MAY 27, 2025

#134: Brand Over Platform: Tori Bolt’s 600K Instagram Strategy & Direct Booking Blueprint

Let me ask you something:
What if you stopped depending on booking platforms… and started building a brand guests are obsessed with?

Inside this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Tori Bolt of Bolt Farm Treehouse to dive into the direct booking strategy for short-term rentals that helped her go from hosting on Airbnb to creating a luxury brand with total control—and zero reliance on OTAs. This isn’t just a feel-good success story. It’s a game plan for hosts who want to build their own lane and thrive in it.

Tori and her husband started with no hospitality experience, but that didn’t stop them. With vision, purpose, and a whole lot of persistence, they built something unforgettable—and wildly profitable.

The Moment Everything Changed

Tori shares the moment they decided to walk away from traditional booking platforms. That bold move led to a complete shift in how they operate, turning every single reservation into a direct booking they control from start to finish. No more fees, no more filters, and no more competing for attention in oversaturated search results.

Their secret? Absolute clarity on who they’re speaking to—and the courage to say no to the wrong guests so they could say a resounding yes to the right ones.

Turning Content Into Conversions

With over 600,000 followers on Instagram, the Bolts know a thing or two about creating scroll-stopping content. But here’s the thing: they’re not just going for likes—they’re creating connection. Every photo, every caption, every reel is crafted with intention to turn followers into paying guests.

It’s not about being everywhere. It’s about showing up with purpose and sharing a message that resonates with your ideal audience.

Purpose Over Platform

If you’re feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up with algorithm changes or surrendering your profits to booking fees, this is your invitation to shift. You can build a business that runs on your terms. You can own your bookings, your brand, and your guest journey.

This episode is the blueprint for reclaiming your time, energy, and income—and growing something meaningful in the process.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[01:16] A short introduction about our guest Tori Bolt and her journey of founding and scaling Bolt Farm Treehouse, a mountaintop luxury glamping retreat in Tennessee

[03:32] What was the original spark that ignited Tori’s journey to begin Bolt Farm Treehouse

[05:55] Tori shares the story of the first luxury treehouse at Bolt Farm and how it evolved into a romantic honeymoon retreat

[07:27] Tori talks about the intentionally crafted environment at Bolt Farm Treehouse and how it fosters presence, connection, and the flow state

[10:15] How the decision to embrace an adults-only policy at Bolt Farm Treehouse clarified their brand and strengthened guest satisfaction

[14:04] Tori shares how she and her husband clarified their business roles and responsibilities as a couple to improve teamwork, reduce tension, and grow their company more effectively

[18:36] Tori’s approach to mastering delegation in order to scale the business, reclaim time, and focus on high-impact leadership tasks

[22:44] Tori explains Bolt Farm’s bold shift to 100% direct bookings and the importance of owning your platform

[30:04] Tori reveals what is Bolt Farm’s channels for customer acquisition for brand awareness and direct bookings

[30:54] Tori’s three-part formula for growing a 600K+ Instagram following and driving meaningful business result

[35:14] The mindset shift from going it alone to investing in mentorship—and how it radically transformed their business

[40:51] Tori shares how she and her husband now host hands-on workshops at Bolt Farm, offering a full-access experience to a small group of entrepreneurs in the short-term rental space

[44:07] The lightning round

Golden Nuggets:

• “Be true to yourself, your brand. Know your brand and your brand identity; your goal is not to make everybody happy.”
• “It’s absolutely necessary to delegate. If you want to scale and if you want to grow your team, you cannot do everything yourself.”
• “As soon as you can build trust, you can get people to go direct; and just highlight the reasons why they should go direct.”
• “I truly believe that mindset is everything. It’s the foundation for success. Because the only way that you can truly fail is if you quit.”
• “If you believe in yourself and believe in what you’re looking to build, I believe one of the fastest and best ways to get there is to surround yourself with other people who have been there, because, again, you can plug right into them and not have to reinvent the wheel or live with the mistakes.”

Let’s Connect!

Follow Tori Bolt on:

Website: boltfarmtreehouse.com

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