Isaac French
@isaacfrench.bsky.social
Love of design, hospitality & craftsmanship | Built & sold Live Oak Lake | Learn to create inspiring spaces & unforgettable moments in 3 min each week 👉🏼 isaacjfrench.com
More than *1,000* international guests have travelled from around the world to stay here.
But Chris wasn’t done...
A year later, In just 14 weeks start to finish, he built a treehouse with a suspension bridge entrance.
But Chris wasn’t done...
A year later, In just 14 weeks start to finish, he built a treehouse with a suspension bridge entrance.
January 31, 2025 at 4:22 PM
More than *1,000* international guests have travelled from around the world to stay here.
But Chris wasn’t done...
A year later, In just 14 weeks start to finish, he built a treehouse with a suspension bridge entrance.
But Chris wasn’t done...
A year later, In just 14 weeks start to finish, he built a treehouse with a suspension bridge entrance.
$800 in parts—overhead door motor, gaskets, and metal track—he engineered a bed that slides out under the stars.
Works in all seasons.
He listed the cabin on Airbnb, and the internet exploded.
Millions of views, major media features, and $1M+ in bookings (since opening).
Works in all seasons.
He listed the cabin on Airbnb, and the internet exploded.
Millions of views, major media features, and $1M+ in bookings (since opening).
January 31, 2025 at 4:22 PM
$800 in parts—overhead door motor, gaskets, and metal track—he engineered a bed that slides out under the stars.
Works in all seasons.
He listed the cabin on Airbnb, and the internet exploded.
Millions of views, major media features, and $1M+ in bookings (since opening).
Works in all seasons.
He listed the cabin on Airbnb, and the internet exploded.
Millions of views, major media features, and $1M+ in bookings (since opening).
Every weekend, Chris drove up from Connecticut to work on their dream: an A-frame cabin which cost $85k all-in. It took him 3 years to build, and he did everything w his own two hands.
But here's the best part:
He had this crazy idea that no one had ever tried, and for just...
But here's the best part:
He had this crazy idea that no one had ever tried, and for just...
January 31, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Every weekend, Chris drove up from Connecticut to work on their dream: an A-frame cabin which cost $85k all-in. It took him 3 years to build, and he did everything w his own two hands.
But here's the best part:
He had this crazy idea that no one had ever tried, and for just...
But here's the best part:
He had this crazy idea that no one had ever tried, and for just...
His wife, pregnant with their first son, was rear-ended at a stop light by a drunk driver going 50mph.
Miraculously, she and their baby survived.
The settlement was just enough to buy 5 acres in upstate NY—an overgrown, overlooked piece of land for $28k, 4 hrs from the city.
Miraculously, she and their baby survived.
The settlement was just enough to buy 5 acres in upstate NY—an overgrown, overlooked piece of land for $28k, 4 hrs from the city.
January 31, 2025 at 4:21 PM
His wife, pregnant with their first son, was rear-ended at a stop light by a drunk driver going 50mph.
Miraculously, she and their baby survived.
The settlement was just enough to buy 5 acres in upstate NY—an overgrown, overlooked piece of land for $28k, 4 hrs from the city.
Miraculously, she and their baby survived.
The settlement was just enough to buy 5 acres in upstate NY—an overgrown, overlooked piece of land for $28k, 4 hrs from the city.
Short backstory on Chris: At 14, he started in carpentry.
By 2016, he was installing custom millwork in high-end homes.
He was building other people’s dreams—but had nothing for his own family (and lived paycheck to paycheck).
Then, tragedy struck...
By 2016, he was installing custom millwork in high-end homes.
He was building other people’s dreams—but had nothing for his own family (and lived paycheck to paycheck).
Then, tragedy struck...
January 31, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Short backstory on Chris: At 14, he started in carpentry.
By 2016, he was installing custom millwork in high-end homes.
He was building other people’s dreams—but had nothing for his own family (and lived paycheck to paycheck).
Then, tragedy struck...
By 2016, he was installing custom millwork in high-end homes.
He was building other people’s dreams—but had nothing for his own family (and lived paycheck to paycheck).
Then, tragedy struck...
Chris had nothing to leave his kids.
So he scraped together $28k, bought 5 acres in upstate NY, and spent weekends building an A-frame by hand.
Then one $800 idea turned his quiet cabin into a mega-viral airbnb with over $1M in bookings.
Wait till you see this...🧵
So he scraped together $28k, bought 5 acres in upstate NY, and spent weekends building an A-frame by hand.
Then one $800 idea turned his quiet cabin into a mega-viral airbnb with over $1M in bookings.
Wait till you see this...🧵
January 31, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Chris had nothing to leave his kids.
So he scraped together $28k, bought 5 acres in upstate NY, and spent weekends building an A-frame by hand.
Then one $800 idea turned his quiet cabin into a mega-viral airbnb with over $1M in bookings.
Wait till you see this...🧵
So he scraped together $28k, bought 5 acres in upstate NY, and spent weekends building an A-frame by hand.
Then one $800 idea turned his quiet cabin into a mega-viral airbnb with over $1M in bookings.
Wait till you see this...🧵
Today, Brush Creek Creamery ships nationwide and racks up awards, including First Place for Orchard Blue at the American Cheese Society competition.
If you're ever in Deary, Idaho, stop by to experience the magic of cheesemaking—and taste the passion and creativity behind it.
If you're ever in Deary, Idaho, stop by to experience the magic of cheesemaking—and taste the passion and creativity behind it.
January 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Today, Brush Creek Creamery ships nationwide and racks up awards, including First Place for Orchard Blue at the American Cheese Society competition.
If you're ever in Deary, Idaho, stop by to experience the magic of cheesemaking—and taste the passion and creativity behind it.
If you're ever in Deary, Idaho, stop by to experience the magic of cheesemaking—and taste the passion and creativity behind it.
For 3 years, I poured everything into the business.
And by 2016, we’d expanded into a renovated Ford garage, transforming it into a bakery, cafe, and upgraded home for BCC.
Eventually, I moved on. But the lessons of craft, hard work, and perseverance will stick with me forever.
And by 2016, we’d expanded into a renovated Ford garage, transforming it into a bakery, cafe, and upgraded home for BCC.
Eventually, I moved on. But the lessons of craft, hard work, and perseverance will stick with me forever.
January 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
For 3 years, I poured everything into the business.
And by 2016, we’d expanded into a renovated Ford garage, transforming it into a bakery, cafe, and upgraded home for BCC.
Eventually, I moved on. But the lessons of craft, hard work, and perseverance will stick with me forever.
And by 2016, we’d expanded into a renovated Ford garage, transforming it into a bakery, cafe, and upgraded home for BCC.
Eventually, I moved on. But the lessons of craft, hard work, and perseverance will stick with me forever.
We repurposed a soup cauldron as our cheese vat.
When my mom’s old cheesemaking friends Rebeccah & Brian joined a year later, bringing experience and efficiency with them, things really took off.
I learned so much (and they’re still some of my best friends to this day).
When my mom’s old cheesemaking friends Rebeccah & Brian joined a year later, bringing experience and efficiency with them, things really took off.
I learned so much (and they’re still some of my best friends to this day).
January 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
We repurposed a soup cauldron as our cheese vat.
When my mom’s old cheesemaking friends Rebeccah & Brian joined a year later, bringing experience and efficiency with them, things really took off.
I learned so much (and they’re still some of my best friends to this day).
When my mom’s old cheesemaking friends Rebeccah & Brian joined a year later, bringing experience and efficiency with them, things really took off.
I learned so much (and they’re still some of my best friends to this day).
That summer, we incorporated as “Brush Creek Creamery.”
Saturday market sales grew from $300 to $1,500, and we got our cheese into local restaurants and grocery stores.
To keep up, my brothers and I built a small creamery with a milking parlor, make room, and aging “cave.”
Saturday market sales grew from $300 to $1,500, and we got our cheese into local restaurants and grocery stores.
To keep up, my brothers and I built a small creamery with a milking parlor, make room, and aging “cave.”
January 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
That summer, we incorporated as “Brush Creek Creamery.”
Saturday market sales grew from $300 to $1,500, and we got our cheese into local restaurants and grocery stores.
To keep up, my brothers and I built a small creamery with a milking parlor, make room, and aging “cave.”
Saturday market sales grew from $300 to $1,500, and we got our cheese into local restaurants and grocery stores.
To keep up, my brothers and I built a small creamery with a milking parlor, make room, and aging “cave.”
On a whim, I had an idea:
I began washing wheels of blue cheese with apple cider from our own trees as they aged.
The wheels turned golden, w a wonderful fruity flavor & aroma that perfectly balanced the bold, tangy bite of the blue.
I called it “Orchard Blue.”
Instant hit.
I began washing wheels of blue cheese with apple cider from our own trees as they aged.
The wheels turned golden, w a wonderful fruity flavor & aroma that perfectly balanced the bold, tangy bite of the blue.
I called it “Orchard Blue.”
Instant hit.
January 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
On a whim, I had an idea:
I began washing wheels of blue cheese with apple cider from our own trees as they aged.
The wheels turned golden, w a wonderful fruity flavor & aroma that perfectly balanced the bold, tangy bite of the blue.
I called it “Orchard Blue.”
Instant hit.
I began washing wheels of blue cheese with apple cider from our own trees as they aged.
The wheels turned golden, w a wonderful fruity flavor & aroma that perfectly balanced the bold, tangy bite of the blue.
I called it “Orchard Blue.”
Instant hit.
...the manager, we secured a booth for the following season.
Cheesemaking demands patience (something I’ve never had much of).
Weeks, months or even years of waiting to test and tweak. There were plenty of flops, but I kept learning.
Then came the breakthrough...
Cheesemaking demands patience (something I’ve never had much of).
Weeks, months or even years of waiting to test and tweak. There were plenty of flops, but I kept learning.
Then came the breakthrough...
January 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
...the manager, we secured a booth for the following season.
Cheesemaking demands patience (something I’ve never had much of).
Weeks, months or even years of waiting to test and tweak. There were plenty of flops, but I kept learning.
Then came the breakthrough...
Cheesemaking demands patience (something I’ve never had much of).
Weeks, months or even years of waiting to test and tweak. There were plenty of flops, but I kept learning.
Then came the breakthrough...
Watching milk transform into creamy, fluffy-rind Brie felt like magic, and feeling like a real artisan, I ventured into aged varieties like Cheddar & Gruyère.
We lived in rural Idaho, and the nearby college town of Moscow hosted a bustling farmers’ market.
After pestering...
We lived in rural Idaho, and the nearby college town of Moscow hosted a bustling farmers’ market.
After pestering...
January 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Watching milk transform into creamy, fluffy-rind Brie felt like magic, and feeling like a real artisan, I ventured into aged varieties like Cheddar & Gruyère.
We lived in rural Idaho, and the nearby college town of Moscow hosted a bustling farmers’ market.
After pestering...
We lived in rural Idaho, and the nearby college town of Moscow hosted a bustling farmers’ market.
After pestering...
By 13, with surplus milk from our family’s jersey cows (s/o Bluebell - you’ll always be my favorite cow ever), my mom and I began experimenting w soft cheeses.
I converted an old fridge into a makeshift aging room and ordered exotic cultures with names I could barely pronounce.
I converted an old fridge into a makeshift aging room and ordered exotic cultures with names I could barely pronounce.
January 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
By 13, with surplus milk from our family’s jersey cows (s/o Bluebell - you’ll always be my favorite cow ever), my mom and I began experimenting w soft cheeses.
I converted an old fridge into a makeshift aging room and ordered exotic cultures with names I could barely pronounce.
I converted an old fridge into a makeshift aging room and ordered exotic cultures with names I could barely pronounce.
At 11, I landed my first job: making cheese.
$8/hr after school—until my boss realized hiring an 11-yr-old was illegal.
I didn't care. I loved it so much, I stayed on unpaid.
This was just the beginning of a teenage obsession that would lead to an unexpected discovery…🧵
$8/hr after school—until my boss realized hiring an 11-yr-old was illegal.
I didn't care. I loved it so much, I stayed on unpaid.
This was just the beginning of a teenage obsession that would lead to an unexpected discovery…🧵
January 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
At 11, I landed my first job: making cheese.
$8/hr after school—until my boss realized hiring an 11-yr-old was illegal.
I didn't care. I loved it so much, I stayed on unpaid.
This was just the beginning of a teenage obsession that would lead to an unexpected discovery…🧵
$8/hr after school—until my boss realized hiring an 11-yr-old was illegal.
I didn't care. I loved it so much, I stayed on unpaid.
This was just the beginning of a teenage obsession that would lead to an unexpected discovery…🧵
Bryant renovated the tiny 1920s cottage; Amy made it charming.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
January 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Bryant renovated the tiny 1920s cottage; Amy made it charming.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
Just 7 days later, they found it:
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
January 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Just 7 days later, they found it:
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
Before the cave, they put it all on the line & took a huge risk...
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
January 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Before the cave, they put it all on the line & took a huge risk...
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
My friends bought 34 acres of Ohio wilderness.
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
January 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
My friends bought 34 acres of Ohio wilderness.
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
Bryant renovated the tiny 1920s cottage; Amy made it charming.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
January 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Bryant renovated the tiny 1920s cottage; Amy made it charming.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
Four months later, it was ready to rent, and with that income they just barely covered the mortgage.
But with 3 young kids to feed, Bryant knew it was now or never.
This wasn’t just a project—this was their future.
Just 7 days later, they found it:
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
January 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Just 7 days later, they found it:
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
34 acres of rock formations, waterfalls, towering trees—and an old, shabby cottage.
They pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.
A local bank loaned them the rest.
Before the cave, they put it all on the line & took a huge risk...
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
January 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Before the cave, they put it all on the line & took a huge risk...
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
Amy's a stay-at-home mom (they have 3 kids).
Bryant's an engineer by trade, but his 9-to-5 left him uninspired.
So they began searching for a slice of Hocking Hills, an hr outside Columbus, OH, where they live.
My friends bought 34 acres of Ohio wilderness.
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
January 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
My friends bought 34 acres of Ohio wilderness.
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
While hiking one day, they stumbled upon a dark, dripping cavern—and decided to pour their life savings into it.
Today, it's one of the world's most profitable airbnbs. The waitlist is years long.
Here's the story...🧵
The best thing about a gingerbread house? The process.
- tons of tiny details
- creative candy choices
- the warm, spicy aroma of fresh gingerbread
- and of course time spent around the kitchen with friends and family
It’s about the memories as much as the masterpiece.
- tons of tiny details
- creative candy choices
- the warm, spicy aroma of fresh gingerbread
- and of course time spent around the kitchen with friends and family
It’s about the memories as much as the masterpiece.
December 20, 2024 at 1:54 PM
The best thing about a gingerbread house? The process.
- tons of tiny details
- creative candy choices
- the warm, spicy aroma of fresh gingerbread
- and of course time spent around the kitchen with friends and family
It’s about the memories as much as the masterpiece.
- tons of tiny details
- creative candy choices
- the warm, spicy aroma of fresh gingerbread
- and of course time spent around the kitchen with friends and family
It’s about the memories as much as the masterpiece.
Last year, my friends and I went all out.
We created an ornate, 2-story gingerbread house for the lobby of Café Homestead, our neighborhood farm-to-table restaurant.
We created an ornate, 2-story gingerbread house for the lobby of Café Homestead, our neighborhood farm-to-table restaurant.
December 20, 2024 at 1:54 PM
Last year, my friends and I went all out.
We created an ornate, 2-story gingerbread house for the lobby of Café Homestead, our neighborhood farm-to-table restaurant.
We created an ornate, 2-story gingerbread house for the lobby of Café Homestead, our neighborhood farm-to-table restaurant.