What happens when a glamping dream meets a bank's hard "no"? For Avie and Ron Cabral, co-owners of The Petalstone House, it became the catalyst for something even better. Two years into their first-ever vacation rental, this husband-and-wife team has built a property rooted in heart, intentional design, and an unwavering commitment to the guest experience. Completely self-funded and learning as they go, Avie and Ron prove that big visions often begin with one determined step.

What is your full name, company name, and role?

We are Avie & Ron Cabral – we are partners and co-owners of the Petalstone House. We split responsibilities between us, covering Finance and Real Estate as well as Operations, Sales and Promotion, Marketing, and Social Media. We are both very hands-on because we want to understand the intricacies of the hospitality, hosting, and real estate business from top to bottom. Design, however, is fully my domain.

How long have you been in the vacation rental industry, and how did you get started?

This is our second year with The Petalstone House, and it is our very first vacation rental property.

I have always been curious about how people get started in this industry because acquiring real estate takes a tremendous amount of capital, collateral, and courage. We had a difficult time purchasing our first property using our own funds, and it made me wonder how others manage to turn their dream into reality. We did not have all the money lined up, but we decided to go for it anyway. What drove us was a yearning for a meaningful second act in life. Retirement and inactivity simply do not suit our nature. We reached a point where we knew we had to venture out and turn a long held dream into something tangible.

The spark really began in 2021 when we went upstate for a camping trip. Ron enjoys camping. I prefer camping with a proper bathroom. So we compromised and tried glamping. That trip introduced us to the Finger Lakes, and we absolutely fell in love with the region. The following year we returned, partly because we could not stop thinking about the gorges around Ithaca and partly because we loved the glamping experience so much. During that second visit, we met the owners of the glamping site where we stayed. They were incredibly kind and generous in sharing their story. They talked openly about how they started, the challenges they faced, the moments they almost gave up, and how they bootstrapped the entire business as a husband-and-wife team while competing with others who had more money, partners, and investors. They only had each other. That resonated deeply with us.

Their story stayed with me long after the trip ended. Since we had fallen for the Finger Lakes and discovered that land with water features was still somewhat attainable, we began searching for a place where we could build a glamping site of our own. We came very close several times, but financing was difficult and expensive. Banks loved the business plan. I even had an architect and builder lined up who specialized in glamping. But in the end, the banks told us we did not have enough experience and did not have the capital required for a project of that scale.

I was heartbroken. I cried, pouted, and sulked for a while. But Ron and I are not the kind of people who give up easily. We decided to pivot. Short term rentals had never really been our original plan. Glamping was the dream because we wanted to recreate and share the experience that had meant so much to us. Still, we realized that if we wanted to get there one day, we needed to start somewhere. So we decided to build our resume, continue saving, and take the first step on our own terms. We are completely self-funded, with no investors or partners. That pivot led us to our first short term rental, and that is how The Petalstone House came to life.

What is your favorite rental property you have and why do you love it?

Our favorite rental property is our first and only one: The Petalstone House. It is truly our "proof is in the pudding" project.

This home was a dream-come-true, trial-by-fire experience for us. It may not be the glamping project we originally set out to build, but it proved something even more important: that we can do this. Seeing something I carried in my head and heart for so long come to life has been indescribable. Walking through the house now and experiencing the atmosphere we hoped to create for guests is a feeling that never gets old.

While glamping is still the dream, The Petalstone House may very well be the universe reminding us that big visions often begin with small, determined steps. This house is our first step.

What do you love the most about hosting?

What I love most about hosting is preparing the property for our guests and creating an experience that makes them want to come back again and again. There is something incredibly satisfying about getting everything just right before they arrive, knowing that the space is ready to welcome them.

I also love the idea of giving people a break from their everyday routine. Offering them something a little different — a place where they can slow down, breathe, and enjoy time together in a beautiful setting. If guests leave feeling refreshed and happy they chose to stay with us, then we have done our job.

Can you share a particular moment or guest review that made all the hard work worth it?

There have been many moments that made the hard work worth it. And trust me, it is not always rainbows and butterflies. There have been times when Ron and I looked at each other and said, "Why did we decide to do this again?"

Overall, though, most of our guests were wonderful and respectful of the house. They notice the care we put into every detail, and they appreciate it. That means a lot to us.

I will admit, whenever a guest reaches out during their stay, our first reaction is usually a little panic. Our minds immediately go to, "What happened?" or "What's wrong now?" Sometimes those instincts are right. We once hosted four couples who used the house and the entire property thoroughly. Nothing was broken, but they definitely lived in the space. When they left, the house was quite dirty, and they never signed the guest book or left a review. That was one of those moments where we quietly said to ourselves, "Maybe this isn't worth it."

Then we had another group — a group of women friends — who absolutely loved the house from the moment they arrived. Unfortunately, during their stay the shower, oven, and dishwasher all decided to stop working. No hot water, no cooking, no dishwasher. An epic host nightmare. They were incredibly kind about it and even joked, "Well, now that we've gotten everything working again, we might have to charge you for our services." I was mortified that we had failed on the basics, so we sent them off on a wine adventure on us while we sorted everything out.

But then there are the moments that remind you why you started in the first place. One family left this in our guest book:

"We came here as a family to celebrate and honor a loving husband and father we lost one year ago. We shared memories, laughs, beautiful views, and stories around the firepit. This home is beautiful, peaceful, and calm, but also has a sense of joy which we all felt and hopefully contributed to. We hope to make this a yearly tradition and look forward to more memories shared and made here."

When I read that, I felt it deeply. Knowing that our home became the place where a family gathered, remembered someone they loved, and created new memories together — that made every bit of the hard work worth it.

How do you create unique and memorable experiences for your guests?

We imagined The Petalstone House not as owners, but as guests. We kept asking ourselves: What would we want to walk into? What would make us linger over our morning coffee a little longer? What would truly help us unwind?

In many ways, The Petalstone House really belongs to our guests. They are the ones who bring it to life. We also love listening to their feedback. We encourage guests to share their wish list with us, and when suggestions make sense and align with what other guests are saying, we incorporate them. The house continues to evolve because of the people who stay there, and that makes the experience even more meaningful for everyone.

What's one "pro-tip" you'd be willing to pass on to the community?

Always be honest and transparent with your guests and respond as quickly as you can. Communication goes a long way. Guests appreciate knowing that someone is paying attention and ready to help if something comes up.

Also, hire the best cleaning crew you can find and treat them well. They are the backbone of your operation. A great cleaning team protects your property, your reputation, and the guest experience.

And here is one that may surprise people: I never created a Welcome Guide or Welcome Book. I always thought, would I really want to sit down and read a whole book when I arrive somewhere to relax? Probably not. Instead, we place simple, unobtrusive signs around the property that help guests navigate the house and understand how things work. It keeps everything clear, easy, and stress free without overwhelming guests with pages of instructions.

What's the most recent item that you can remember that you've ordered from HostGPO?

I feel like I am always ordering something from HostGPO. What I love most are the Host Boxes, the toiletry amenities, and the mattresses. When we were getting the Petalstone House ready, I was overwhelmed by the bazillion items we needed to order and put together. Imagine furnishing and stocking an entire house for guests — the thought alone was paralyzing. HostGPO made that process possible and much easier. Jen and the team are incredibly responsive, creative, and full of great ideas.

What also stands out to me, and this is very important, is that they truly support hosts with just one property. It does not matter if your order is big or small. They cater to hosts like us who only have one property, and they treat every order with the same level of care. That makes a big difference.

What would you tell others about whether to join HostGPO?

No question and without any equivocation — You. Should. Join. When you are just starting out, especially if you only have one property like we do, HostGPO can give you a massive boost and a real head start. There are so many decisions to make and countless things to source when you are setting up a rental. Having a trusted partner who already understands what hosts need saves you an incredible amount of time, stress, and guesswork. They have been a great partner for The Petalstone House. From products to guidance to responsiveness, they make it easier for hosts to focus on what really matters: creating a wonderful experience for their guests.

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