AGA Member Spotlight: Mike and Melissa Crowe, founders of Mitten Getaways Glamping Co.
Mike and Melissa Crowe, founders of Mitten Getaways Glamping Co.
Mike is a pharmacist who has hosted guests in his home on Airbnb. Melissa is a full-time mom to our two daughters (and one on the way). They love traveling together as a couple and with their daughters, usually finding places in Michigan to connect with nature, including glamping in cottages and wineries, hiking in parks, and other outdoor attractions.
Q: Tell us a bit more about why you started a company in the glamping industry.
We stumbled upon glamping before we knew what glamping was. While we were looking for a home, we found a large parcel (176 acres!) of vacant farmland, which was very peaceful and secluded. It inspired the idea for an event barn on it's lake and a handful of these domes that I had seen online. That land sold before we had a chance to make an offer on it, but it gave us an opportunity to refine our idea. We eliminated the event barn because we felt it would interfere with the peace and seclusion we hoped to provide our guests.
We also attended the 2022 Glamping Show and were exposed to the amazing variety of glamping structures out there. We fine tuned our model to what we call Michiglamping - our version of glamping, with a variety of accommodation types, space between them for privacy, on secluded land with plenty of activities, operating year-round. Melissa loves homesteading and we plan to have farm animals, a garden, greenhouse, fresh produce, etc. for our guests. Mike loves managing projects and technology and this entrepreneurial venture has been the biggest challenge he's enjoyed facing to date.
Q: Tell us a bit about where your glamping business is today? Where do you see your business in the future?
We have land under contract and are currently trying to procure township approval and raise funds through investors and sale of our guest loyalty program - the 5 Finger Discount Club (https://mittengetaways.com/loyalty).
Q: What are you most excited about within the glamping industry moving forward?
We are most exciting for the possibility of moving from aspiring operator to actual operator! Then we can manage our business and create an awesome experience for our guests.
Q: Do you have any advice for those that are just starting out?
My advice for someone starting out is to join the AGA and get involved; build and leverage relationships with those who have more experience than you. It'll speed things up and save you from making some mistakes.
