Cabin Culture

The Social Media Pivot | Taylor Hildreth

On today’s episode we're doing something a little different—this is less traditional cabin content and more behind-the-scenes business and social media strategy. But, if you’re anything like me, who is currently facing social media dilemmas as we expand our to a new property, then this might be just what you need to hear. In this episode I’m chatting with Taylor Hildreth, a social media expert who documented her A-frame cabin build from foundation to launch, growing from zero to 30,000 followers before opening for guests. She successfully transitioned from a single-property Instagram account to a broader Minnesota travel brand with over 130,000 followers.This conversation tackles a challenge many cabin owners face, including myself: what happens when you expand beyond one property? Do you start fresh accounts or rebrand your existing one? Taylor shares the real challenges of pivoting a 30,000-follower account, including the year-long growth stall, behind-the-scenes criticism, and why she decided it was worth losing followers to build the brand she actually wanted.We dive into practical strategies for managing this transition and explore the psychology of social media growth—why consistency matters more than perfect content, how to build authentic engagement, and the trap of viral content that attracts the wrong audience for your business goals.Whether you're just starting to document your first build, managing multiple property accounts, or considering a major rebrand, this conversation offers practical strategies from someone who's successfully navigated these transitions.Instagram: @taytakesatrip and @hilhausaframeWebsite: https://taytakesatrip.comBooking Site: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/48902510?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadc1tYNll7gGebLwk9m3pF8XFXuf_5RjbuX1bOfUilSQxGCVTCPVX5Md3rEdQ_aem_21yw2a8iFbIUZK3yFpesKg&source_impression_id=p3_1758675105_P32oaS6dryvDviZkInstagram: @cozyrockcabinCozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.comYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

Mobile Cabin Adventures | Jack Steward, Tiny Cabin Life

Emmy award-winning host Jack Stewart spent seven years bringing national parks to television through ABC's "Rock the Park" and now creates adventure content on his YouTube channel "Tiny Cabin Life." After losing his father to cancer, Jack transitioned from corporate TV to independent content creation, discovering that cabin content resonated more with audiences than traditional adventure vlogs.Jack has built six different cabins, including portable versions on wheels that range from a seven-by-twelve-foot family structure with full kitchen to a five-by-eight-foot cabin he pulls behind an e-bike. He shares how he creates livable spaces for under $6,500, the challenge of balancing content creation with authentic outdoor experiences, and insights from his glamping industry work.We explore his transition to YouTube independence, the heartwarming story of how his golden retriever Ellie chose him during a camping trip, and his philosophy that authentic experiences matter more than perfect production values.Whether you're interested in tiny cabin builds, YouTube content creation, or maintaining authenticity while sharing outdoor adventures online, this conversation offers practical wisdom from someone living at the intersection of adventure and entrepreneurship.YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TinyCabinLifeInstagram: @jackfsteward Website: https://www.jacksteward.com/ Instagram: @cozyrockcabinCozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.comYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

Hand Built Heritage | Mary Bauer, Mountainaire

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: @wvluxurycabinsWebsite: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qSmsxeKZ8YyWXXreo1ADsnEUEZ_MSILqy1Upu3tJHVI/edit?tab=t.0Instagram: @cozyrockcabinCozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.comYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

Building For Connection | Dale Mulfinger, 'Cabinologist'

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: @cozyrockcabinCozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com

Boring Is My Kryptonite | Kara O'Brien, Alpaca Treehouse

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: @alpacatreehouseBooking Link: https://www.alpacatreehouse.comUSA Today feature: https://10best.usatoday.com/travel/10-best-hotels-animal-lovers-sanctuaries-united-states/Llama Yoga: https://www.alpacatreehouse.com/experienceAlpaca Treehouse in the news: https://www.alpacatreehouse.com/pressInstagram: @cozyrockcabinCozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.comYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g