Inspiring Conversations with Katherine & Brian Rickert of Shortoff Mountain Retreats

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine & Brian Rickert.

Hi Katherine & Brian, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Our baby was almost two weeks late when a wooded 10 acre lot tucked away on Shortoff Mountain popped up on a Zillow search. It was gorgeous: mountain views in all directions, a trickling creek, within walking distance to Linville Gorge hiking trails and just up the mountain from beautiful Lake James. We knew it wouldn’t last long and it was too far from home to visit that pregnant so we ended up putting in an offer sight unseen. That gamble paid off as it was even better in person…and that is part one of how Shortoff Mountain Retreats, our cabin booking company, started unexpectedly.

In December 2020, the cabin, located about 45 minutes east of Asheville was a few months from completion. As Katherine often tells friends, buying 10 acres escalated quickly and we ended up buying a small portable sawmill. We created Carolina Heartwood to repurpose the trees cleared during excavation into affordable cabin furniture. The sawmill led us to a client inquiring about why we bought a sawmill. The client mentioned that his company did guided hikes in the Linville Gorge for Marines and Sailors. The outdoor experiences were part of a military chaplain’s program for marriage and resiliency retreats and the program needed a logistical hub to support a multi-day hike to a climbing route on Table Rock. As a veteran and a military family, we wanted to support their work and understood the need in our community.

We created Shortoff Mountain Retreats to enter government contracts to begin hosting these military resiliency retreats. In 2021, we hosted 8 retreats for Camp Lejeune. We’re excited to continue hosting military retreats this year, including a spring retreat for the U.S. Naval Academy.

Our charity outreach initiative has continued to grow as well. In 2021, we raised over five thousand dollars for local charities through cabin stay donations. The local charities benefited schools, military spouses, and Gold Star families. We expect our charity outreach to grow in 2022, and already raised two thousand dollars for a local school.

In addition, the Shortoff Mountain Retreat log cabin is available for rent through Greybeard Realty and VRBO. The income from short-term rentals help cover expenses and support our charity outreach. The 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath authentic log cabin boasts a floor plan that can accommodate three families comfortably with multiple living areas, three ensuite bedrooms, and a custom double bunkroom.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any new business, we experienced several obstacles and challenges including COVID, price increases, construction delays, surgery, raising kids, and weekly long trips out to the cabin.

As you know, we’re big fans of Shortoff Mountain Retreats. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re proud of our military support and charity outreach. I think that separates us from other short-term rentals.

Creating a cabin that hosts three families is also important to us. We had difficulty finding rentals that could accommodate grandparents, all the siblings, and children. We wanted the cabin to be comfortable and create new memories for families.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the growth that Raleigh and the triangle area has experienced over the last decade. The area has attracted people from all over the country and has created a lot of opportunities for local businesses. Although Raleigh could use a pro-football team…

Pricing:

• Cabin pricing fluctuates seasonally, with the best deals in the winter

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.shortoffmountainretreats.com
• Instagram: @shortoffmountainretreats
• Facebook: facebook.com/shortoffmountainretreats

Image Credits
owners- Brian & Katherine