Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Bear.
Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started Marshmallow Memories Cabin Retreats in 2020 as a way to fill some of my extra time and stay busy while my husband, Kyle, was deployed overseas with the Texas Army National Guard. I had been successfully self-managing two short-term cabin rentals in Broken Bow, Oklahoma when I began to be approached by fellow owners who asked if I would consider managing their properties in addition to my own. I agreed and Marshmallow Memories Cabin Retreats was born.
The business quickly grew in 2 short years from 2 to 40 properties under management and has evolved from a side hustle that helped me pass the time while Kyle was deployed to a passion that has allowed me to use my business knowledge and love for family vacations to help guests plan proposals, birthday celebrations, holiday get-togethers, and quality time for family and friends in the beautiful and serene mountain air of Broken Bow, Oklahoma. When Kyle returned from his deployment, he left his law practice to join our company full-time and in doing so has truly found his niche working together with our team to ensure we deliver a great experience for every guest, every stay.
I grew up in Oklahoma spending weekends at the lake with my family. I have such fond memories of being able to get away from the city to spend quality family time together watching the seasons change. In such a fast-paced world, I love that our business provides an opportunity to help other families slow down, even if just for a weekend, to make those memories together, too.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think there is ever a smooth road without obstacles or challenges when starting and growing your own business. It’s a constant cycle of trial and error and learning until you find something that works. At the same time, you have to be willing to always adapt to new trends, technologies, and general outside variables that have the potential to significantly change the way you do business.
In our 2 years of owning and operating Marshmallow Memories Cabin Retreats, we have had to navigate the uncertainty of COVID and a volatile economy. As we grew, we had to learn property management software, website building, digital and social media marketing, and portfolio strategy, among other things, in order to keep our properties consistently booked in a market where the competition is ever-increasing. It’s a challenge, but one that we enjoy and welcome because we love what we do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Marshmallow Memories Cabin Retreats?
Marshmallow Memories Cabin Retreats is a property management company for luxury short-term cabin rentals in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. We manage a collection of cabins with amenities such as hot tubs, fully stocked kitchens, walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, soaking tubs, steam saunas, fireplaces and fire pits, flowing creeks, fishing ponds, kayaks, pool tables, ping pong tables, foosball, shuffleboard, arcades, horseshoes, outdoor games, playsets for kids, EV chargers, boat parking, and (coming soon!) swimming pools.
If you have never been to the Broken Bow area, now is the time to discover it. The rural town is based around Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park with the majority of cabins being minutes away from the lake, restaurants, and entertainment for all ages. Only a 3-hour drive from the Dallas area, this destination is a nature lover’s retreat offering 80-ft tall pine trees, breathtaking mountain views, peaceful hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming. If indoor living is more your thing, the cabins are fully equipped to enjoy a luxurious and relaxing getaway from the city any time of year. We can’t wait to host you!
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am generally risk averse. My husband had a lot of convincing to do for me to even consider and, eventually, get on board with purchasing our first Broken Bow investment property. But I also realize that there are very few rewards in life that come without some uncertainty…without some risk. Had we not taken that first risk (and many more along the way), I and our company would not be where we are today. I applaud anyone who takes a risk to follow a passion whether it ends up working out exactly as scripted or not. It takes courage to try and that should be celebrated and supported by the community whenever possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mmcabinretreats.com
- Instagram: @mmcabinretreats
- Facebook: @mmcabinretreats
Image Credits
Matt Cameron
