How Isaac French Overcame $2.3M Debt and Airbnb Ban Into $7M Exit For His Bold Luxury Vacation Resort Project

At the young age of 24, Isaac French embarked on an ambitious project that would test his limits, creativity, and resolve. He borrowed $2.3 million to construct seven luxury cabins on a serene lake, envisioning a unique getaway spot. However, the journey was fraught with unexpected challenges, from platform suspensions to personal injuries, yet it ended in a triumphant sale, demonstrating the power of determination and innovation in the face of adversity.

The Backstory of a Dreamer

Isaac French’s story begins on a farm where he was homeschooled as the fifth of ten children. His father was a plumber, and his grandfather, Byron, built homes, instilling in him a foundation in construction. His grandmother, Jan, nurtured his artistic side with weekly drawing lessons.

As he grew, Isaac and his brothers spent their summers working in construction with their father and grandfather, simultaneously launching various side hustles. By 19, he was managing projects on his own, blending his love for art, architecture, nature, and building into a singular dream.

The Vision Takes Shape

His dream began to materialize when, at 24, he stumbled upon a listing on Zillow for a 5-acre plot just down the road from his home. Overgrown with briars, it hid majestic Live Oaks and a muddy cow pond. Stepping onto the land, Isaac felt an immediate connection; this was the place. Within two hours, he had the property under contract for $138,000.

With the support of his brothers, he secured initial funding through their line of credit, giving them equity in the project. The real challenge was securing substantial capital. Isaac, with no clear roadmap, sketched plans, created a financial model, and began pitching to banks.

Overcoming Obstacles

After months of rejections, a local bank finally agreed to finance 80% of the appraised value. Post-closing, Isaac and his friends started clearing the land. Spring 2021 brought its own set of challenges; construction costs soared, supply chains were slow, labor was scarce, and the weather was unusually rainy.

But Isaac pressed on, also managing to build and sell a spec home nearby, netting $170,000, which, along with his $30,000 savings, was reinvested into Live Oak Lake. His commitment was tested further when he suffered a severe injury, falling from a ladder and breaking his pelvis just before Thanksgiving. Despite surgeries and recovery on crutches, with the help of friends, the project was completed in 9.5 months for a total of $2.3 million.

The Launch and the Setback

Live Oak Lake was finally ready to welcome guests, and Isaac took a moment to breathe. However, their celebration was short-lived. Without warning, Airbnb suspended all their listings, leaving them with no bookings and no income.

Customer service was unhelpful, stating the issue was beyond their control. Facing potential disaster, Isaac pivoted, creating a direct booking site with Hostaway and starting an Instagram account.

The Turnaround

In a bold move, Isaac paid a Texas travel influencer $950 for an Instagram giveaway, which remarkably led to 5,000 new followers and $40,000 in direct bookings within just a week. As if by fate, Airbnb then reinstated their listings, citing a “system glitch.” This unexpected setback turned into a catalyst for growth, pushing Isaac to focus entirely on social media marketing and influencer partnerships.

Success Beyond Expectation

The first year was a testament to their strategy’s success, with over $1 million in revenue, a net operating income of $550,000, 94% occupancy, and growing their social media presence to over 120,000 followers. Remarkably, 80% of their bookings were direct.

Six months later, they received an offer to buy out Live Oak Lake for $7 million, translating to $1 million per cabin. The timing was perfect, and Isaac couldn’t refuse. The deal was finalized a few months later.

Lessons Learned

From this journey, Isaac French learned invaluable lessons: the power of pursuing a dream, the importance of finding the right partners over having vast capital, and the critical need to own your audience. His story is a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing that with passion, resilience, and strategic thinking, even the most daunting challenges can lead to extraordinary success.

Isaac French’s Journey of Building and Selling Live Oak Lake

Isaac French’s adventure with Live Oak Lake from construction to sale is not just a business story but an inspiring narrative of overcoming personal and professional obstacles. His experience underscores the significance of adaptability, leveraging modern marketing tools, and never losing sight of one’s vision. This tale of Live Oak Lake will continue to inspire those who dream big and are willing to work tirelessly to see those dreams come to life.