Lessons from launching Paws Up, AutoCamp and Wildhavenn from 'Mr. Outdoor Hospitality'

In this episode we dive in with Scott Randall who helped launch Paws Up, AutoCamp and Wildhaven over his 25 year career in outdoor hospitality.  There is no person on this continent with more experience growing prominent glamping brands.  Hear about creating ice wall climbing, dog sledding, and hot air balloon rides in the Montana wilderness.  Learn about what makes an outdoor hospitality operation fail or flourish. Wildhaven YosemiteGlampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)Posh OutdoorsSage Outdoor AdvisoryDouble Take Media Nick's email: [email protected]'s email: [email protected]'s email [email protected]

Familiar favourite Bygnal Dutson from Open Sky in Zion returns to the pod today, but this time he's joined by his General Manager, Wes McCloskey.Today's episode is all about the nitty gritty of running a glamping business as the GM. What roles and responsibilities does a GM carry out? What's the hardest part of the job? What's Wes' advice to prospective glamping GMs?Open SkyGlampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)Posh OutdoorsSage Outdoor AdvisoryNick's email: [email protected]

Hear the story behind Sol Stay, one of America's only glamping resorts ON THE WATER.  Find out how Joe Lisa and Bill Nolan built this unique property on the waters of Lake Erie in Ohio.  In this episode you will learn how they:Found and reimagined this run down marinaRaised the money to renovate into a floating glamping resortBuilt a floating sauna, added a rooftop hot tub, and convinced a Venice Beach graffiti artist to paint a mural on their building. This is a fun one!New Jingle created by Candy Cigs Music - [email protected]: Sage Outdoor Advisory - [email protected] Take Media - [email protected] LinksGlampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)

Learn the critical items you need to think about before your grand opening.  Hear about pre-marketing, selecting a property management system, opening your booking calendar, OTA integrations, OS&E purchasing and more.  Quentin Incao is the founder of Q Hospitality and has consulted on a dozen prominent glamping sites, landscape hotels, independent boutique hotels and RV resorts.  He handles everything from predevelopment consulting, grand openings and day-to-day operations. Sponsors: Sage Outdoor Advisory or email [email protected] more about Double Take Media's services or email [email protected] LinksGlampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)

Some of you have been listening to him for more than 4 years, but you don't know his story. Nick got to where he is today through hard work, tenacity, and a whole lotta dreaming.As he prepares to open his first mirror cabins at Skyridge Glamping, we go all the way back to his childhood and explore his journey to the present day.It's a doozy.Posh Outdoors Links:WeFunder pageSchedule a callNick's email: [email protected] links:Glampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)Sage Outdoor Advisory

We explored beyond the world of glamping this week and interviewed Nathan St Cyr of Howzit Hostels. He broke down the hostel business model; how Howzit obsesses over the guest experience; and how to create a sense of community at your resort.Nathan's Links:Howzit HostelsThe Hotel Investor PlaybookPosh Outdoors Links:WeFunder pageSchedule a callNick's email: [email protected] links:Glampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)Sage Outdoor Advisory

Hal Feinberg is the founder of Clear Sky Resorts. Clear Sky is the largest dome operation in the US, with resorts in Utah and Arizona.Hal joins us to discuss his journey to this point, his special interior designs, how he scaled to a second location, and much more.Posh Outdoors LinksWeFunder pageSchedule a callNick's email: [email protected] Oak Bank LinksWebsiteEmail: [email protected] Other LinksClear Sky ResortsGlampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)Sage Outdoor Advisory

Learn what your outdoor hospitality business is worth and how you can maximize your value in a sale.  In this episode Connor interviews experts Bob Kaplan of NAI Outdoor Hospitality Brokers and Shari Heilala of Sage Outdoor Advisory.  Find out how your business is valued by appraisers and brokers in the current market.  Learn the strategies about maximizing the value of your business whether you are looking for a property or already operating. This episode is sponsored by Live Oak Bank.  The leaders in outdoor hospitality lending and the largest SBA lender in the country. Learn more at their website or email enquiries directly to their department head Pierce Verchick at [email protected] Links mentioned:NAI Outdoor Hospitality BrokersSage Outdoor AdvisoryOther links:Posh OutdoorsSchedule a call re Posh OutdoorsGlampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)

Jacob Halverson joins Connor and Nick to discuss all things recruitment. How do you find staff for your hospitality operation? What questions should you ask them in interviews? How does the process change according to job role?Links:Posh OutdoorsSchedule a call re Posh OutdoorsGlampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)Sage Outdoor Advisory

In Connor's first solo-hosted episode, he speaks to Ken Barber of Wildhaven Glamping in California. Ken has pulled off the notoriously difficult task of starting and scaling a Californian glamping operation, and he dives into his initial capital raise, Wildhaven's mid-marketing positioning, and the art of scaling a glamping business.Links mentioned:Wildhaven SonomaWildhaven YosemiteSage Outdoor AdvisoryOther links:Posh OutdoorsSchedule a call re Posh OutdoorsGlampitect North AmericaThe Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)