Glamping Americas Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Collin from Pacific Yurts to trace these structures from their Mongolian origins as the 'ger' or 'gur' to their modern role in glamping and hospitality. We cover why these circular, historic homes create such a distinct feeling for guests, what goes into building a yurt that can withstand snow loads and coastal storms, and the real economics behind them, including client stories where yurts paid for themselves in months, not years. Collin also gets candid about the two biggest mistakes new glamping operators make: skipping proper site planning and underestimating permitting, which can quietly unravel a business years after launch. If you're considering yurts for your glamping site or retreat venue, this conversation is full of practical, honest guidance for you to apply to your own glamping business ventures.  For more information, please contact: Collin Miller - Director of Sales, Pacific Yurts, Direct - 458-298-2612 Email: [email protected]  Website: https://yurts.com  __________   MarsDome MarsDome is a glamping dome - an insulated composite dome for resorts, retreats, and holiday stays. Unlike fabric tents and thin-shell domes, it's built as a solid, one-piece monocoque shell with 4-inch (106 mm) continuous insulation rated R-35. That one design decision solves the two complaints glamping operators hear most: noise and condensation. The dense shell cuts storm noise by roughly 35 dB, and the continuous insulation keeps the inside dry - no water dripping onto guests. MarsDome installs in an afternoon with three to four people and is designed to last 50 years. Contact: [email protected] or WhatsApp +86 137 7533 8243, or learn more at https://marsdomes.com  __________   Sarah Riley, Podcast host - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction    Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com    Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/   __________   Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us  [email protected]   

What if everything you've been told about building a successful glamping business is backwards? What if adding more amenities isn't the answer... What if discounting isn't the answer... And what if the secret to charging three times the average nightly rate has nothing to do with having a bigger budget? In this fascinating episode, Sarah Riley sits down with Janice Wilson, software engineer, hospitality innovator and founder of Menizei, a boutique glamping retreat that's quietly becoming one of the most talked-about businesses in outdoor hospitality. Janice approaches her business like a scientist. Every decision is an experiment. Every marketing campaign is measured. Every guest interaction is tested. And, unlike most entrepreneurs, she openly shares both the successes and the failures so others can learn from them. In this conversation, you'll discover: • Why Janice deliberately removed amenities that most operators consider essential, and why guests love it. • How she's able to command premium prices without competing on features. • The surprising guest behaviour data that's reshaping her entire marketing strategy. • Why she believes hospitality businesses should stop trying to be "better" than the competition and instead become a category of one. • How AI is helping independent operators build tools and systems that were once only available to the world's largest hotel brands. • Why the future of luxury hospitality isn't technology… it's unforgettable human experiences. Whether you're planning your first glamping business, looking to increase profitability, or simply fascinated by the future of hospitality and AI, this episode is packed with ideas that will challenge conventional thinking and leave you inspired to look at your own business in a completely different way. Janice will also be speaking at The Glamping Show Americas, where she'll be sharing her framework for creating a true hospitality unicorn… a business so distinctive it no longer competes on price or amenities. If you're ready to stop following the crowd and start building something remarkable, this is an episode you won't want to miss. _________ More Information: Janice Wilson  [email protected]  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicewilson/ Wilson Studio https://wlsn.studio/ Menizei https://www.menizei.com/ Territori https://territori.io/ _________   Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction   Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com   Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/   __________   The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado  https://www.glampingshow.us  [email protected]   

What do Taylor Swift, a sold-out concert, and a 71-acre property in rural Indiana have in common? More than you might think. When Maggie Klein secured tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, she unknowingly set in motion a chain of events that would completely change her family's future. With the house needed for concert guests, her husband Mark suddenly found himself with an unexpected free weekend and one simple task: find somewhere else to stay. Instead, he found something much bigger. What started as a casual scouting trip to explore potential investment opportunities quickly became an emotional connection to a piece of land that neither Mark nor Maggie could ignore. Just days later, they found themselves asking a very different question—not "Should we do this?" but "How are we going to make this happen?" In this episode, we meet Mark and Maggie at the very beginning of their journey. There's no polished success story yet. No completed resort. No ribbon cutting. No grand opening. Instead, you'll hear the raw, honest reality of what it looks like to stand at the start of a dream. Together, they share how they discovered a remarkable 71-acre property near Indiana's famous Turkey Run State Park, why they believe nature itself is the greatest amenity, how they're balancing family life, careers, and business development, and the lessons they're learning as they navigate feasibility studies, financing, planning, and the countless decisions that come with building a hospitality business from scratch. If you've ever dreamed of creating a glamping site, retreat, or nature-based business—or you're simply fascinated by how big ideas become reality—this conversation offers a rare opportunity to follow a project from its very first steps. Because sometimes the most exciting stories aren't the ones that have already been written. They're the ones that are just beginning. __________ Mark & Maggie Cline Website: https://www.theparkeatturkeyrun.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparkeatturkeyrun/  __________ Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction    Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com    Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/   __________   The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us  [email protected]   

In this fascinating conversation, Sarah Riley interviews Leslie Martin, founder of the breathtaking Lagom Retreat in the Texas Hill Country... a Swedish-inspired glamping, wellness and events destination that is already turning heads across the hospitality world.  What makes Leslie's story even more incredible?  She came from the tech industry with zero hospitality experience.  Now she's creating one of the most unique outdoor hospitality experiences around, featuring extraordinary cabins from across the world, immersive wellness experiences, dark-sky stargazing, saunas, cold plunges and unforgettable design-led accommodation.  In this episode, you'll discover:  How Leslie transitioned from a 26-year tech career into glamping and wellness hospitality  Why creativity, nature and hosting people became the foundation of her business vision  The story behind her wildly unique structures from Spain, Austria and the Netherlands  How wellness goes far beyond hot tubs and saunas  Why glamping experiences can create lifelong memories and transformations  The importance of design, emotion and attention to detail in hospitality  How taking risks helped her stand out in a crowded market  This episode is inspiring, honest and full of visionary ideas for anyone dreaming of creating a lifestyle business rooted in nature, wellbeing and unforgettable guest experiences.  Prepare to feel inspired… because this one could seriously make you rethink what's possible.  _________  Leslie Martin - Lagom Retreat   https://lagom-retreat.com/  [email protected]   _________   Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction   Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com   Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/   __________   The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us  [email protected] 

What if starting an outdoor hospitality business didn't require land, cabins, permits, or a six-figure investment? In this episode, Sarah Riley speaks with Adam Odgaard from Isabella Camping about the Camp-Let tent trailer… a clever Danish invention that has been popular across Europe for decades but is only now arriving in the United States.  We explore how this lightweight trailer (just 595 lbs) unfolds into a surprisingly spacious camping setup with sleeping cabins and living space, and why it's attracting attention as a new business opportunity in the outdoor hospitality industry. They discuss:  The fascinating 70-year history of Isabella, a family business founded in Denmark  How the Camp-Let trailer bridges the gap between camping and glamping  Why its lightweight design works perfectly with electric vehicles  The growing opportunity for mobile outdoor hospitality businesses  How some operators in Europe already use these trailers as rental units on campsites  A potential low-cost entry point into the outdoor hospitality industry  Adam also shares example numbers showing how a Camp-Let setup could potentially reach break-even in around a year, opening up new possibilities for entrepreneurs who want to help people experience nature without needing to own land.  If you're interested in glamping trends, innovative outdoor accommodation models, or creative ways to start a hospitality business, this episode will definitely get you thinking… and may even change the way you think about going camping.  ________  Adam Odgaard - Isabella Camping - Camp-Let Trailer  isabellacamping.com   [email protected]  _________   Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction    Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com   Glamping marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/   __________   The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us  [email protected]  Join us at the next show in Colorado!