We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mallory Wilson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mallory, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Radio Ranch was born out of necessity and creativity. Owners, Mallory and Jeff were each experiencing cataclysmic shifts in their chosen industries. Mallory, an event coordinator, had a successful event coordination and event rental business in the Bay Area when COVID-19 shut down all gatherings for a then undetermined amount of time. Being too small to qualify for PPP loans, Mallory was forced to sell her home and all of her belongings and decided to move to Northern California to pursue a relationship with long time friend and crush, Sam Spies. Sam was a cannabis grower and Mallory hoped to break into that industry, thinking it was recession proof. Unfortunately, Sam passed away in August 2022. That same year cannabis prices fell from $1500 per pound to around $200 per pound. The small store that Mallory took a job with to earn a living during the pandemic fired her, following Sam’s death, siting that she had experienced “too much trauma” to be employed. Meanwhile, Jeff was also feeling the constraints of the cannabis collapsed. Farming had been his passion for over fourteen years. In fact, Sam had moved to California to work for Jeff. Jeff, Sam and Mallory attended high school together years before in Memphis, TN. When Sam died, Mallory and Jeff reconnected, quickly fell in love and started trying to form a new plan to make a living in a very rural community with limited opportunity. Through a series of tragic circumstances, Radio Ranch was born,

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Mallory’s background in event planning definitely shows up all over Radio Ranch…from interactive stations, entertaining art instillations, style and creativity seen throughout the property. Anticipating the needs of guests is the same, whether your guests are staying over night or they are gathering for an event, so this attention to detail really sets Radio Ranch apart from other accommodations. Additionally, being from the South, Mallory and Jeff bring Southern hospitality and charm to Northern California. It was a natural leap from events and entertainment to hosting. Jeff’s knowledge of landscaping and land management also is highlighted throughout the space. Those who understand forest management see and appreciate all of the hard work that Mallory and Jeff have put into maintaining the grounds. Jeff and Mallory have the benefit of the environment in mind with each and every project.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

Like any small town residents, we have to wear many hats. Because Radio Ranch is both of our full time jobs, it has to generate a lot of income in order to stay afloat and there is a cap to the amount we can charge per tent per night. In addition to our nightly rate, we offer a variety of add-ons so our guests can customize their stay. We have partnered with local florists to provide fresh flower arrangements, which makes us the prefect getaway for special occasions like anniversaries. Mallory is a licensed massage therapist, so she offers body work to our guests and locals. As a farmer, Jeff sells landscaping and native plants. We offer experiences on the property like our signature Bigfoot Encounter Photoshoot, gold panning kit (with map), DIY Trail Mix vending machines, and guided property tours to name a few.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

We aim to be unique. There are lots of glamping sites, but our experience is unlike any other. For starters, we have not crammed a bunch of tents together in the middle of a hot field. Our tents are nestled within an old growth forest with lots of shade and a babbling creek running next to them. The privacy of each space is unrivaled by competitors and the ambiance of the gentle breeze flowing through the trees and the nearby running water (with two waterfalls on property) creates the most restful and relaxing space that you have to feel for yourself to truly understand. At night, Jeff and Mallory have meticulously placed over 3k (and counting) solar lights throughout the forest. As the sun goes down, the lights come on, creating a subtle, but truly impressive light “show” unlike any other place on earth. It is always a fun surprise for guests, with practical purposes too. It allows guests to get settled in and adjust their eyes before it gets too dark. With no outside light pollution, many guests who are used to city living are unaware just how dark the forest can be. The solar lights help ease the transition and offer comfort to those who need it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.radioranchcamp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radioranchcamp/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radioranchcamp
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/radio-ranch-burnt-ranch
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@radioranchcamp

Image Credits
Credit: Radio Ranch/Mallory Wilson