Cabin Culture

• Renovate vs. Build l Janice Smith, Cozy Rock Cabin

  Today's episode is a solo deep dive into one of the biggest decisions you'll face on your cabin journey: should you renovate an existing property or build from scratch? This question came up recently when one of my best friends started asking about investing in a second property, and I realized how many of you might be wrestling with this same choice right now. While I love interviewing other folks in the cabin world, I'm finding that these focused solo episodes help those of you looking for specific, targeted answers as you get started on your own cabin and short-term rental hosting journey.I'm speaking from direct experience here—I've done both. My first primary home was a full gut renovation, a $65,000 mill house in Durham, North Carolina that I brought back to life. Then came Cozy Rock, our ground-up build that's now our highest revenue generator and honestly, my favorite place to be in the world. Most recently, we tackled Cozy Coast in Boothbay Harbor, a 195-year-old property where we're discovering design choices from another era and making decisions that pay respect to the people who lived there before us. Each project taught me something different about the unique advantages and very real challenges of renovation versus new construction.This isn't about which option is "better"—there's no universal right answer here. Instead, we're going to walk through the practical realities of both paths. We'll talk about cost considerations (and why I'm skeptical of "good deals" in real estate), the character that comes with breathing life back into an old space versus the creative freedom of a blank slate, the infrastructure challenges you'll face with each approach, and why finding the right builder might be the single most important decision you make. I'll also share some hard truths, like how 50 to 75% of people I've talked to who've been part of a build have borderline horror stories, and why digging a well can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $50,000 with no way to predict which end of that spectrum you'll land on. Whether you're drawn to the path of least resistance or ready to chase a dream that doesn't yet exist, this episode will help you think through which approach might be the right fit for where you are in your life right now.Instagram: @cozyrockcabin Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051 Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

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• From Emmy Awards to Cabin Cookbooks l Stephanie Hansen

  Today we're welcoming Stephanie Hansen, a four-time Emmy Award-winning television host, longtime radio personality, and author of "The True North Cabin Cookbook" volumes one and two. But what makes Stephanie's story particularly compelling for our cabin community is her raw honesty about what cabin ownership really means—including the moment she admits that the family's island cabin in Ely, Minnesota is what kept her in her marriage during the hardest years. "I would always think in the depths of the marriage not being awesome, two things. One was I still really like this man. And the second thing was... I don't know if I can ever not have my cabin."This isn't a polished story about picture-perfect family weekends. Stephanie talks candidly about the tension between being "cabin people" and "non-cabin people," the sacrifices required when you commit to cabin life (like her daughter never being able to play summer sports), and how the cabin became the place where three generations learned to coexist—from her 92-year-old mother-in-law to their daughter who grew up to become a serious canoer and Arctic expedition guide. What started as a cocktail waitress meeting her new boss evolved into a 32-year marriage anchored by this historic family place. The conversation takes an unexpected turn into food and storytelling when Stephanie shares how she turned family recipes into two published cookbooks—not fancy chef recipes, but the kind of food that makes people say "this is what cabin tastes like." We talk about legendary potato salads, why she's "almost embarrassed" by how simple some recipes are, and how reading cookbooks in bed at night is her version of literature. She also reveals the essential cabin kitchen items every host should have (spoiler: you need a big wooden salad bowl and cast iron you're not afraid to let guests use). Beyond the recipes and nostalgia, Stephanie offers sharp observations about the changing dynamics of cabin culture—the tension between long-time cabin owners and short-term renters, the economic reality that cabin ownership usually requires money, and her plea for democratizing access to nature. She champions the idea that "cabin can be a tent, cabin can be a car" and encourages people to find their own version of getting outside, even if it's not the million-dollar lakefront property. Whether you're someone who grew up at a family cabin and feels that bone-deep connection, you're trying to figure out if cabin life is right for you, or you simply want to understand why food and place are so deeply intertwined in cabin culture, this conversation offers both the romance and the reality of what it means to truly be cabin people.Instagram: @stephaniesdish                     @tastebudswithstephanie                     @dishingwithstephaniesdish                     @weeklydishmnYouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@stephaniesdishWhere to Order her Cookbook: https://www.stephaniesdish.com/cookbooks/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacbwXwauAaf4uYWXso8PAwKMya-_L-LLjGziS_I_CIlOvZ8aGFlCi2ENhl17A_aem_KB0i4K-bs_tby2pEjnDpQwhttps://amzn.to/4p1rog3Instagram: @cozyrockcabin Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051 Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

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• The Real Estate Cowboy l Spencer Wood

  Today we're welcoming Spencer Wood, known as the Real Estate Cowboy, who's calling in from inside his geodesic dome in Kingfield, Maine. Spencer has been living in a camper on his 10-acre property for nearly four years while building this unique structure—and he's still mid-build, which makes this conversation particularly valuable. While most guests come on after their projects are complete with polished success stories, Spencer shares the raw reality of being in the thick of it, wrestling with the tension between wanting to launch and make money versus honoring the vision that's been a decade in the making.What makes Spencer's story compelling is how it challenges conventional real estate wisdom. He didn't research the rental market or create a business plan—he simply wanted to build something different in a place he loves. After playing football at the University of Maine, he fell in love with the state and built an unconventional real estate career with 80,000 YouTube subscribers, selling 90% of his listings through video alone. Now he applies that same alternative thinking to his own build, choosing a 24-foot geodesic dome with marine vinyl exterior and a 14-foot window overlooking the Carrabassett River.We explore why tiny and alternative builds aren't always cheaper than traditional construction, the basics of land buying that nobody teaches you (like perc tests and road maintenance), and Spencer's side business Acres of Maine, where he buys land directly from owners and offers financing to keep property accessible for Mainers. He also shares his philosophy on living small—from his years on a boat in Portland to his current camper setup—and why he believes Maine is "the Alaska of the East Coast" for people seeking opportunity and freedom.Whether you're mid-build yourself and need to hear from someone in the trenches, considering alternative housing options, or dreaming about finding your own piece of Maine, this conversation offers honest perspective on choosing passion over perfection and building something truly unique.Instagram: @spencerwwoodWebsite:  https://www.lifestylepropertiesofmaine.com/realestate/agent/spencer-wood/Instagram: @cozyrockcabin Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051 Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

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• Branding As Vibe Creation l The Olive Jar

  Today we're welcoming Dawn from The Olive Jar, an experiential marketing studio specializing in vacation rental design and guest experiences. Dawn's path to this work is unconventional—she started in film advertising writing movie trailers, moved into documentary filmmaking with brands, and then spent years producing immersive culinary experiences before COVID shut down her entire industry. When short-term rentals exploded during the pandemic, she discovered that creating intimate experiences for cabin guests combined everything she'd learned about storytelling, production design, and emotional connection.What makes Dawn's approach different is her insistence that branding isn't just a logo or color palette—it's about creating a cohesive feeling from the moment someone discovers your property until long after they've checked out. She talks about branding as "vibe creation" and argues that if you have to tell people your stay is luxurious or experiential, you've already failed. The experience should speak for itself through carefully curated details.We explore why small touches like bubble wands or a doggy guest book can be more powerful than expensive amenities, how to translate your brand into marketing without overwhelming yourself, and why vulnerability and humanity in your communication matters more than perfect polish. Dawn shares her process for creating brand story guides that help hosts identify their ideal traveler and design experiences that create what she calls "core memories"—those multi-sensory moments that stick with people long after they leave.Whether you're struggling to define your brand, wondering how to market without being salesy, or trying to create genuine connection with guests through thoughtful details, this conversation offers a framework for thinking about hospitality as storytelling and generosity as your most powerful marketing tool.Instagram: @theolivejar.coBooking Site: https://theolivejarhostingquiz.scoreapp.com/ Instagram: @cozyrockcabin Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051 Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

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• Decision Fatigue and Budget Overruns l Hyggeland Cabin

  Today we're welcoming Sarah and Matt from Hyggeland Cabin in upstate New York, who built their own cabin from the ground up—a decision born from a COVID-era road trip and a serendipitous introduction to Den Outdoors cabin plans. What makes their story particularly compelling is they started dating in May 2020, bought land together on their one-year anniversary, and spent the next two years building a cabin while navigating a brand new relationship.Sarah grew up in a handy New Hampshire household where building additions and self-sufficiency were the norm, while Matt came from Hong Kong and Los Angeles with zero carpentry experience. Their journey together became as much about Matt discovering a new identity as a blue-collar builder as it was about creating a physical space. They touched every piece of wood in their cabin—Matt sanding and Sarah staining—while managing the project themselves and learning to navigate decision fatigue, budget overruns, and relationship dynamics.Their unique living situation adds another layer: they actually live in the cabin except when it's rented, which means they're constantly commuting two and a half hours from their Westchester apartment for turnovers. This hands-on approach has given them deep insights into what makes a space functional, from hidden storage with childproof locks to phone chargers at every bedside.We explore their philosophy of building with love, why they chose hourly contractor rates despite the uncertainty, how they've embedded themselves in their local community through volunteer firefighting, and their honest reflections on burnout, relationship strain, and why they're already planning to build another cabin despite saying they'd never do it again.Whether you're considering a DIY build, navigating a major project with a partner, or wondering how to balance living in your rental property, this conversation offers candid insights from a couple who learned everything the hard way.Instagram: @hyggelandcabin Booking Site: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1150094111589366186?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaedjMdYkKtkd_J6LLAt7glhegEPG8HNDSbdKcsDtPzogFSuvyAS2WsHIqm5mg_aem_bAsfyE2-cGhia2He_BtZ8QInstagram: @cozyrockcabin Cozy Rock Cabin: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311027Cozy Camp Sebec: https://staycozycabin.holidayfuture.com/listings/311051 Cozy Rock Website: http://www.staycozycabin.com  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_FgMwAgvORd1IwlH1nlC9g

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