We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lorrie Davidson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lorrie below.
Hi Lorrie , thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
Ah, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Honestly, starting a business isn’t just about chasing profits; it’s about following a calling, building something meaningful, and carving out your own little corner of the world.
For the three of us, each had our own reasons. My dad saw this venture as a way to make his retirement savings stretch while creating a space where families could gather, just like ours has done over the years. My brother? He craved a hands-on business where he could unleash his creativity and build something lasting. As for me, after years as a stay-at-home mom, I was ready to dive into a project that got me out of the house and back into the swing of things—reawakening skills I hadn’t tapped into for a while. I’ve always loved the idea of opening our doors to folks from all walks of life, creating a space where guests can make lifelong memories. Designing the space, crafting the brand, setting the vibe—it was a dream come true. We weren’t just building a business; we were crafting an experience, an atmosphere that would resonate with others as much as it did with us.
Do we wish we’d started sooner? Absolutely. Imagine the extra time we’d have to dream up even more out-of-the-box ideas—treehouses, yurt villages, teepees under the stars—you name it. There’s no doubt that with a little more runway, we’d have even more stories to tell. But truth be told, we believe we kicked off this adventure at just the right moment. We were all at a stage in life where experience and a bit of that hard-earned wisdom could fuel our success. We had the right mix of guts, grit, and imagination to give it our all.
So, while there’s a part of us that yearns for more time to bring even wilder ideas to life, there’s also a sense that we launched this journey precisely when we were meant to. After all, we’re not just building a business; we’re crafting a legacy—whether that means passing it down to the next generation or just knowing we poured our heart and soul into creating something truly special.
Lorrie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We are a family owned real estate investment company that started in 2018. We started out with several long term rental properties and acquired Cowtown Casa as our first vacation rental property. Our collective vision was to seek and create a large capacity modern retreat with a rustic western vibe paying homage to our Fort Worth community, while creating a relaxing space for large groups of people so families and friends could create lasting memories. It is our desire to bless all of our guests the way God has blessed our family.
Cowtown Casa isn’t just another spot to rest your head—it’s a destination all on its own. Here, you’re not just passing through; you’re diving into an experience. Think about it: fishing, swimming, shooting hoops, soaking in the spa, cozying up by the fire pit, or sipping cocktails at the poolside bar. You can catch a glimpse of horses grazing nearby, play some corn hole, throw a poker tournament, or show off your pool table skills. The fun is never ending in the game room with foosball and shuffleboard tables. With 3.5 acres of wide-open Texas landscape just outside of Fort Worth, our property is ready to welcome stock trailers, four-legged pals, and groups of all sizes.
Our outdoor space is truly something special—ideal for everything from family reunions and company retreats to sports gatherings and wedding weekends. We just added an amazing rustic outdoor kitchen with 11 built in tractor seats, a large capacity charcoal/wood grill and propane grill as well as a hibachi style grill, with double side burner and fridge to make your outdoor dinning experience one that the cows would come home to. Plus, we’re only 12 miles from the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards and downtown, putting all the action just a short drive away.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Just when we thought we had things figured out—funding secured, eyes set on finding the perfect property—the world threw us a curveball. COVID hit, and with it came a whole heap of uncertainty. The real estate market turned upside down, and suddenly, we were thinking about pivoting from long-term rentals to vacation rentals, even though the future of the industry felt as unpredictable as a Texas tornado.
With home prices climbing, property insurance harder to come by than a needle in a haystack, and the cost of materials and labor going through the roof, we started to wonder if we’d waited until the absolute worst time to make our dream a reality. We had initially planned to outsource most of the work, but when reliable help became scarce, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work ourselves—one hammer swing at a time.
We didn’t just tackle projects; we tackled them with prayer and plenty of grit. There’s a kind of peace that comes when you know you’re not in the struggle alone—that you can tap into God’s wisdom when things get tough. And let me tell you, there were days when tough felt like an understatement. But time and again, He showed up, giving us the resilience to push forward.
We faced plenty of moments where discouragement crept in, but we kept moving forward with faith, one drywall sheet, and one coat of paint at a time. Looking back, it wasn’t just a test of our resilience; it was a testament to His faithfulness. We’re proud to say that even when the journey felt like a wild ride, we held on tight, leaned on our faith, and came out stronger on the other side.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
Picture this: we’d just opened our doors a mere four months earlier, still getting our bearings in the vacation rental world, when a message came through a booking platform. It was a media company, interested in interviewing us for a televised series. Now, any seasoned vacation rental owner knows the drill—scammy messages are as common as tumbleweeds in Texas. So, naturally, my first thought was, “Yeah, right.”
But just to cover our bases, I responded professionally, which led to a Zoom call that started looking more legit. They were pitching a chance to feature us in a show—a big break for a brand-new business like ours! Of course, there was a marketing fee involved. If it was real, it would be a fantastic investment. But if it was a scam, it would be a costly mistake.
I researched the company, the affiliates, every detail I could find. They seemed genuine, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking anyone can create a shiny website these days. I was sweating bullets up until the moment the film crew knocked on our door. If this turned out to be a scam, I was ready to hear “I told you so” from my family until the cows came home.
Luckily, they were the real deal. As the crew wrapped up, I couldn’t help but laugh and thank them for not being a scam! The episode aired in Staycation: Dallas Fans Edition, giving us fantastic exposure and a solid start to our journey. It was a wild risk, but it paid off big, setting the stage for our brand and proving that sometimes, the big risks really do bring the biggest rewards.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cowtowncasa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowtowncasa?igsh=ZXNpamIwMGlsYmty&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080329804915&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://x.com/cowtowncasa?s=21&t=sNackZEKlgiCLTNs2kIU-g
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cowtowncasa?si=tRTup7fGJfK53c26
Image Credits
118 Real Estate Media
Samantha Starky