My friends bought 34 acres of Ohio wilderness. While hiking one...
Isaac French@isaacfrench_
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Jan 11, 2025
~3 min read
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My friends bought 34 acres of Ohio wilderness.
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
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Before the cave, they put it all on the line & took a huge risk...
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
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Just 7 days later, they found it:
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
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Bryant renovated the tiny 1920s cottage; Amy made it charming.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
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He pulled the plug on his job.
They’d always loved A-frames, and they spent hours scouring hundreds of designs online.
Amy’s eye for design and Bryant’s engineering know-how came together.
He drafted the plans, then grabbed his tool belt out and got to work.
They’d always loved A-frames, and they spent hours scouring hundreds of designs online.
Amy’s eye for design and Bryant’s engineering know-how came together.
He drafted the plans, then grabbed his tool belt out and got to work.
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The bank gave them another loan.
He did almost everything himself, at a fraction of the cost had he hired it out (I'll share build costs in Monday's newsletter).
8 mo later, they finished the 3-story masterpiece (that loft!!😍)
Dunlap Hollow A-Frame was a smashing success...
He did almost everything himself, at a fraction of the cost had he hired it out (I'll share build costs in Monday's newsletter).
8 mo later, they finished the 3-story masterpiece (that loft!!😍)
Dunlap Hollow A-Frame was a smashing success...
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...booking out 95% at $1,300/night!
Guests couldn’t get enough—and they wanted more than just a stay.
Many began begging to buy the plans to build their own.
The Gingerichs obliged.
They set this up as a digital product on their website and have since sold $220k worth.
Guests couldn’t get enough—and they wanted more than just a stay.
Many began begging to buy the plans to build their own.
The Gingerichs obliged.
They set this up as a digital product on their website and have since sold $220k worth.
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This revenue stream is entirely passive.
But we're finally getting to the best part:
They had no idea there was a cave...
Dead trees and a pile of fill hid the entrance to it.
Then one day on a hike, they discovered it. Ideas immediately started flowing, but so did obstacles.
But we're finally getting to the best part:
They had no idea there was a cave...
Dead trees and a pile of fill hid the entrance to it.
Then one day on a hike, they discovered it. Ideas immediately started flowing, but so did obstacles.
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You can imagine what the local building department thought…
Geologists and structural engineers had to sign off, which entailed some acrobatics.
Then came the toughest part: moisture.
Water seeped in from every direction. Trapping it was impossible.
The solution?
Geologists and structural engineers had to sign off, which entailed some acrobatics.
Then came the toughest part: moisture.
Water seeped in from every direction. Trapping it was impossible.
The solution?
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Let it in—and figure out how to manage it.
After months of trial and error, they landed on 4 heavy-duty humidifiers, running 24/7, pulling 20 gallons of water *per day* out of the air to keep the space normal.
9 months later, the Gingerichs unveiled their masterpiece:
After months of trial and error, they landed on 4 heavy-duty humidifiers, running 24/7, pulling 20 gallons of water *per day* out of the air to keep the space normal.
9 months later, the Gingerichs unveiled their masterpiece:
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A natural, luxury cave with decadent decor, modern amenities, and an otherworldly vibe.
Today, this place rents for $1,400/night.
It’s gone mega-viral multiple times on Instagram, amassing 405,000 followers and 100% direct bookings.
But here's the biggest bragging right imho:
Today, this place rents for $1,400/night.
It’s gone mega-viral multiple times on Instagram, amassing 405,000 followers and 100% direct bookings.
But here's the biggest bragging right imho:
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Just 1 vacant night in 2+ yrs since opening!!
This is the future of "luxury" hospitality: story-driven, experiential, one-of-a-kind.
And anyone (with a dream & a work ethic) can do this...
I’ll be sharing build costs & more insider details in Monday’s newsletter.
This is the future of "luxury" hospitality: story-driven, experiential, one-of-a-kind.
And anyone (with a dream & a work ethic) can do this...
I’ll be sharing build costs & more insider details in Monday’s newsletter.
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And if you love stories like this one, follow me @isaacfrench_
I believe craftsmanship, creativity, and a desire to serve make this world a much better place 🙏
I believe craftsmanship, creativity, and a desire to serve make this world a much better place 🙏
Isaac French@isaacfrench_
My friends bought 34 acres of Ohio wilderness.
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
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For those who don't know me, I designed & built a 7-cabin micro-resort @liveoaklake in just 9 mo, then grew a large IG following for it which drove 80% direct bookings.
Just 2 yrs later, I sold it to PE at a 3x cost for $1M/key.
This is the "gold-rush era" of experiential stays, and I made a free 7-day course to help you learn how to build your own.
Get it here if interested!
go.experientialhospitality.com
Just 2 yrs later, I sold it to PE at a 3x cost for $1M/key.
This is the "gold-rush era" of experiential stays, and I made a free 7-day course to help you learn how to build your own.
Get it here if interested!
go.experientialhospitality.com