Post by MinnieMom on Apr 27, 2024 12:02:56 GMT -5
Thanks! Yes, I suspect my patience is running low just as we are about to turn the page and see significant visual changes over the next ~6 weeks. Certainly seeing the Welcome Center go up has been a joy to watch. And I know that the visual pace there will slow again after this week, where it went from frame to almost dried in so quickly. Hum. I think I may do a short photo series showing those stages. That could be fun to show in the weekly video update!
We had a very good 90 minute discussion with the community members yesterday afternoon. The couple had a very real, very serious concern. It is a private issue, so I'm deliberately not going into the actual concern here. Instead, kudos to DH! He was wonderful, giving a direct and honest answer to the question as it was something we anticipated years ago. The sense of relief the couple felt in hearing an answer directly from us was obvious. I followed up with our actual engineered plans that show the land survey, environmental controls and additional voluntary work we are doing with berms and plantings to ensure privacy. Then we discussed other plans for the resort and bonded over a mutual love of Disney. Before the couple left, the lady asked if she could give me a hug. They were talking about booking their next anniversary at Standing Pines Resort as they left.
I followed up with a message this morning to make sure we completely answered their question. She sent me a very sweet response. Evidently, there were many conversations after they left us last night. They shared the info we provided with others in this large, local extended family. Those discussions were evidently also very positive, as she suggested we should keep an eye out on reservations. It sounds like most of their extended family is now also talking about booking stays with us. What a happy ending to this particular story!
By contrast, a different campground in another state shared some screenshots of their community struggles last night in one of the owner's groups. It really caught my eye as a contract to our experience with this local family. Even as they had very legit concerns, they approached us privately and gave us the grace to respond without doing a public blast. Thinking about that kind of approach versus what this other campground is dealing with left me with a profound appreciation of the courtesy of the Hartsville area.
That's not to say we have not had any community issues. We have had the occasional question or concern raised. I'm 100% certain there are some community members who reserving judgement until they see our actual impact, but overall we have been blessed with almost total public community support for Standing Pines. The family who sold us the land loves the campground as a way to see some of their family land developed. They stop in to visit and check on progress at least once a week. They have helped us sell the idea to the area, doing a lot of the heavy lifting for us behind the scenes. Several local ladies who also own small businesses reached out to me to connect and share ideas. Somewhat by design and somewhat by luck, we landed in a place where there are many, many locals who now jump to defend or explain Standing Pines when questions come up. Frankly, I doubt I know about a small percentage of these discussions. I think most of these concerns are getting addressed positively by Standing Pines fans without ever reaching us.
Our experience stands in sharp contrast to this other campground's struggle. Here are some of the images the other campground owner shared of their community opposition.
While I feel for this other campground and reached out to them to offer empathy and a listening ear, I am also extremely grateful Standing Pines is not facing those kinds of community challenges or PR problems.
Instead, I'm having fun almost challenging potential investors! Reaching the point where we don't actually need additional investors has made this much, much more fun for me. Here's a facebook post I created today for one of the RV park sales groups. Now, realistically, I don't think there is any chance anyone in that group will invest. There are a ton of sharks there, like bargain hunters looking to do quick flips or buy from retiring small owners who may not fully understand the value of what they are selling. So this may also be my way of gently poking fun of the whole group. Mostly, now I'm curious to see if the admin (a campground broker, of course) allows the post.
All right, time to break for lunch then come back to my RV office and work on next week's video update. Hope everyone is having a happy weekend!
We had a very good 90 minute discussion with the community members yesterday afternoon. The couple had a very real, very serious concern. It is a private issue, so I'm deliberately not going into the actual concern here. Instead, kudos to DH! He was wonderful, giving a direct and honest answer to the question as it was something we anticipated years ago. The sense of relief the couple felt in hearing an answer directly from us was obvious. I followed up with our actual engineered plans that show the land survey, environmental controls and additional voluntary work we are doing with berms and plantings to ensure privacy. Then we discussed other plans for the resort and bonded over a mutual love of Disney. Before the couple left, the lady asked if she could give me a hug. They were talking about booking their next anniversary at Standing Pines Resort as they left.
I followed up with a message this morning to make sure we completely answered their question. She sent me a very sweet response. Evidently, there were many conversations after they left us last night. They shared the info we provided with others in this large, local extended family. Those discussions were evidently also very positive, as she suggested we should keep an eye out on reservations. It sounds like most of their extended family is now also talking about booking stays with us. What a happy ending to this particular story!
By contrast, a different campground in another state shared some screenshots of their community struggles last night in one of the owner's groups. It really caught my eye as a contract to our experience with this local family. Even as they had very legit concerns, they approached us privately and gave us the grace to respond without doing a public blast. Thinking about that kind of approach versus what this other campground is dealing with left me with a profound appreciation of the courtesy of the Hartsville area.
That's not to say we have not had any community issues. We have had the occasional question or concern raised. I'm 100% certain there are some community members who reserving judgement until they see our actual impact, but overall we have been blessed with almost total public community support for Standing Pines. The family who sold us the land loves the campground as a way to see some of their family land developed. They stop in to visit and check on progress at least once a week. They have helped us sell the idea to the area, doing a lot of the heavy lifting for us behind the scenes. Several local ladies who also own small businesses reached out to me to connect and share ideas. Somewhat by design and somewhat by luck, we landed in a place where there are many, many locals who now jump to defend or explain Standing Pines when questions come up. Frankly, I doubt I know about a small percentage of these discussions. I think most of these concerns are getting addressed positively by Standing Pines fans without ever reaching us.
Our experience stands in sharp contrast to this other campground's struggle. Here are some of the images the other campground owner shared of their community opposition.
While I feel for this other campground and reached out to them to offer empathy and a listening ear, I am also extremely grateful Standing Pines is not facing those kinds of community challenges or PR problems.
Instead, I'm having fun almost challenging potential investors! Reaching the point where we don't actually need additional investors has made this much, much more fun for me. Here's a facebook post I created today for one of the RV park sales groups. Now, realistically, I don't think there is any chance anyone in that group will invest. There are a ton of sharks there, like bargain hunters looking to do quick flips or buy from retiring small owners who may not fully understand the value of what they are selling. So this may also be my way of gently poking fun of the whole group. Mostly, now I'm curious to see if the admin (a campground broker, of course) allows the post.
I know most of you in this group are probably on the hunt for your own slice of camping paradise to buy outright. Trust me, I get it - that's why we're building Standing Pines Resort!
But just in case we have accredited investors looking to mix things up with a passive investment opportunity, we've got a limited-time offer that might just pique your interest.
We're talking a 10% interest rate on a five-year convertible bond. That's right, you could be earning some serious cash while we do all the heavy lifting!
Construction on Phase 1 of Standing Pines Resort is already 50% complete, and we're set to open our doors on October 15 with 109 sites near Hartsville, SC. Check out this pic of us celebrating the halfway point with a spiffy logo in front of the clubhouse construction.
Let's save some time with some FAQs:
- Got an investor package? You bet we do!
- Considering creative financial arrangements? Sorry, not this time!
- Is the build fully funded? Yep, but extra investment could help us pave those roads before opening!
- Profitable yet? Not yet. We open on Dec 1.
- Other accredited investors on board? You know it, yes!
- Looking to sell the whole park? Nope, we're in it for the long haul!
- Active on social media? Yep! 1,600+ followers on facebook and growing every day!
Oh, and did I mention we opened reservations a few weeks ago? We've already got bookings rolling in six months before our soft opening. If you've got questions, fire away in the comments DM me. Let's chat! π¬
But just in case we have accredited investors looking to mix things up with a passive investment opportunity, we've got a limited-time offer that might just pique your interest.
We're talking a 10% interest rate on a five-year convertible bond. That's right, you could be earning some serious cash while we do all the heavy lifting!
Construction on Phase 1 of Standing Pines Resort is already 50% complete, and we're set to open our doors on October 15 with 109 sites near Hartsville, SC. Check out this pic of us celebrating the halfway point with a spiffy logo in front of the clubhouse construction.
Let's save some time with some FAQs:
- Got an investor package? You bet we do!
- Considering creative financial arrangements? Sorry, not this time!
- Is the build fully funded? Yep, but extra investment could help us pave those roads before opening!
- Profitable yet? Not yet. We open on Dec 1.
- Other accredited investors on board? You know it, yes!
- Looking to sell the whole park? Nope, we're in it for the long haul!
- Active on social media? Yep! 1,600+ followers on facebook and growing every day!
Oh, and did I mention we opened reservations a few weeks ago? We've already got bookings rolling in six months before our soft opening. If you've got questions, fire away in the comments DM me. Let's chat! π¬
All right, time to break for lunch then come back to my RV office and work on next week's video update. Hope everyone is having a happy weekend!