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 marina
• Raised the money to renovate into a floating glamping resort
• Built 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]

Sponsors: 

• Sage Outdoor Advisory - [email protected]
• Double Take Media - [email protected]

Other Links

• Glampitect North America
• The 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]
• Learn more about Double Take Media's services or email [email protected]

Other Links

• Glampitect North America
• The 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 page
• Schedule a call
• Nick's email: [email protected]

Other links:

• Glampitect North America
• The 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 Hostels
• The Hotel Investor Playbook

Posh Outdoors Links:

• WeFunder page
• Schedule a call
• Nick's email: [email protected]

Other links:

• Glampitect North America
• The 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 Links

• WeFunder page
• Schedule a call
• Nick's email: [email protected]

Live Oak Bank Links

• Website
• Email: [email protected] 

Other Links

• Clear Sky Resorts
• Glampitect North America
• The 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 Brokers
• Sage Outdoor Advisory

Other links:

• Posh Outdoors
• Schedule a call re Posh Outdoors
• Glampitect North America
• The 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 Outdoors
• Schedule a call re Posh Outdoors
• Glampitect North America
• The 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 Sonoma
• Wildhaven Yosemite
• Sage Outdoor Advisory

Other links:

• Posh Outdoors
• Schedule a call re Posh Outdoors
• Glampitect North America
• The Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter)

We're back!

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Nick and Connor are excited to return with the first episode of the new year, and boy is it a good'un.

We're joined by Michel Girardin and (rejoined by) Andrew Murphy to talk all things African glamping. This industry traces its roots back to that amazing continent, and there's a ton we can learn from the incredible resorts out there today.

We cover the stage-play approach of Sabi Sabi in South Africa, the number one trait Michel looks for when hiring a safari guide, the pros and cons of giving your guests Wi-Fi, and so much more.

We also introduce the podcast's new schedule for 2025. It's going to be a good year!

Links mentioned:

• Sage Outdoor Advisory
• Zaina Lodge
• Sabi Sabi
• Andy's previous episode is available on Apple, Spotify and Youtube

Other links:

• Posh Outdoors
• Schedule a call re Posh Outdoors
• Glampitect North America
• The Glamping Insider (my newsletter)

Jacob Halverson joins Nick and Connor for a bumper Christmas special! We discuss our favorite glamping resorts, glamping naughty and nice lists, and our favorite Christmas movies.

The podcast also begins with an update on our plans for the podcast in 2025. 

Thanks to all the listeners, and have a very merry Christmas!

Links mentioned:

• The Glamping Insider (my newsletter)
• Posh Outdoors' Looking Glass mirror cabins
• Ben Wolff's newsletter
• Get Paul Bosley's financial planner for free (email [email protected] for an intro)

The guys' favorite episodes of the year:

• Connor's winner: Bolt Farm - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Connor's second place: Travis Chambers - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Jacob's winner: Ben Wolff, Isaac French and Zach Busekrus - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Jacob's second place:: Will Spurzem - Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Nick's winner: Bygnal Dutson - Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Other links:

• Posh Outdoors
• Schedule a call re Posh Outdoors
• Glampitect North America
• Sage Outdoor Advisory
• Bishop's Lodge