Today we're welcoming Dawn from The Olive Jar, an experiential marketing studio specializing in vacation rental design and guest experiences. Dawn's path to this work is unconventional—she started in film advertising writing movie trailers, moved into documentary filmmaking with brands, and then spent years producing immersive culinary experiences before COVID shut down her entire industry. When short-term rentals exploded during the pandemic, she discovered that creating intimate experiences for cabin guests combined everything she'd learned about storytelling, production design, and emotional connection.

What makes Dawn's approach different is her insistence that branding isn't just a logo or color palette—it's about creating a cohesive feeling from the moment someone discovers your property until long after they've checked out. She talks about branding as "vibe creation" and argues that if you have to tell people your stay is luxurious or experiential, you've already failed. The experience should speak for itself through carefully curated details.

We explore why small touches like bubble wands or a doggy guest book can be more powerful than expensive amenities, how to translate your brand into marketing without overwhelming yourself, and why vulnerability and humanity in your communication matters more than perfect polish. Dawn shares her process for creating brand story guides that help hosts identify their ideal traveler and design experiences that create what she calls "core memories"—those multi-sensory moments that stick with people long after they leave.

Whether you're struggling to define your brand, wondering how to market without being salesy, or trying to create genuine connection with guests through thoughtful details, this conversation offers a framework for thinking about hospitality as storytelling and generosity as your most powerful marketing tool.

Instagram: @theolivejar.co

Booking Site: https://theolivejarhostingquiz.scoreapp.com/

Instagram: @cozyrockcabin

Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027
Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051
Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com
 
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g