Mary Bauer built a luxury baby furniture empire (Brat Decor) that furnished celebrity nurseries for Jennifer Lopez, the Kardashians, and Alec Baldwin. When her husband's cancer diagnosis forced them to downsize their business, they transformed their handbuilt West Virginia cabin into a premium rental—pricing it 4-5x higher than local competition and succeeding.

Mary's unexpected journey includes a 20-year obsession with George Washington that led to Martha Washington reenacting and designing their next rental around Revolutionary War themes. We explore how business expertise translates to hospitality success, why authentic materials and storytelling command premium rates, and the unique touches that set luxury cabins apart—including custom property apps and personal guest consultations.

From 120-year-old reclaimed logs to engineering disappearing pool decks, this conversation reveals how passion projects become profitable when authenticity meets business acumen.

Instagram: @wvluxurycabins
Website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qSmsxeKZ8YyWXXreo1ADsnEUEZ_MSILqy1Upu3tJHVI/edit?tab=t.0

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

Today we're welcoming Dale Mulfinger, an architect and self-proclaimed "cabinologist" who literally wrote the book on what makes a cabin a cabin. Dale has spent over three decades designing cabins across the upper Midwest, taught university courses on cabin architecture, and authored multiple books including "Cabinology" and "The Family Cabin." His research began when a client asked him to design a cabin and he realized he didn't actually know what distinguished a cabin from a house—so he sent university students into "cabin land" with rolls of film to document 100 cabins and figure out what made some feel more "cabin-like" than others.

What emerged from that research—and from 35 years of practice—is a philosophy that cabins aren't defined by logs or rustic aesthetics, but by function: they're modest structures connected to meaningful sites that prioritize social bonding over private retreat. Unlike homes where bedrooms serve as escape spaces, cabin bedrooms are deliberately connected to the communal areas because "it's all about bonding."

Dale's own cabin, co-owned with another couple, showcases these principles with creative touches like leaf patterns cut into railings, ash trees incorporated into the kitchen island, and a two-sided fireplace built with stones he wheelbarrowed from a nearby gravel pit. We'll explore his strong opinions about screen doors that slam, variable ceiling heights, and why contemporary cabins with soaring windows often miss the point of horizontal lake views.

Beyond design philosophy, Dale offers practical wisdom about finding good builders (hint: ask at the lumber yard who pays their bills), the economics of custom versus pre-made plans, and why homemade cookies can be as important as architectural drawings when working with craftsmen. He also tackles the rental market's impact on cabin design, noting how insurance requirements and code compliance can strip away some of the personality that makes cabins special.

Whether you're dreaming of building your first cabin, curious about what separates genuine cabin culture from Instagram-friendly imitations, or just want to understand why a good screen door slam might be more important than granite countertops, this conversation offers both philosophical insight and practical guidance from someone who has dedicated his career to understanding these special places.

https://salaarc.com/people/dale-mulfinger/

Portfolio of Work: https://salaarc.com/people/dale-mulfinger/

'Cabinology'

‘The Family Cabin’

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

Today we talked with Kara from the legendary Alpaca Treehouse in Atlanta, Georgia—a property so unique that it might literally be the only one of its kind in the world. What started with gateway livestock chickens and a treehouse built for wine nights with friends has evolved into something that defies categorization: a bamboo jungle sanctuary in the middle of the city, complete with rescued llamas, alpacas, and guanacos, where dying children find comfort and grieving parents practice yoga.

From accidentally rescuing some of only 200 guanacos in the country to hosting hip-hop music videos and Netflix shows, Kara's journey illustrates what happens when you follow your intuition instead of a business plan. Within three weeks of launching, she was featured on Treehouse Masters. Her properties now span two states and include everything from a renovated 1963 trailer overlooking waterfalls to an underground Hobbit house designed like a European castle.

As a former general contractor turned full-time host, Kara's approach to building involves saving both animals and architectural antiques—her front door was once the mayor of Atlanta's back door, and her floors came from a 1900s church. We'll explore how she sources reclaimed materials, trains crews to work with vintage pieces, and why she believes boring is her kryptonite.

Whether you're dreaming of your first unique stay or wondering how to create something truly one-of-a-kind, this conversation offers insights into following that electrified feeling, the power of becoming obsessed with your craft, and why sometimes the universe sends you unwanted goats to redirect your path.

Instagram: @alpacatreehouse
Booking Link: https://www.alpacatreehouse.com
USA Today feature: https://10best.usatoday.com/travel/10-best-hotels-animal-lovers-sanctuaries-united-states/
Llama Yoga: https://www.alpacatreehouse.com/experience
Alpaca Treehouse in the news: https://www.alpacatreehouse.com/press

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

Back with our SECOND ever solo episode, that I am still very much anxious about. Am I oversharing? Should I wait until things are finalized? Am I not sharing enough? Are my thoughts unorganized and slightly chaotic? Who knows. But here we are!

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

Today we're speaking with Kathleen, a writer and single mother who transformed six acres of Vermont farmland into something much more profound than a business strategy. What began as a practical solution—making the land pay for itself after moving from affluent Marin County to rural Vermont—has evolved into a masterclass in heart-centered hospitality and the radical act of leading with generosity of spirit.

From the community barn raising that erected her yurt to the profound connections she's discovered through hosting strangers, Kathleen's story challenges everything we think we know about successful hospitality. She's created a unicorn experience not through Egyptian cotton sheets or high-end finishes, but through intentionality, care, and what she calls "tending"—the art of creating spaces where people can exhale into beauty and belonging.

In our conversation, we explore how suffering can deepen our capacity for connection, why clear is kind when setting boundaries, and how a generosity of spirit can transform both host and guest. We'll discuss the difference between transactional and relational hosting, why Target sheets can create luxury experiences, and how our current culture's emphasis on protection over connection might be keeping us from the very experiences we crave most.

Whether you're just starting your hosting journey or questioning how to maintain heart in an increasingly competitive market, this conversation offers a different path—one that suggests the way we show up is what determines what comes back to us, and that maybe, just maybe, most people are good at their core.

Instagram: @vermont.retreat

Website: https://www.thevermontretreat.com

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

Today we're speaking with Chase, who has taken the concept of rapid scaling to a whole new level. In just five years, he's gone from buying his first cabin in Running Springs, California, to owning eight properties across multiple states—all while maintaining a full-time career as a loan officer and raising a family. What started as a weekend retreat they could barely use because it kept getting booked has evolved into a sophisticated development and investment strategy that includes land hacking, private money raising, and even flipping Teslas to fund cabin purchases.

From adding patina to brand-new renovations with personal record collections to creating secret amenities that delight guests through treasure hunts, Chase has mastered both the emotional and financial sides of the cabin business. We'll explore his three-role framework of visionary, manager, and technician, why he believes cabins should be about intentional experiences rather than convenience, and how strategic placement in established markets has allowed him to scale without heavy marketing investments.

Whether you're dreaming of your first cabin or wondering how to grow beyond your current portfolio, this conversation offers insights into the systems, partnerships, and mindset shifts that enable rapid growth while maintaining the magic that makes cabins special. Plus, we dive deep into unconventional marketing tactics, from color contrast theory in Airbnb photos to maximizing SEO across multiple booking platforms.

Instagram: @lightfootcabin

Booking Site: https://charifavacationrentals.holidayfuture.com/all-listings

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

I am excited to launch a new format for some of our podcast episodes! I'm calling these 'Anchor Episodes', and they're just me 😬They'll be a bit shorter, and will be a deep dive of some of the ideas/thoughts/concepts that I reference regularly (but briefly) during our interviews with guests. My hope is it will provide some helpful content for regular listeners, as well as a way to share in the future on episodes where we mention these.

This episode is all about the 'Unicorn, Work Horse and Donkey' business model comparison, the creative genius of Annemie Tonken (Photographer & Podcast host). I was listening to the podcast episode linked below on a long drive to the cabin several years ago, and couldn't stop thinking about how it applied to the world of AirBNB's and STR's. So in this episode I start by explaining the three models, and then give examples for each from my own properties where I've hosted guests over the last 10 years.

I would LOVE your feedback on 1) if this is helpful and enjoyable, 2) what topics you would like me to cover and 3) any suggestions for how we can make it even better!

Annemie Tonken, 'This Can't Be That Hard': https://www.thiscantbethathard.com/

Episode that got me thinking about all this: https://www.thiscantbethathard.com/podcast/038

Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027
Cozy Cabin Boone: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311026
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