Further expanding his footprint in the glamping industry, Nick Purslow, the managing director of Glampitect North America recently took to LinkedIn to announce the launch of Posh Outdoors, a new glamping venture he co-founded together with a team of glamping experts.
“I’m extremely excited to announce the launch of my brand new startup, Posh Outdoors. We truly believe this is going to be the next big thing in the outdoor hospitality industry,” Purslow’s LinkedIn post indicated.
In an exclusive e-mail interview with Modern Campground, Purslow, shared pivotal developments about his latest glamping industry venture.
The company is spearheading a crowdfunding initiative, allowing investments starting at just $100. This strategic move aims to democratize investment opportunities in the rapidly growing glamping industry.
“Investment can come from anywhere and from as little as $100, and investors will get a piece of a business that intends to operate dozens of sites across the US and Canada,” Purslow stated.
The next big thing
According to Purslow, Posh Outdoors originated from the vision of serial entrepreneur Kevin O’Brien, who recognized the lucrative potential of glamping after a personal experience.
“He ran some calculations in his head and realized the incredible ROI opportunities that glamping offers,” Purslow told Modern Campground.
This realization prompted a deep dive into the industry, leading to the formation of a formidable team, including Purslow and other industry experts like EJH Distribution’s Ed Haynes, O’Brien’s business partner Lee Pritchard, and Onera’s Ben Wolff.
Purslow conveyed that their glamping sites will showcase their commitment to boutique luxury glamping, which they see as the future of the industry. He pointed to board member Ben Wolff’s 11-unit site in Fredericksburg, Texas, as a prime example. Despite having no on-site staff, the site was valued at $7 million just 14 months after beginning operations, illustrating the type of employee-light, tech-centric model they plan to adopt for their partner properties.
Purslow stated, “We’re implementing a revenue share model, which is much more scalable than a ‘find land, buy it and build’ model.”
The glamping industry expert highlighted that the demand for glamping has skyrocketed while the supply has not kept pace, largely due to the slow pace of the traditional model. By partnering with landowners, they are able to bypass the lengthy and complex process of finding land, performing due diligence, and engaging in protracted negotiations.
Posh Outdoors’ core concept
The venture distinguishes itself by employing a revenue-sharing model with landowners, providing them with luxury, year-round glamping structures at no upfront cost. This model not only enhances scalability but also simplifies the traditional barriers that landowners face in entering the glamping market.
Posh Outdoor’s director of business development explained, “We supply landowners, primarily existing tourism businesses like wineries, wedding venues, and ranches, with luxury, year-round glamping structures at no up-front cost to the landowner.” He added that in exchange, they take a split of the revenue. He mentioned that very few companies use this revenue share model, providing them a significant advantage in terms of scalability. Purslow also pointed out that the no-up-front-cost model significantly reduces the financial barriers for landowners, making it more feasible for them to initiate and sustain a 10+ unit glamping operation.
Posh Outdoors prides itself on a business model that benefits from integrated supply and distribution chains through Glampitect North America and EJH Distribution. This synergy ensures a steady flow of potential sites, enabling selective partnerships with high-quality properties and operators.
The strategic integration within Posh Outdoors offers a competitive edge. “The true USP we have over other revenue share businesses is that our [structure, supply, and consultancy] are embedded within our company, ensuring a robust pipeline of landowner leads,” Purslow highlighted.
Potential challenges
Some of the challenges Posh Outdoors anticipates are particularly in ensuring consistent quality across its partner sites. Purslow acknowledges this, emphasizing the importance of selective partnerships. “We’re fortunate to have an incredibly strong pipeline of partners that allows us to be selective, ensuring we only pick the best properties and most competent operators,” he said.
“We have a contract signed for our first project in a stunning property in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, and our partner in this case has already operated and exited a successful glamping business in New Brunswick. The second partner we have lined up down in Florida is an experienced hotel operator and hospitality consultant. By attracting such a huge volume of partners, we ensure that we only need to select the absolute best.”
Goals
Looking ahead, Posh Outdoors is set to rapidly expand. “The first priority is to raise the initial capital to allow us to complete Project 1 in the Rockies and, if possible, Project 2 in Florida,” Purslow noted. A successful initial funding round will be followed by a Series A raise within three years to further scale the business.
For aspiring glamping entrepreneurs and current business owners, Posh Outdoors’ model offers insights into innovative business structures and partnership opportunities. The venture’s focus on high-end, low-overhead operations presents a new paradigm in maximizing ROI while ensuring scalability in the glamping sector.
This initiative by Posh Outdoors reflects a significant shift in how glamping businesses can attract investment and achieve growth, setting a new benchmark in the industry’s evolution.
To learn more, contact Purslow at [email protected] or visit Posh Outdoor’s WeFunder page here.
Featured image by Posh Outdoors via posh.dealpage.io