our consumer was a child and
they had no brand loyalty.
454
:
00:22:31
They were fickle, and they wanted
whatever was cooled this year,
455
:
00:22:35
they didn't care about last year.
456
:
00:22:37
But you had to listen to the children
to tell you what they wanted.
457
:
00:22:40
And we always tease some of the designers
in my group would be disappointed by a
458
:
00:22:43
bad focus group or a bad test result.
459
:
00:22:47
But I said, what happened?
460
:
00:22:48
Did the consumer let you down?
461
:
00:22:50
They will never let you down.
462
:
00:22:51
They'll always tell you what is going on.
463
:
00:22:54
And I think that's the thing if
you keep yourself humble, you keep
464
:
00:22:57
your ear to your consumers, you can
make the adjustments you need to.
465
:
00:23:01
Brian Searl: I love your ship analogy.
466
:
00:23:02
I would add one.
467
:
00:23:04
Stopped one, one other point to it, right?
468
:
00:23:06
Sitting in the harbor is definitely,
not the death of a business, but the
469
:
00:23:10
death of major progress in a business.
470
:
00:23:12
I think there's another segment of people
that is much larger that probably start
471
:
00:23:17
the engines and head down the safest
route possible, like the trade route to
472
:
00:23:22
Europe that would had been done hundreds
of thousands or thousands of times.
473
:
00:23:25
But they knew there was no piracy on that
route and they knew there was no icebergs
474
:
00:23:28
and they knew there was no nothing.
475
:
00:23:29
And so you took that safe lane and that
may lead you to a profitable business.
476
:
00:23:33
And you could do some
interesting things on that lane.
477
:
00:23:36
You could even steer just a
little bit left or a little bit
478
:
00:23:38
and end up at a different port.
479
:
00:23:39
But you're not gonna be
Christopher Columbus.
480
:
00:23:41
And maybe Christopher Columbus is
the wrong, analogy to give 'cause
481
:
00:23:45
apparently he wasn't such a great guy.
482
:
00:23:46
But either way you understand my point.
483
:
00:23:48
And so I think that's interesting to me.
484
:
00:23:50
The ability of and I see that as, I
don't want to slight anybody, but like
485
:
00:23:54
I see that from the outside looking
in as what an in invest as a group.
486
:
00:24:00
Typical group, not all.
487
:
00:24:01
Typical group with investment capital
is almost required to do, in a lot of
488
:
00:24:06
cases, is to stay in not necessarily the
safe lane, but stay in the things that
489
:
00:24:11
have been proven to work before lane.
490
:
00:24:13
Or the things that at certain, and
we've talked about this on the show
491
:
00:24:16
before like electric pedestals at
your glamping resort or whatever else.
492
:
00:24:21
You get to a certain point where, the
consumer has demanded, X amount of
493
:
00:24:24
electric cars have been purchased, X
amount of campers own electric cars.
494
:
00:24:28
The math problem now adds
up to me owning pedestals.
495
:
00:24:30
Instead of being the first mover to add
them, and then all of a sudden people come
496
:
00:24:33
to you because there's no other place like
the burger joint in the middle of Montana.
497
:
00:24:37
Devon Towle: Yeah.
498
:
00:24:37
And back to, you know what John
was saying too, and what you guys
499
:
00:24:41
were, talking about is nothing
ever goes exactly to plan, right?
500
:
00:24:47
And you can plan all day, you
can run all the numbers, you
501
:
00:24:50
can do this and then that.
502
:
00:24:51
But there's engineering
permitting, there's zoning,
503
:
00:24:54
there's, manufacture delays.
504
:
00:24:56
There's so many different things that
happen to where you just have to persevere
505
:
00:25:01
and you have to be willing to pivot.
506
:
00:25:03
Just don't quit, but pivot.
507
:
00:25:05
And that's something that I've had to
deal with literally on a daily basis.
508
:
00:25:10
Brian Searl: Yeah.
509
:
00:25:10
Devon Towle: So when you go into
whether it's, ecotourism, glamping
510
:
00:25:14
or any other business, especially as
an entrepreneur, you have to be thick
511
:
00:25:18
skinned and know that, the only time
you really fail is when you quit.
512
:
00:25:23
And if you continue just to move
forward and press ahead and go through
513
:
00:25:26
the difficult times and know that,
you might have to move some things
514
:
00:25:31
around or pivot on some certain things.
515
:
00:25:33
And I go to that every day.
516
:
00:25:36
Knowing that hey, some materials
aren't available or whatever.
517
:
00:25:39
Brian Searl: Yeah.
518
:
00:25:39
Devon Towle: So just knowing
that you're gonna have to use
519
:
00:25:42
your outside the box thinking.
520
:
00:25:44
There isn't a, like we have, guide
and roadmaps now, especially, that's
521
:
00:25:48
why we offer our consulting because we
spent literally hundreds of thousands,
522
:
00:25:51
if not mostly, it's been millions of
dollars more over the past seven years
523
:
00:25:56
to help people expedite the process.
524
:
00:25:59
And I was looking for a company like
Global Glamping when I started because
525
:
00:26:02
I paid for real ed real estate education
when I flipped houses or all that
526
:
00:26:06
other stuff, 'cause the experts have
done it and they've made the mistakes.
527
:
00:26:10
So I'd be willing to pay some money
upfront to negate that and collapse
528
:
00:26:15
my timeline because there's a
learning curve with all this stuff.
529
:
00:26:17
So that's actually how Global Glamping
was born, because I was looking for a
530
:
00:26:22
company to help me with the renderings
and the site maps and the proformas
531
:
00:26:26
and the pitch decks and like the
different property manager software.
532
:
00:26:29
Unless you're in this business, people
don't understand the whirlwind of
533
:
00:26:34
different verticals that you have to work.
534
:
00:26:37
John, you said you've had your
business now for over 20 years,
535
:
00:26:40
so you've seen it before.
536
:
00:26:42
It was, like you said,
even camping or glamping.
537
:
00:26:44
So I know what I've been through
the past seven years, but I couldn't
538
:
00:26:47
imagine, over two decades of having
to pivot and figure out which other
539
:
00:26:51
ways to go and stuff like that.
540
:
00:26:52
So I'm sure you could tell us some stories
about, having to pivot with your business.
541
:
00:26:58
John Handy: Sure.
542
:
00:26:58
Devon Towle: And would you agree, like
that's probably one of the biggest
543
:
00:27:01
things is learning how to pivot
and know that not everything works
544
:
00:27:04
out exactly the way you want it to.
545
:
00:27:05
John Handy: I think agility is the
advantage that a small company has
546
:
00:27:10
over big corporations that have
multiple hotels and businesses.
547
:
00:27:14
You're agile 'cause you're able
to move and change as needed.
548
:
00:27:19
And I think one of the things
that's affected us a lot is staying
549
:
00:27:22
on top of the latest technology.
550
:
00:27:25
And it was funny because Trevor
Noah, on the late show parody
551
:
00:27:30
of Treebones at one time.
552
:
00:27:32
There in the morning, CBS news came and
talked about the unplugging trend and
553
:
00:27:38
they used the human nest at Treebones
and they said, no internet, no cell
554
:
00:27:42
service and you can just comment, unplug.
555
:
00:27:45
And he made fun of us.
556
:
00:27:46
But he was, you know how there's
always truth to it 'cause he's
557
:
00:27:49
saying, I get a load of these places
that say, come prepare to unplug.
558
:
00:27:53
That's because they don't
have cell service or internet.
559
:
00:27:56
And it was true, it was a funny
skit that he did on his show.
560
:
00:28:00
But now we do, we have starlink and
starlink brings cell phone and there's
561
:
00:28:06
probably disadvantages to that in
that now people are reconnected again.
562
:
00:28:11
But it's really technology that
didn't exist for us a while back.
563
:
00:28:15
We had satellite internet, but it had
what was called a fair access plan.
564
:
00:28:19
So it was real slow and you
could only use so much data.
565
:
00:28:23
So it was really difficult.
566
:
00:28:24
And over the last five years,
starlink has changed everything for
567
:
00:28:28
us, but also we're off the grid.
568
:
00:28:31
We don't have a grid for us.
569
:
00:28:33
So the battery storage systems,
the lithium iron phosphate battery
570
:
00:28:37
systems for us have been huge.
571
:
00:28:40
And it's allowed us to run off the
sun and to use that battery power at
572
:
00:28:47
night and really, have seamless power.
573
:
00:28:51
And those are just some of the
technologies that have come into, LED
574
:
00:28:54
Lights as an example, were amazing now
that they're nice and beautiful and warm.
575
:
00:29:00
And even though our lodging
technologies we were talking with Sir
576
:
00:29:04
Glamps-a-lot about the 3D printed homes.
577
:
00:29:07
So Azure printed homes we
bought one of those because
578
:
00:29:11
we're an ecotourist location.
579
:
00:29:14
But one of the things that haunted me is
only 7% of the stuff that we throw into
580
:
00:29:18
the recycle bin actually gets recycled.
581
:
00:29:21
The something like the Azure Home
uses 60,000 water bottles in one home
582
:
00:29:27
and reinforces it with fiberglass and
then uses robotic arms to print it.
583
:
00:29:32
And I wanted to show our guests that's
a really comfortable place to stay.
584
:
00:29:37
It's very luxurious and modern.
585
:
00:29:39
But it's also good for the environment
'cause it's a use for all these recycled
586
:
00:29:44
bottles here in the United States.
587
:
00:29:46
New technology staying on top of that.
588
:
00:29:49
The other one was the autonomous
tents, which are really popular for
589
:
00:29:52
us, but that was invented by Phil
Parr, who was a partner with us.
590
:
00:29:58
But that's a rev share.
591
:
00:29:59
Like you guys were talking about
earlier, I did a rev share with him
592
:
00:30:02
because it was an unknown type of
construction and he was gonna have to
593
:
00:30:07
supervise it and be really hands-on.
594
:
00:30:09
And so we did that and we formed a
partnership and it's been a really
595
:
00:30:12
good creative partnership at Treebone.
596
:
00:30:15
So it's just like you say, it's pivoting.
597
:
00:30:17
It's watching for the technology,
watching for the things that change
598
:
00:30:20
and don't hang on to the past.
599
:
00:30:22
Move on where necessary, but don't
lose the essence that I think that's
600
:
00:30:27
what we're trying to do at Treebones.
601
:
00:30:30
And one thing I'm gonna tell
you, I might lose power on this.
602
:
00:30:33
I might have to reconnect.
603
:
00:30:34
So
604
:
00:30:34
Brian Searl: I thought you just said you
had this robust solar thing going on, man.
605
:
00:30:38
John Handy: Yeah, I know.
606
:
00:30:39
I'm not plugged in right now.
607
:
00:30:40
My iPad looks like it's got 4% left,
so if I disappear, I'll come back.
608
:
00:30:45
Brian Searl: All right, cool.
609
:
00:30:46
You could disappear now if you want.
610
:
00:30:47
We we'll talk to Sir Glamps-a-lot
for a minute if you just wanna
611
:
00:30:49
go run and get a charger.
612
:
00:30:51
So Sir Glamps-a-lot let's talk about
3D printing for a second and then
613
:
00:30:53
we'll bring in John for his perspective
when he gets back in a second.
614
:
00:30:57
Tell us about what you have going
on first before I ask any questions.
615
:
00:31:02
Devon Towle: That was another
thing, I was looking for consulting
616
:
00:31:04
and assistance with, because
there's so many options, right?
617
:
00:31:07
There's Safari tents, Tree Houses,
geo domes, yurts, aircrete, cabins,
618
:
00:31:14
A-frames like, oh my gosh, there's
just so many different units, right?
619
:
00:31:18
But again, the most difficult
thing in this industry is the
620
:
00:31:21
funding and the financing.
621
:
00:31:23
And Jean, the, one of the co-founders.
622
:
00:31:26
Had seen my products and
my sites on Facebook.
623
:
00:31:30
I forget, Instagram somewhere.
624
:
00:31:32
And he called me and was like, Hey,
we really love your business model.
625
:
00:31:35
We have an amazing product that, the
world's first 3D printed tiny homes.
626
:
00:31:39
And we would love to meet with
you in person to see if we can
627
:
00:31:42
figure out a way to work together.
628
:
00:31:44
So he flew out to our Murfreesboro,
Arkansas location, diamond glamping,
629
:
00:31:50
and we met in person, fell in love with
the site and said, Hey I think that
630
:
00:31:54
there's an opportunity to work together,
since we're not just selling trucks, the
631
:
00:31:58
building we work for, we have multiple
verticals inside of our business.
632
:
00:32:03
And so he was actually able to find an
equipment company to partner up with me
633
:
00:32:09
and I was able to get 25 tiny houses, 20
of the X 180's and five of the X 360's.
634
:
00:32:16
And now over the past, two months
we've been getting them delivered.
635
:
00:32:20
I've been bouncing around to our
different locations and setting them
636
:
00:32:24
up and everything that I've done
so far and then like I said, we've
637
:
00:32:28
done domes, tiny houses, cabins, the
sheds that you can finish out into,
638
:
00:32:33
little cabins and stuff like that.
639
:
00:32:34
We've done 'em all.
640
:
00:32:35
And as far as eco-friendly speed
to market, cost effectiveness,
641
:
00:32:41
ROI longevity, these Azure printed
tiny homes are absolutely amazing.
642
:
00:32:47
What John was saying is obviously
it's made outta recycled materials,
643
:
00:32:51
but also they're plug and play.
644
:
00:32:53
I got the top tier unit, which has
the full insulation, the full solar
645
:
00:32:57
power battery banks the full bathroom
module, the kitchenette, everything.
646
:
00:33:03
And they were roughly around a $100k.
647
:
00:33:05
Their base price was like, $ 59,000
but we were able to rent them
648
:
00:33:09
out for $250 to $500 night.
649
:
00:33:11
I think Treebones even rents theirs
for $700 to $800 a night, and
650
:
00:33:15
they're booked out quite a bit.
651
:
00:33:16
They do get high returns, but again,
like the speed to market, the energy
652
:
00:33:21
efficiency of them, the eco-friendliness
of them, that's another thing that
653
:
00:33:24
people love about this industry is it's
they're temporary structures, right?
654
:
00:33:28
So being able to have a unit that's up
and running with a matter of days is huge
655
:
00:33:34
for this industry because, the longer you
take to get your side up and running, the
656
:
00:33:39
more vulnerable you are to losing your
business because you're not cash flowing.
657
:
00:33:44
So if you can get things up in
cash flowing right away and start
658
:
00:33:47
generating revenue it's a game changer.
659
:
00:33:50
And this has been a game changer for us.
660
:
00:33:51
This is our first season with all
of these units, so we're excited to
661
:
00:33:54
see how they do, but already we've
been able to get up eight of these
662
:
00:33:58
things and literally less than two
months and they're gonna be generating
663
:
00:34:02
a substantial amount of revenue.
664
:
00:34:04
But yeah, being able to find the right
product, the right structure, finding
665
:
00:34:08
the right land that doesn't have a ton
of restrictions, and have to go through
666
:
00:34:12
a two to four year zoning process.
667
:
00:34:14
I got one property right now.
668
:
00:34:17
The one that actually was featured in
Forbes and won of the best Hip Camp.
669
:
00:34:20
It's a good old boys club and they're very
strict when it comes to what they allow
670
:
00:34:25
and don't allow in their little towns.
671
:
00:34:27
Finding the right land that
it's unrestricted, un zoned.
672
:
00:34:31
And being able to set up your
site quickly has been advantageous
673
:
00:34:35
to the success of our business.
674
:
00:34:36
'cause I wouldn't have,
I wouldn't do the same
675
:
00:34:42
I went through, but again,
you having to pivot and learn
676
:
00:34:46
what works and what doesn't.
677
:
00:34:47
'cause no one's ever really
done this stuff before.
678
:
00:34:49
Brian Searl: Yeah.
679
:
00:34:50
And that's the interesting part.
680
:
00:34:51
John, we have you back, but
I think there's a little bit
681
:
00:34:52
of an echo coming from you.
682
:
00:34:53
We tried to unmute you and it's making
weird sounds, so we'll try, if you
683
:
00:34:58
want, I don't know what's happening
if it's just an echo, but anyway what,
684
:
00:35:01
yeah, what interests me is like you
talk about all the choices that are
685
:
00:35:03
available for people now, but like the
choices that you have available now
686
:
00:35:08
is vast seemingly, when you compare.
687
:
00:35:11
What was available even just a few years
ago, but I think we're just getting
688
:
00:35:13
started, especially with 3D printing.
689
:
00:35:15
And you talk about Azure having this
company that does a few different models.
690
:
00:35:19
I'm looking forward to what
we're gonna see in 15, 20 years.
691
:
00:35:22
I think there's a way, I
think there's a thing where
692
:
00:35:25
Devon Towle: I'd say less than that man.
693
:
00:35:27
I'd say five.
694
:
00:35:27
Brian Searl: I'm always the quick
person that like, wants to jump forward.
695
:
00:35:32
So I try to be more conservative sometimes
when I'm talking to shows like this.
696
:
00:35:35
I agree with you.
697
:
00:35:35
Like it just depends on the
scalability of technology.
698
:
00:35:38
Like can they 3D print full
villages in Mexico years ago for
699
:
00:35:42
$4,000 for a little hut, right?
700
:
00:35:44
So like these things are gonna get pretty
cheap, but imagine when designers like our
701
:
00:35:48
company, we do marketing and advertising.
702
:
00:35:52
Imagine when we get our hands on
like the 3D CAD designs and we
703
:
00:35:55
can design some of this really
cool stuff, or AI can do it right?
704
:
00:35:59
And then come up with one.
705
:
00:36:00
Devon Towle: Yeah, I was
actually gonna mention AI.
706
:
00:36:02
Pretty soon you're gonna be able to
just put in a design on an AI and then
707
:
00:36:06
it'll print it out with a 3D printer.
708
:
00:36:08
So that's where we're headed.
709
:
00:36:09
Brian Searl: And that excites me
because then Sir Glamps-a-lot,
710
:
00:36:12
you can go to I don't know, like a
LA Raiders game or whatever else.
711
:
00:36:15
Is it LA Raiders or is it Oakland Raiders?
712
:
00:36:17
I don't know.
713
:
00:36:17
I think it's LA Raiders now.
714
:
00:36:19
Whatever, I just made up a team.
715
:
00:36:21
Devon Towle: Las Vagas.
716
:
00:36:22
It's Las Vegas Ranger.
717
:
00:36:23
Brian Searl: I'm a miserable
Cleveland Browns man.
718
:
00:36:24
I dunno,
719
:
00:36:24
Devon Towle: I'm not from California.
720
:
00:36:26
I just have a project out here.
721
:
00:36:27
So that's more probably John's.
722
:
00:36:29
Brian Searl: All right so anyway,
like whatever, a football team,
723
:
00:36:31
basketball team, college, whatever
imagine just showing up like a night
724
:
00:36:35
before a playoff game or two nights
before a playoff game and renting like
725
:
00:36:38
a lot where you can put up temporary
football helmet style glamping, right?
726
:
00:36:43
And then you let people stay in it for
$500, $700, a thousand dollars a night
727
:
00:36:47
and then you take it all and recycle it.
728
:
00:36:48
'cause NASA's been doing that on
the Space station for 10 years.
729
:
00:36:52
And then you just pack it all up, take it
to the next place and print something new.
730
:
00:36:55
That's gonna be cool.
731
:
00:36:57
John Handy: Yeah.
732
:
00:36:58
Devon Towle: Yeah.
733
:
00:36:58
That's awesome.
734
:
00:36:59
Brian Searl: John, welcome back.
735
:
00:37:00
John Handy: Thank you.
736
:
00:37:01
Sorry for the technical difficulties,
I guess Trevor Noah is correct.
737
:
00:37:05
We're making excuses.
738
:
00:37:07
Brian Searl: It's a good problem to
have I realized this the other day and I
739
:
00:37:10
don't wanna spend too much time on this
'cause I don't like to talk about myself
740
:
00:37:12
too much 'cause we have you guys here.
741
:
00:37:14
But I realized that when I
was on vacation, like I don't
742
:
00:37:16
take very many vacations.
743
:
00:37:18
I work seven days a week, 16 hours a day.
744
:
00:37:19
'cause I really love what I do.
745
:
00:37:21
But when I do take a vacation, I try to
disconnect and it's been harder now that
746
:
00:37:26
like lately, 'cause I've been dealing with
AI and like things are moving so fast.
747
:
00:37:30
That's just my little corner
of the world that I play in.
748
:
00:37:32
But I realized like walking along
a beach in Vancouver Island with my
749
:
00:37:37
girlfriend over the weekend, like this
is a whole different world out here.
750
:
00:37:41
Like it has such a huge benefit to
what you do normally in your day if
751
:
00:37:45
you were able to truly disconnect.
752
:
00:37:47
I think there's a huge benefit there
that so many people in our society,
753
:
00:37:50
because of the constant noise, don't
realize that they're missing until
754
:
00:37:54
they like actually experience it.
755
:
00:37:57
John Handy: Yeah, that's right.
756
:
00:37:57
I got a call from the Wall Street Journal,
like first year we opened and we put
757
:
00:38:02
on our website, come prepare to unplug.
758
:
00:38:05
And they wanted to know about that
trend and I said, no, it's not a trend,
759
:
00:38:09
it's just that's what's happening here.
760
:
00:38:12
And they asked me if we ever get
any executives that come to stay at
761
:
00:38:16
Treebones and what's their reaction
to no ability to talk on a cell phone
762
:
00:38:19
or the internet back in those days.
763
:
00:38:22
And I said to be honest with you,
a lot of them get very nervous
764
:
00:38:24
about that and they get upset.
765
:
00:38:26
And I said, my personal experience
has been that when I leave on
766
:
00:38:30
vacation, I go to a place like Alaska
or somewhere where I'm not gonna be
767
:
00:38:33
able to be in contact if I call the
office and say, you're not gonna be
768
:
00:38:37
able to reach me on a regular basis.
769
:
00:38:39
I can call in maybe once a week or
twice a week, but just take care
770
:
00:38:43
of everything and just do the best
you can and I won't criticize you.
771
:
00:38:47
And my team always rose to those occasions
and the world will work without us.
772
:
00:38:52
If you go and look at astronauts
and go into outer space, that world
773
:
00:38:56
is just existing just fine without
your intimate little involvement.
774
:
00:39:02
And I think we get too connected to
our devices and we need to unplug
775
:
00:39:06
sometimes, we need to get away and
at least at Treebones, we focus
776
:
00:39:10
all the internet on the main lodge.
777
:
00:39:12
So that's the hub of activity.
778
:
00:39:14
But when you go back to your individual
lodging units, with the exception of the
779
:
00:39:19
Cove, which is the Azure home and the
autonomous tents, they have full speed
780
:
00:39:23
internet, but everything else doesn't.
781
:
00:39:26
And that way you have that option
just to unplug and be away from it.
782
:
00:39:29
And, just even kids with video games
learning that they can live without it.
783
:
00:39:34
It's amazing.
784
:
00:39:36
Brian Searl: Can you
live without video games?
785
:
00:39:37
John Handy: I think so.
786
:
00:39:38
Brian Searl: I'm kidding.
787
:
00:39:38
I'm kidding.
788
:
00:39:38
I don't even play video games.
789
:
00:39:40
Devon Towle: I used to be a huge
gamer and then I realized there
790
:
00:39:42
was more important things in life.
791
:
00:39:44
And I don't play video games.
792
:
00:39:45
I haven't played video
games in almost a decade.
793
:
00:39:47
I used to love Halo and FIFA and
794
:
00:39:50
Brian Searl: I just played
the builder ones, right?
795
:
00:39:52
So I'll still play like Fallout or
something where you have to build
796
:
00:39:55
a city or make so many decisions.
797
:
00:39:57
'cause I like to do that from
an entrepreneurial standpoint.
798
:
00:40:00
So I'll play those once in a
while to just de-stress at night.
799
:
00:40:02
But I'm far from a gamer.
800
:
00:40:03
Like I'll pick up a PS five
controller once every couple months.
801
:
00:40:06
For a couple hours.
802
:
00:40:07
Devon Towle: Maybe later on
when I have more time, again, I
803
:
00:40:09
might get back into video games.
804
:
00:40:10
Brian Searl: You're never
gonna have more time.
805
:
00:40:12
You're enjoying what you do Too much, man.
806
:
00:40:13
I used to say that to myself too.
807
:
00:40:15
John Handy: The game is real life.
808
:
00:40:16
Brian Searl: If I have more time and
then I'm like, lemme do this other
809
:
00:40:18
thing that's gonna stress me out.
810
:
00:40:19
And then I.
811
:
00:40:20
Devon Towle: Yeah, for sure.
812
:
00:40:22
I like John's, the game of
real life, that's for sure.
813
:
00:40:24
Brian Searl: It is and it's interesting,
like you can, and I think we're
814
:
00:40:27
blessed, at least I consider myself
blessed to be in this industry of
815
:
00:40:31
glamping, camping, RV parks, all that.
816
:
00:40:33
'cause there's a subset of many more
people in this industry who have already
817
:
00:40:36
experienced that disconnection, either
through their own parks or through
818
:
00:40:40
traveling to other people's parks, or
just having a love of the camping glamping
819
:
00:40:44
industry and coming into it and purchasing
a property to do that same thing.
820
:
00:40:48
But for sure, I can tell, like when I
talk to a client, like you talk about
821
:
00:40:51
going on vacation and disconnecting,
there are clients who, and most of them
822
:
00:40:55
are this way who are like totally fine.
823
:
00:40:57
Like I understand you
need to take a vacation.
824
:
00:40:59
Your team is there, I have
35 people or whatever.
825
:
00:41:02
Like they're not gonna be the
same as you, but we can deal
826
:
00:41:04
with that for a week or two.
827
:
00:41:06
We're not gonna die.
828
:
00:41:07
But there are some clients who like feel
like they are gonna die for that week or
829
:
00:41:12
two weeks that they can't talk to Brian.
830
:
00:41:15
And I think those are the people who
are generally speaking stereotypically,
831
:
00:41:18
are nearer to the business, haven't
learned how to disconnect, are involved
832
:
00:41:21
in too many things that are stressful
at their business and haven't sorted
833
:
00:41:24
some stuff out, but they'll get there.
834
:
00:41:26
But I think we're at a great advantage of
being in this industry from the get-go.
835
:
00:41:30
Would you guys agree?
836
:
00:41:31
John Handy: Yeah, I think so.
837
:
00:41:32
Devon Towle: Yeah.
838
:
00:41:32
It's so untapped still.
839
:
00:41:35
People like us are the ones forging
and pioneering the entire industry.
840
:
00:41:38
So.
841
:
00:41:39
John Handy: It's easy to think of yourself
as absolutely critical to your business.
842
:
00:41:44
And I'm sure there's an
element of that's true.
843
:
00:41:47
But what I've discovered too is if
I delegate things to my other family
844
:
00:41:51
members and to other people that I've
hired, we have a great general manager
845
:
00:41:55
at Treebones and if I delegate to them
and give them the proper amount of
846
:
00:42:00
instruction and maybe some learning
ahead of that great things happen and
847
:
00:42:05
I'm ready to expect the unexpected.
848
:
00:42:07
And that's how we're gonna get to
the next wave of whatever's happening
849
:
00:42:11
at Treebones is through the next
level of teamwork and staff members.
850
:
00:42:16
Brian Searl: Yeah.
851
:
00:42:16
And the only way you figure
that out is to fail, right?
852
:
00:42:18
So what I think John is saying is
if you're an entrepreneur out there,
853
:
00:42:21
the more vacations you take, the more
ways you realize your business fails
854
:
00:42:25
without you, the more things you can
fix, the better you are and the calmer
855
:
00:42:29
your vacations will be in the future.
856
:
00:42:30
So just take a vacation every other week.
857
:
00:42:36
Devon Towle: That's not
the best advice, guys.
858
:
00:42:38
In case people are out
there that was sarcastic.
859
:
00:42:40
Brian Searl: They know if they watch
this show, they should never listen
860
:
00:42:42
to anything that comes outta my mouth.
861
:
00:42:43
But yeah I mean where do you guys'
businesses go in the future, John?
862
:
00:42:46
Like what are your future
plans for Treebones?
863
:
00:42:49
John Handy: It is interesting that we
have had lots of investors come and ask
864
:
00:42:54
if they could buy or buy into Treebones
or have us franchise it and move it other
865
:
00:42:59
places we haven't been wanting to do that.
866
:
00:43:01
Right now there's nothing against
that, but there's a lot of movement for
867
:
00:43:05
people to invest in ecotourism because
there's a lot of people that they only
868
:
00:43:09
wanna put their money into something
that is environmentally friendly.
869
:
00:43:13
And so I've noticed that trend
happening in the last few years.
870
:
00:43:15
We've been a approached a lot
of times, but for now, I talked
871
:
00:43:19
to my whole family about it.
872
:
00:43:21
And we don't have any other partners.
873
:
00:43:23
We own it fully.
874
:
00:43:24
We've paid off our loans.
875
:
00:43:26
But I think we're gonna keep
it as a family and let the
876
:
00:43:29
next generation take it.
877
:
00:43:30
My wife, Corinne and I have
been very hands-on for 20
878
:
00:43:35
years while we're running this.
879
:
00:43:37
And then, all the years that went
into planning it and building it.
880
:
00:43:42
But now we're ready to let that next
generation start to step up and move on.
881
:
00:43:47
And our kids have said they'd rather
have Treebones than the money,
882
:
00:43:51
'cause in the end it's theirs.
883
:
00:43:54
But we're gonna keep it going.
884
:
00:43:56
And then our guests have told us,
please don't ever lose the essence
885
:
00:44:00
of what Treebones is, even though we
are improving and changing things.
886
:
00:44:05
And the essence of Treebones isn't
yurts and or anything like that.
887
:
00:44:09
It's the idea of perching
lightly on the land.
888
:
00:44:12
And it's the idea of living simply.
889
:
00:44:15
And being close to nature and being able
to hear nature and see nature and touch it
890
:
00:44:20
and feel it, but also be safe and warm in
your own place to, to go to bed at night.
891
:
00:44:25
So if we add anything, it's gonna
be with that essence in mind.
892
:
00:44:29
And we're gonna keep it family oriented.
893
:
00:44:31
I'm not saying that's the only way
to do things, but there's a lot of
894
:
00:44:35
corporate hotel chains and there's fewer
and fewer family run businesses that
895
:
00:44:41
the owners and you know the family,
and we know our guests, and I think
896
:
00:44:45
that's what's working for us right now.
897
:
00:44:47
So that's what we're gonna stick
with for the future of Treebones.
898
:
00:44:51
Brian Searl: That's awesome.
899
:
00:44:52
Beautiful.
900
:
00:44:53
I think there are certainly different
paths you can take as, we'll just call it
901
:
00:44:57
for the sake of argument, a regular small
business owner outside of our industry.
902
:
00:45:00
Not sliding at all, but we'll just call
'em regulars for the sake of argument.
903
:
00:45:04
But if you're in the glamping
business, there's so many different
904
:
00:45:05
ways you can take it and all
of them can be right for you.
905
:
00:45:08
John Handy: Sure.
906
:
00:45:08
Brian Searl: It depends on
your audience and who you're
907
:
00:45:10
targeting and what you want to be.
908
:
00:45:11
And if you want to be family owned or
you want to be investor driven or you
909
:
00:45:15
wanna be something in the middle, which
we talked like Kevin is one of those
910
:
00:45:18
groups, I think I can say that I would
say he's in the middle right where he is.
911
:
00:45:21
We have to focus on the
investment side of it.
912
:
00:45:23
We have to give an ROI to our
investors, but also like we care
913
:
00:45:26
about the people who are here.
914
:
00:45:27
We care about their experiences,
we care what they're seeing,
915
:
00:45:30
doing, touching, tasting, whatever.
916
:
00:45:31
And those things are like built
into our, like you can come invest.
917
:
00:45:35
And I don't know that this is true
about Kevin, just to be clear,
918
:
00:45:37
but you can come invest in us,
but these are our ground rules.
919
:
00:45:40
We're gonna provide good experiences
where people were gonna do that.
920
:
00:45:43
And I think that whether that's
Kevin's property or like we've
921
:
00:45:45
talked to dozens of others that we've
entered that've interviewed on the
922
:
00:45:48
show, who all have their different
philosophies of things they're gonna do.
923
:
00:45:51
There's no wrong way to do it
unless you're not understanding your
924
:
00:45:54
market and you don't have a plan or
a vision that you're going after.
925
:
00:46:00
Is that fair?
926
:
00:46:03
Devon Towle: Fair.
927
:
00:46:04
Brian Searl: So what's, yeah,
I was just gonna ask you Devon,
928
:
00:46:07
what's the future for you too?
929
:
00:46:09
Devon Towle: Yeah, so I saw this happening
about 15 years ago when I was doing
930
:
00:46:14
the tiny houses and the market, I just
turned 40, like I said, and if I didn't
931
:
00:46:19
have this business, I still wouldn't
be able to afford a home like this.
932
:
00:46:22
Being, getting creative with financing
and working deals and stuff like that is
933
:
00:46:26
the only way I've been able to purchase
units is because mortgages are insane.
934
:
00:46:31
The prices of houses are insane.
935
:
00:46:33
The median income price of the United
States home right now, is over now
936
:
00:46:37
eclipsing some places over $500,000.
937
:
00:46:40
People can't afford places to
live, so offering affordable.
938
:
00:46:45
Eco-friendly, available structures in
communities that are, escaping the Matrix.
939
:
00:46:51
Being in the outdoors has been
the most rewarding thing for me.
940
:
00:46:55
And people have gotten
engaged at our properties.
941
:
00:46:58
They've had weddings, they've
came back for their honeymoons,
942
:
00:47:02
connecting people to nature.
943
:
00:47:04
Just like John said, that's been the
most rewarding part of the business for
944
:
00:47:07
me and our business has really become
a ministry of TLC man togetherness,
945
:
00:47:12
love community, connecting people to
outdoors, showing them more affordable
946
:
00:47:17
options for, midterm and long-term living.
947
:
00:47:20
Right now my goal is to get enough
cash flowing assets so I could get
948
:
00:47:25
like a 25 50 million, a hundred million
dollar capital raise or funding.
949
:
00:47:30
'cause I want to open up legit
communities like this for
950
:
00:47:34
midterm and long term living.
951
:
00:47:35
And ultimately, not like a timeshare
where you buy a couple weeks and then
952
:
00:47:39
you go to a location or another location.
953
:
00:47:41
But I wanna sell.
954
:
00:47:43
Ecotourism, long term and midterm living
memberships to where they can buy into
955
:
00:47:48
our different developments, and then
they could actually travel around the
956
:
00:47:51
world and become digital nomads, and
then we'll help with entrepreneurship.
957
:
00:47:56
We'll, be able to have all of the onsite
amenities from internet to spa stuff, I
958
:
00:48:02
know health and wellness is huge for Gen
Z and younger generations these days,
959
:
00:48:08
people don't want to drink as much.
960
:
00:48:10
I'm six years sober now too, so I've.
961
:
00:48:13
Nature and this industry has
been huge for me as far as
962
:
00:48:15
mental and health wellness stuff.
963
:
00:48:18
There's just so many different check
boxes that ecotourism and glamping,
964
:
00:48:22
check for not only myself, but for people
and wellness and lifestyle in general.
965
:
00:48:28
That makes me so passionate about it.
966
:
00:48:29
And that's really what I want to
be able to do is offer communities
967
:
00:48:34
for people that they can actually
live in these types of sites.
968
:
00:48:37
It's more than just a short-term
rental for me at this point right now.
969
:
00:48:41
That's what I'm doing to be
able to get the cash flow and
970
:
00:48:43
show the business model works.
971
:
00:48:44
But I wanna open up, long
sustaining communities for people
972
:
00:48:48
to be able to live in full time.
973
:
00:48:50
That's my main goal.
974
:
00:48:51
And then also we're developing an app
that almost gamifies, ecotourism because
975
:
00:48:56
each location has unique things to do.
976
:
00:48:59
So I know, I'm sure John, his
location has, some cool stuff in the
977
:
00:49:03
area that is only specific to them.
978
:
00:49:06
Same thing with Glacier National Park.
979
:
00:49:08
We have the Glacier Mountains
and then and Diamond Glamping.
980
:
00:49:11
We have Murphysboro, Arkansas,
which is a creator of diamonds
981
:
00:49:15
where you can go mine diamonds.
982
:
00:49:16
So finding locations that have cool,
unique experiences showing affordable
983
:
00:49:21
housing, building communities.
984
:
00:49:23
And, being eco-friendly is really the
mission of Global Glamping, and it's
985
:
00:49:29
an exciting time for the industry.
986
:
00:49:30
Brian Searl: I think my hunch is,
and just call this a prediction.
987
:
00:49:35
We'll see how this ages that I think
even if you don't get a hundred million
988
:
00:49:38
dollars investment, you're gonna
build something pretty fucking cool.
989
:
00:49:41
Wait, I'm sorry, that's, I can't
swear that's on the leader show, I do.
990
:
00:49:45
Just kidding.
991
:
00:49:46
Sorry.
992
:
00:49:46
Like we have another podcast called
Outwired that I'm gonna do in like
993
:
00:49:49
an hour that's more of a Joe Rogan
style where we actually drink
994
:
00:49:52
whiskey and let a few swear words go.
995
:
00:49:54
But really I think you're gonna,
and I think you know that, I don't
996
:
00:49:57
think you need me to tell you that.
997
:
00:49:59
But I think that slow burn of the patients
thing that you've already experienced
998
:
00:50:02
and you already know how to handle is
gonna make a more rewarding company.
999
:
00:50:05
And I think also, like you're gonna be
able to turbo that anyway with robots
:
1000
00:50:09,227 --> 00:50:13,367
and AI to where you won't even need that
investment at the scale that traditional
:
1001
00:50:13,367 --> 00:50:14,807
people would need capital at, but.
:
1002
00:50:16,057 --> 00:50:16,732
Devon Towle: A hundred percent.
:
1003
00:50:16,802 --> 00:50:19,292
Brian Searl: Yeah, I'm excited to see
what, both of you guys continue building.
:
1004
00:50:19,352 --> 00:50:21,692
I'll be building here on my
side too with AI and marketing.
:
1005
00:50:22,062 --> 00:50:23,592
It's definitely gonna
be an interesting world.
:
1006
00:50:23,652 --> 00:50:27,292
But the disconnection piece, the
technology that blends with nature the
:
1007
00:50:27,292 --> 00:50:30,772
ability for people to still disconnect
while being connected in some ways
:
1008
00:50:30,802 --> 00:50:34,192
to their own choosing, I think makes
for a really fascinating future.
:
1009
00:50:34,192 --> 00:50:35,302
Any final thoughts, John?
:
1010
00:50:36,202 --> 00:50:38,762
John Handy: No, I think that
the future is bright for
:
1011
00:50:38,762 --> 00:50:41,372
ecotourism, glamping, and camping.
:
1012
00:50:41,372 --> 00:50:45,747
I think it's one of the things that,
it's written into our vision is to
:
1013
00:50:45,747 --> 00:50:49,347
make sure we are inspirational to
the people that come and visit us,
:
1014
00:50:49,407 --> 00:50:51,147
as well as being inspired by them.
:
1015
00:50:51,147 --> 00:50:56,467
But I think that when they come and
they stay in a an Azure home or a yurt
:
1016
00:50:56,527 --> 00:51:00,127
and they're comfortable and they're
living off grid, there's also ideas
:
1017
00:51:00,127 --> 00:51:01,357
that they can take home with them.
:
1018
00:51:01,357 --> 00:51:05,197
I think nothing better than going
on a trip somewhere and then
:
1019
00:51:05,197 --> 00:51:07,087
coming home feeling inspired.
:
1020
00:51:07,597 --> 00:51:11,897
And I think that's our big thing is how
do you inspire people to have their own
:
1021
00:51:11,897 --> 00:51:16,597
organic garden, to compost their waste,
to get their electricity from the sun?
:
1022
00:51:16,857 --> 00:51:18,537
To live in a recycled home.
:
1023
00:51:18,587 --> 00:51:22,237
And even when we were off air, Brian,
you mentioned something about going
:
1024
00:51:22,237 --> 00:51:25,797
beyond the Azure home and making
things you could buy in the store.
:
1025
00:51:26,217 --> 00:51:31,987
That's an exact vision we've had where
we recycle our own waste on site and
:
1026
00:51:31,987 --> 00:51:33,997
turn it into products you can use.
:
1027
00:51:34,107 --> 00:51:38,547
That part of that isn't that the
10,000 people, that's about what we
:
1028
00:51:38,547 --> 00:51:43,712
get a year coming through Treebones
to stay, that's not gonna in itself
:
1029
00:51:44,012 --> 00:51:48,332
change the world to take those people's
recycles and turn 'em into products.
:
1030
00:51:48,332 --> 00:51:52,832
But if they're inspired, if you take
even a percentage of those people
:
1031
00:51:52,832 --> 00:51:56,132
and they've gone and implemented
something of that on their own,
:
1032
00:51:56,132 --> 00:51:58,092
it makes the world a better place.
:
1033
00:51:58,092 --> 00:52:00,492
And that inspiration gets passed on.
:
1034
00:52:00,497 --> 00:52:04,042
And I think that's the big vision
that we would all like to, at
:
1035
00:52:04,042 --> 00:52:05,442
our place, would love to see.
:
1036
00:52:05,472 --> 00:52:08,412
We'd love to feel like someone
walked away and had a new idea.
:
1037
00:52:09,202 --> 00:52:09,742
Brian Searl: And they are.
:
1038
00:52:09,742 --> 00:52:11,032
And I think that's the point, right?
:
1039
00:52:11,032 --> 00:52:13,852
Is that the way you inspire
people to do all that is to
:
1040
00:52:13,852 --> 00:52:15,742
show them that it's possible.
:
1041
00:52:15,747 --> 00:52:19,192
Whether it's a 3D printed home
or through off the grid living
:
1042
00:52:19,192 --> 00:52:22,102
that's just as comfortable as
home or whatever it is, right?
:
1043
00:52:22,372 --> 00:52:23,962
John Handy: It's
possible, but not painful.
:
1044
00:52:25,012 --> 00:52:26,002
Brian Searl: Yeah, exactly.
:
1045
00:52:26,052 --> 00:52:27,372
Devon Towle: And it exists already.
:
1046
00:52:27,372 --> 00:52:27,432
Brian Searl: Yeah.
:
1047
00:52:27,432 --> 00:52:30,342
Devon Towle: Because it's
in our DNA to be in nature.
:
1048
00:52:30,342 --> 00:52:30,402
John Handy: Yeah.
:
1049
00:52:30,702 --> 00:52:34,092
Devon Towle: To be connected to
the outdoors, to be in community.
:
1050
00:52:34,452 --> 00:52:38,742
And that's like the biggest draw for
people that are just sick and tired
:
1051
00:52:38,742 --> 00:52:42,282
of living in the city and, being
controlled and all this other stuff.
:
1052
00:52:42,282 --> 00:52:47,222
And this is that opportunity and that
outlet to be able to experience that now.
:
1053
00:52:47,252 --> 00:52:49,622
'cause before it really
didn't exist, now it does.
:
1054
00:52:49,622 --> 00:52:53,982
So it's like John was saying, we want
to pave the way, give people a visual
:
1055
00:52:53,982 --> 00:52:56,232
and be immersed in the outdoors.
:
1056
00:52:56,262 --> 00:53:00,552
And it's gonna take people like
John, myself and you, Brian, just
:
1057
00:53:00,552 --> 00:53:04,702
to continue to share the vision and
get people outdoors connected to
:
1058
00:53:04,702 --> 00:53:06,802
nature and escape the matrix, man.
:
1059
00:53:07,462 --> 00:53:07,642
Brian Searl: Yeah.
:
1060
00:53:07,642 --> 00:53:10,842
And all it takes is that experience
like just on Vancouver Island,
:
1061
00:53:10,842 --> 00:53:13,242
and I still have them, right, I
appreciate this just as much as
:
1062
00:53:13,242 --> 00:53:15,012
you guys do, but I still have them.
:
1063
00:53:15,012 --> 00:53:19,002
We were in Vancouver Island, took a boat
tour out eight hours, two hours into
:
1064
00:53:19,002 --> 00:53:22,182
the middle of nowhere, up into the North
Islands, and we did a grizzly bear tour.
:
1065
00:53:22,672 --> 00:53:25,972
And just sitting off the shore, like we
got to be the first people to see it,
:
1066
00:53:25,982 --> 00:53:30,242
the bear was named Thimble, come out
with her two cubs that were like in their
:
1067
00:53:30,242 --> 00:53:33,752
second year of life and just playing and
wrestling with each other on the shore.
:
1068
00:53:33,752 --> 00:53:36,902
Like you just can't, like
that's a whole different world.
:
1069
00:53:36,952 --> 00:53:38,902
And if you can, there's so many
people I'm sure who take that
:
1070
00:53:38,902 --> 00:53:41,872
tour who will be on their phones
taking pictures and I like, sure.
:
1071
00:53:41,932 --> 00:53:43,252
I took some pictures too, of course.
:
1072
00:53:43,252 --> 00:53:45,442
But really won't see the bears.
:
1073
00:53:46,102 --> 00:53:47,662
When you see the bears.
:
1074
00:53:47,722 --> 00:53:52,282
And imagine what it's like to just be
them and their simplified nature and
:
1075
00:53:52,282 --> 00:53:55,562
walking through the forest and picking
berries and if you can identify with
:
1076
00:53:55,612 --> 00:53:57,292
that's when you truly get the inspiration.
:
1077
00:53:57,292 --> 00:53:57,562
I think.
:
1078
00:53:59,447 --> 00:54:00,052
Devon Towle: A hundred percent.
:
1079
00:54:00,052 --> 00:54:01,312
Brian Searl: Cool, guys,
I appreciate your time.
:
1080
00:54:01,522 --> 00:54:02,392
It was a wonderful show.
:
1081
00:54:02,392 --> 00:54:05,242
If you guys wanna hear more of me,
not you two, I know you guys are
:
1082
00:54:05,242 --> 00:54:09,262
busy, but everybody who's watching
us wants to hear more of me talking.
:
1083
00:54:09,512 --> 00:54:10,912
In about an hour, we're
gonna do a show on Outwired.
:
1084
00:54:10,912 --> 00:54:14,512
We're gonna talk about niching down into
your different groups of people you wanna
:
1085
00:54:14,512 --> 00:54:18,212
target, figuring out who your audience is
through marketing with a lot of different
:
1086
00:54:18,212 --> 00:54:21,632
data and insights and things from Scott
Bahr and Greg Emmert, my two co-hosts.
:
1087
00:54:21,632 --> 00:54:25,182
So other than that, we'll
see you next week for another
:
1088
00:54:25,182 --> 00:54:25,812
episode of MC Fireside Chats.
:
1089
00:54:25,812 --> 00:54:26,162
Thank you, Devon.
:
1090
00:54:26,162 --> 00:54:26,432
Thank you, John.
:
1091
00:54:26,432 --> 00:54:26,912
Really appreciate it.
:
1092
00:54:26,982 --> 00:54:27,272
John Handy: Thank you.
:
1093
00:54:27,272 --> 00:54:27,522
Enjoyed it!
:
1094
00:54:27,592 --> 00:54:27,902
Devon Towle: Thanks, Brian.
:
1095
00:54:27,902 --> 00:54:28,402
Brian Searl: Take care guys.