We were lucky to catch up with Brianna Rodgers recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Brianna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Success, comes down to three main qualities: perseverance, resilience, and community. Perseverance means not giving up, no matter how challenging or dark things get. There were times during the process of building Sweetbriar Ridge when we didn’t know if we would ever see it through—times when we faced countless setbacks, from revoked permits to financial pressure to corrupt contractors. What kept us moving forward was sheer grit, pure perseverance, and the refusal to take no for an answer. Even when one of us was ready to give up, the other would push forward and carry us through that moment.
Secondly, resilience was key. Resilience comes from going through tough times and coming out stronger on the other side. The two years we spent fighting to get our permits were some of the hardest moments in our lives, both personally and as a couple. Sleepless nights, the anxiety of looming debt, and uncertainty about our future with everything hanging on the line—it all tested us. But it also made us more resilient. Now, we know we can handle whatever comes our way because we’ve faced obstacles that seemed insurmountable and overcame them.
Lastly, finding a strong community is key. We couldn’t have made it through without the support of our friends, family, and faith community. They were there when we needed encouragement and reminded us of why we started this journey in the first place. They helped us see the bigger picture when we were overwhelmed by the day-to-day challenges.
One story that stands out is when our building permit was revoked the week before construction was set to begin, and we had to hire an architect and attorney to fight for our right to build. It was an incredibly stressful and costly process, but we leaned on each other and those around us to keep going. What could have been the end of our dream became the foundation of who we are today—resilient, stronger, and more committed to our vision than ever.
If we could give two pieces of advice, it would be this:
Success begins with just one small step. You don’t need to be an expert to begin. Your first move doesn’t have to be perfect, and you don’t need to have everything figured out from the start. What matters is taking action toward your goal. If it turns out to be the wrong step, learn from it, adjust, and try again. Progress comes from movement, not from waiting for the perfect moment or reward—momentum builds through action, not rumination.
Finally, finding your ‘why’ is crucial. When things get tough (as it will)—when everything feels dark, scary, and uncertain—you have to dig deep and remember your purpose. There were countless times we were knocked down, told ‘no,’ or faced what seemed impossible, but giving up was never an option. Our ‘why’ kept us going through it all.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Sweetbriar Ridge is more than just a place to stay; it’s a destination designed to help guests reconnect with nature, themselves, and each other. We started dreaming of Sweetbriar Ridge back in 2017, inspired by the idea of creating a special place where people could escape the busyness of everyday life. After years of research, hard work, and some tough challenges, we opened our doors to guests seeking a unique and healing experience in nature.
Our micro-resort offers a luxurious stay in three geodesic domes nestled on 56 private acres of prairie and forest, just an hour North of the Twin Cities. Each dome is thoughtfully designed to provide all the comforts of home, including in-floor heating, modern kitchens, and cozy bedrooms with stunning views of the landscape. We also offer seasonal activities like hiking, snowshoeing, paddle boarding, and more, allowing guests to fully embrace the beauty of the outdoors.
The problems we solve for our guests go beyond providing a place to stay. We recognize that many people need a break from their hectic lives, a chance to reset and refresh. Whether it’s someone dealing with the stress of their job, the effects of trauma, or simply needing a technology detox, Sweetbriar Ridge provides the space for healing and rejuvenation. Our goal is to create a home away from home where guests feel seen, known, and cared for—even if we never meet them face-to-face.
What sets us apart from others is the personal touches we create for our guests. We go above and beyond to make sure every detail of our guests’ experience is exceptional. From luxurious amenities like towel warmers and waffle cotton robes to the carefully curated decor and personalized welcome notes, and QR codes with videos that anticipate the needs of our guests (such as how to make the perfect French Press coffee), we aim to make every stay feel special and meaningful. We also prioritize sustainability and work to restore the native prairie and forest landscape on our property, which adds to the peaceful and restorative environment our guests enjoy.
We also love being part of our guests’ special moments. Whether it’s birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, honeymoons, or any other milestone, we take joy in helping to create the perfect setting for those cherished memories. Sweetbriar Ridge is a place where love and life are celebrated, and we feel honored to be part of those celebrations.
What we’re most proud of is the sense of belonging and peace our guests feel during their stay. The overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve received, from five-star reviews to heartfelt personal messages, reassures us that Sweetbriar Ridge is having the positive impact we hoped for. We want to be a bright spot in our guests’ lives, a place where they can pause, breathe, and reset before returning to their everyday routines.
Giving back to the community is also a big part of what we do. We’ve partnered with local nonprofits and the local treatment center in town to contribute towards community healing, especially for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By offering our space and support, we aim to help individuals begin their healing process and make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most.
If there’s one thing we want potential clients, followers, or fans to know, it’s that Sweetbriar Ridge is not only a luxury getaway—it’s a space designed for healing, connection, and renewal. We invite you to come and experience the calm, beauty, and care that makes Sweetbriar Ridge so special.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
When we first started dreaming about Sweetbriar Ridge, David and I spent years saving as much as we could from our 9-to-5 jobs—David as a paramedic and myself as an outdoor educator. We didn’t make a lot of money, but we were disciplined about living within our means. That meant no fancy trips or new cars, just putting away as much as possible for our future business.
During COVID, we took advantage of lower interest rates and refinanced our home, using the equity we built as a down payment on the land for Sweetbriar Ridge. We wanted our money to stay in the community, so we approached a local credit union, which required us to put 20% down on the property.
Once we had the land, we worked hard to develop a solid business plan, which we pitched to the same credit union for a construction loan. This helped us fund the development of the land and build our domes. However, we hit a major setback when a new building inspector revoked our permits, causing a two-year delay. We were over budget due to unexpected design changes and still needed to make payments on our loans, so we had to secure a second, smaller business loan to keep the project moving forward.
Throughout this process, David and I invested a significant amount of our own personal money, along the way. We even had to rely on business credit cards—something we never expected to do, as we initially didn’t believe in credit cards or carrying debt. While maxing out credit cards was a scary move, it’s a reality for many first-time entrepreneurs, and we did what was necessary to see our vision come to life and the long term pay off investing in real estate.
In the end, we were able to secure enough funding to build Sweetbriar Ridge in phases, thanks to the local credit union, a strong appraisal, and the Entrepreneur Fund. Their belief in our vision, coupled with our own financial discipline and support from family and friends, enabled us to turn Sweetbriar Ridge into the unique, healing retreat it is today.
How did you build your audience on social media?
We started building our audience by being transparent and sharing our journey from the very beginning. We created our Instagram account after purchasing the land and documented the entire process of building Sweetbriar Ridge—from breaking ground to the challenges and triumphs along the way. The key was bringing our audience along for the ride, making them feel like they were part of the journey. We shared both the highs and lows, creating a deeper connection with our followers by being real and open.
Consistency was crucial. We showed up regularly in people’s stories, created carousels to engage and nurture our followers, and used reels to reach new audiences. Networking also played a big role in our growth. We partnered with travel influencers, trading free stays for content and exposure, which helped us reach a broader audience. One of our most successful moments was when we launched our first dome and hosted a giveaway for a free three-night stay in our Solidago dome. This significantly boosted both our Instagram following and newsletter subscribers.
For anyone starting to build a social media presence, our advice would be:
1. Bring your audience along for the ride: Everything can be content, from progress updates to behind-the-scenes moments. People want to feel connected to your personal journey, so don’t be afraid to share both the challenges and successes. A client would rather buy from a person than a business. So show up in your stories and be authentic! And don’t be afraid to post and try something new.
2. Be consistent: Consistency helps build trust and keeps you top-of-mind. Also, no one is an expert with the algorithm, so don’t let that fool you. Keep posting. Assess what worked. And repeat.
3. Focus on your audience’s needs: Don’t just share what you think is important as a business owner. Try to understand the needs of your ideal client or follower and come at content creation from their perspective. You’re solving a problem or fulfilling a need for them, so focus on that.
4. Remember, emotions sell: Information alone doesn’t drive engagement—feelings and emotions do. People connect with stories, experiences, and authenticity, so make sure to create content that resonates emotionally with your audience.
5. Network and collaborate: Partnering with influencers or other businesses can be a great way to grow your audience. For us, trading free stays for content and exposure was incredibly helpful in building momentum without a large marketing budget.
6. Don’t reinvent the wheel: Explore successful reels in your niche, analyze what made them work, and then repeat those concepts in your own unique way. There’s no need to start from scratch – just make it your own!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sweetbriarridgemn.com
- Instagram: sweetbriar_ridge
- Facebook: Sweetbriar Ridge
Image Credits
Izzy Waite