We recently connected with Matt Arnold-Ladensack and have shared our conversation below.

Matt, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

Building a guest ranch from scratch with Clydesdale horses and overcoming rejections and obstacles around many corners.

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?

I am Matt Arnold-Ladensack, the CEO of Clydesdale Outpost – a boutique guest ranch situated in the captivating town of Whitefish, Montana. Our establishment is known for its breathtaking Clydesdale horses, which add a special touch of charm to our guests’ stay.

My extensive experience in the hospitality industry spans over a decade, during which I managed short term vacation rentals across several areas, including the Hollywood Hills, Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Portland-metro region.

I also have a real estate team and film/marketing expertise that I pour into our social media and building our brand online via Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Aspiring to create a unique brand and break into the larger industry of experience-based vacation destinations, my husband and I decided to combine our passions. My love for hospitality and his fervor for breeding Clydesdale horses gave birth to the idea of introducing people to this vulnerable breed of horses while offering them a once-in-a-lifetime experience of staying with them at Clydesdale Outpost.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The original concept for Clydesdale Outpost was born in the charming town of Amboy, nestled in the heart of Clark County, Washington. However, our journey was far from smooth sailing. We encountered major roadblocks along the way, including opposition from the county authorities who were skeptical of our guest ranch classification. The lack of provisions for guest ranches in the local code and the bullying tactics of the staff were constant hurdles we had to navigate. We worked tirelessly with the County Counselors to amend the code, although it was a grueling process. We don’t know if it was personal animosity, but the experience was undeniably challenging.

Despite the setbacks, we were fueled by the incredible response from people who were drawn to the allure of Clydesdale Outpost and our majestic horses. Our first year was booked out, which affirmed our vision to expand and bring our unique concept to a wider audience. However, our dreams were cut short when we were forced to leave the home we had created.

But fate had other plans for us. We found ourselves in the idyllic town of Whitefish, Montana, which proved to be the perfect home for our operation. The town embraced our vision and understood the cultural significance of what Clydesdale Outpost represents, giving us a new lease on life.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Benjamin and I’s fateful encounter took place in the picturesque town of Saugatuck, Michigan. At the time, I was fully immersed in the film industry, passionately directing an indie film. As destiny would have it, our paths crossed and we instantly felt a magnetic connection.

The only hiccup was that Ben resided in Germany at the time. However, distance was no match for our unwavering desire to be together. We embarked on a transcontinental journey, traveling back and forth between LA and Germany a staggering 13 times before Ben ultimately made the bold decision to relocate to the US.

Our love story was rife with romantic twists and turns, but ultimately served as a testament to the power of true love. Our willingness to do whatever it took to be together was the defining factor that brought us to where we are today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.clydesdaleoutpost.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clydesdale_outpost
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clydesdaleoutpost
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-arnold-ladensack-68a56114
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clydesdaleoutpost