Project Spotlight: Fun at the Lake – The Power of a Direct Booking Website
- Trisha Haywood
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
How to Move from Airbnb or VRBO to Your Own Website
There’s nothing better than watching a dream form into something real, and this
month’s project spotlight is all about helping one lake-loving property owner do exactly that.
When Columbia City resident and Barbee Lake enthusiast Barry Mosher reached out to us after a mutual friend shared our name, he had a clear challenge and an even clearer vision. Barry owned a charming lakeside cottage that already attracted steady bookings through short-term rental platforms. The only downside? Those platforms took a big bite out of his earnings.
Barry wanted more than a listing. He wanted ownership, and he wanted a digital home that matched the warmth, fun, and personality of his cottage. That’s where Haywood Creative Design stepped in.
From One-Time Stays to Lifelong Guests
From the beginning, Barry emphasized something that resonated deeply with us:
People don’t just rent properties — they build traditions.
His goal wasn’t simply to increase revenue (though eliminating hefty booking fees certainly helps). He wanted to create a place that families would return to year after year; a home base for bonfires, late-night fishing, and memories made on Barbee Lake.
To support that dream, we worked with Barry to:
Develop a new visual brand and logo
Design a welcoming and intuitive website
Write engaging copy infused with SEO and local flavor
Showcase amenities, on-site fun, and nearby attractions
Build a simple, reliable booking workflow that Barry can manage himself
Create a hub for house rules, policies, and guest FAQs
From Airbnb Listing to Branded Website
While I handled the branding and logo design as well as the full web design and layout, Nate worked behind the scenes developing all written content, SEO, and local search structure. Many of those conversations with Barry happened on bike rides around Northeast Indiana, proof that great ideas don’t always happen at a desk.
Those talks gave us insight into what makes Fun at the Lake special, not just what it offers. It helped us see the property through Barry’s eyes as a place he loves, shares, and is proud of.
The final site is now live at: www.funatthelakerental.com
Stop Paying Unnecessary Booking Fees
Barry now has full control of his rental’s online presence and a foundation designed to grow with him. He can still leverage major rental platforms for first-time guests, while guiding repeat visitors back to his website (and away from unnecessary fees).
The project took roughly three months from kickoff to launch, and we couldn’t be prouder of the result or of the trust that was built along the way.
To celebrate the site launch, we gifted Barry with a custom 3D-printed keychain engraved with his new logo — a tangible “handoff” and a thank-you keepsake.
If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or even a longer stay, Fun at the Lake on Barbee Lake is a wonderful option!
And if you’re a rental owner dreaming of doing the same as Barry, whether you have a lake cottage, a downtown loft, or a farm-stay tucked into the countryside, we’d love to help bring your vision to life.
Let’s work together
Sometimes all it takes is a big idea, a little courage, and the right creative partner.
Send us a message and let's start a conversation about how HCD could be the creative partner you're looking for!