For Your Own Good From $250K to $32M The Bolt Farm Treehouse Story of Passion and Perseverance with Tori and Seth Bolt | Ep 030
In this episode, I’m at the Level Up Your Listing summit with powerhouse duo Tori and Seth Bolt, the visionary founders of Bolt Farm Treehouse—a luxury, mountaintop retreat built high above the clouds with views stretching across three states. What started as a honeymoon treehouse built by Seth and his dad became a transformative destination for couples to reset, reconnect, and deepen their relationships.
In just 3.5 years, the Bolts turned a $250 investment into a $32 million valuation—but not without setbacks. They lost everything due to Airbnb restrictions and struggled to secure funding, yet came back stronger than ever by building trust, relying on direct bookings, and doubling down on their mission.
In this episode, we talk about:
The power of passion-fueled profits
Why trust and intention are at the core of every great brand
How to create unique, unforgettable guest experiences
What it takes to build a business with your spouse
Why healthy businesses start with healthy business owners
The self-growth that happens when you go all-in on your vision
Why success can be a poor teacher—but failure builds resilience
Today, Tori and Seth lead the Bolt Short-Term Rental Workshop that teaches others how to break into the short-term rental market, build unforgettable stays, and create scalable, soulful businesses from the ground up.
Partners in life and business, Seth and Tori Bolt are the visionary co-founders of Bolt Farm Treehouse, an award-winning, 55-acre luxury mountaintop retreat in Tennessee. Featured on Netflix's The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals and boasting over 800,000 social media followers, they are one of the most influential brands in the outdoor hospitality space and have sparked a new era in experiential hospitality. Their nature-immersive, design-forward escapes blend sustainability with unmatched luxury, inspiring guests to reconnect with nature, their purpose, and each other. Named one of the top treehouse hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure, Bolt Farm is a haven of rest, romance, and inspiration.
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