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How A Restaurateur Turned A $10K Bet Into An Outdoor Hospitality Venture
You don’t need a flight to feel far away. In our conversation with Kevin Wilson, we explore how a former sushi chef and restaurant owner is building Camp Yellow Cardinal, a 24.5-acre glamping retreat designed for couples who crave nature without sacrificing comfort. The vision is crisp: geodesic domes spaced for true privacy, king beds, hot tubs on every deck, an “invisible service” model that removes friction, and a ridge-top barrel sauna with a glass end facing the trees. It’s hospitality that feels intentional, not improvised.
Kevin walks us through the long road here—risking $10,000 at 24 to co-found Sticky To Go-Go, learning the gritty parts of operations, and later stepping into a corporate role to lead community, brand, and a pandemic webinar engine that served 16,000 people. Those lessons now power a data-informed hospitality plan: land-first economics, a location within 90 minutes of major Virginia markets, pricing that targets accessibility without losing the premium feel, and design choices that favor serenity over squeezing in more units. He breaks down realistic revenue targets, lean operations, and how tech plus thoughtful touchpoints can make service feel human and hands-off at the same time.
But the heart of this episode sits beyond spreadsheets. We dig into why couples need time and space to reconnect, how the outdoors can reset a restless mind, and why “work-life balance” is less useful than a clear set of values. Kevin shares the simple rituals he won’t compromise on—breakfast with his son, a date night scheduled every month—and how that mindset shapes the experience he’s crafting for guests. Expect practical detail for builders and entrepreneurs, plus vivid snapshots of what a weekend at Camp Yellow Cardinal will actually feel like: crackling fires, sunset decks, and stars you can almost touch.
If this sparks ideas—or wanderlust—follow Camp Yellow Cardinal on Instagram, join the newsletter at campyellowcardinal.com for first access to booking and discounts, and share this episode with a friend who needs a reset. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s your ideal nature escape?
www.themrpreneur.com
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By Samuel AndersonYou don’t need a flight to feel far away. In our conversation with Kevin Wilson, we explore how a former sushi chef and restaurant owner is building Camp Yellow Cardinal, a 24.5-acre glamping retreat designed for couples who crave nature without sacrificing comfort. The vision is crisp: geodesic domes spaced for true privacy, king beds, hot tubs on every deck, an “invisible service” model that removes friction, and a ridge-top barrel sauna with a glass end facing the trees. It’s hospitality that feels intentional, not improvised.
Kevin walks us through the long road here—risking $10,000 at 24 to co-found Sticky To Go-Go, learning the gritty parts of operations, and later stepping into a corporate role to lead community, brand, and a pandemic webinar engine that served 16,000 people. Those lessons now power a data-informed hospitality plan: land-first economics, a location within 90 minutes of major Virginia markets, pricing that targets accessibility without losing the premium feel, and design choices that favor serenity over squeezing in more units. He breaks down realistic revenue targets, lean operations, and how tech plus thoughtful touchpoints can make service feel human and hands-off at the same time.
But the heart of this episode sits beyond spreadsheets. We dig into why couples need time and space to reconnect, how the outdoors can reset a restless mind, and why “work-life balance” is less useful than a clear set of values. Kevin shares the simple rituals he won’t compromise on—breakfast with his son, a date night scheduled every month—and how that mindset shapes the experience he’s crafting for guests. Expect practical detail for builders and entrepreneurs, plus vivid snapshots of what a weekend at Camp Yellow Cardinal will actually feel like: crackling fires, sunset decks, and stars you can almost touch.
If this sparks ideas—or wanderlust—follow Camp Yellow Cardinal on Instagram, join the newsletter at campyellowcardinal.com for first access to booking and discounts, and share this episode with a friend who needs a reset. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s your ideal nature escape?
www.themrpreneur.com