Inside a $29 Million Treehouse Resort Business: Funding, Management, and Bookings (with Ben Wolff)

Radical Hospitality Show

In today's episode, I sat down with Ben Wolff, visionary co-founder of Onera and OAC, who has redefined upscale hospitality with unique stays and innovative landscape hotels. Starting in short-term rentals, Ben scaled to managing 200 units before transitioning into groundbreaking projects like Onera Fredericksburg and Wimberley.

We explore:

• How Ben leveraged lease arbitrage and short-term rentals to build cash flow.
• The development process behind Onera’s luxury landscape hotels.
• Challenges with prefabrication, construction, and scaling operations.
• Why social media marketing is key to driving direct bookings and increasing ADR.
• Tips for entrepreneurs on raising capital, building a team, and crafting unique guest experiences.

0:00 Introduction
5:01 The Beginnings: From Short-Term Rentals to Unique Hotels
20:01 Building Onera: Challenges and Successes
35:01 Scaling and Innovations in Hospitality
50:01 Future Vision and Advice

Connect with Ben Wolff:

• LinkedIn: Ben Wolff
• Instagram: @iambenwolff
• Twitter: @uniquestaysguy

Connect with Zeke Freeman:
Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture
YouTube: @rootarchitecture
Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment
LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman
X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot
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