From STRs to Micro Resorts: Building Vision, Partnerships, and Purpose with Brian Hatcher and Aaron Appleton - Episode #328

In The Lab with Ruben Kanya

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this inspiring episode of In The Lab, we're joined by Brian Hatcher, founder and CEO of Hatch Capital, and Aaron Appleton, his trusted partner in Hatch Capital property management and founder of Mirror Haus Collection micro resort. Together they’ve moved from managing short-term rentals to curating branded micro resort experiences— both collectively and individually building their own respective brands Orenda by Brian Hatcher and Mirror Haus Collection Hauss by Aaron Appleton.

Brian Hatcher is the founder and CEO of Hatch Capital, a real estate investment and consulting firm focused on experiential hospitality and lifestyle-based asset creation. Brian started in the real estate space by house hacking and building data-driven systems that evolved into a vertically integrated business as seen in our previous episode Real Estate Hacking: Serial House Hacker to Developer. Now, he leads development efforts on branded micro resorts designed to deliver intentional guest experiences and long-term value.

Aaron Appleton is the Founder/CEO - Mirror Haus Collection, a real estate entrepreneur, strategic operator, and creative mind behind several real estate ventures. He has a background in short-term rental management and is now spearheading operations, team culture, and design strategy for the duo’s micro resort developments. Aaron brings a strong emphasis on intentionality, vision, and brand alignment to every aspect of their projects, pushing the limits of what hospitality can look and feel like.

In this episode, we dive deep into the power of vision, mindset, and aligned partnerships. Brian and Aaron share how their journey began with managing short-term rentals and evolved into developing bespoke micro resort experiences that serve both investors and guests. The conversation highlights how vision clarity, execution discipline, and long-term alignment create meaningful and sustainable business models.

We explore the mindset shifts required to level up in real estate—from chasing cash flow to building brand equity and hospitality that lasts. Ruben, Brian, and Aaron also reflect on personal growth, the impact of mentorship, and why leaders must be intentional with their direction, community, and legacy.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

20:42 Brian talks about having a vision as an important part of leadership

24:38 Aaron talks about redirection.

KEEPING IT REAL:

04:00 – Presence, mindset, and living where your feet are

05:00 – Knowing who you are vs. who you're not

07:00 – Avoiding goal paralysis by letting go of the “how”

09:30 – Defining a clear vision and creating from intentionality

11:00 – Visualization and the neuroscience of future-building

14:00 – Breaking free from society’s agenda and asking what you want

16:20 – Core values: Health, wealth, love, and happiness

18:50 – The balance between manifestation and doing the work

20:10 – Levels of leadership and visionary communication

22:00 – Blocking out noise to stay on mission

23:40 – Redirecting vs. exiting: Knowing the difference

26:00 – Why micro resorts are the next evolution beyond STRs

30:30 – Building irreplicable hospitality brands

33:00 – The global vision for boutique experiential stays

36:00 – Success clues, mentorship, and modeling behaviors

38:00 – Giving flowers, building community, and reflecting legacy

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Brian

Website: https://hatch-capital.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hatcher-82034450/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hatch_capital/

Aaron

Website: https://hatch-capital.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-appleton-86228323b/

#MicroResorts #ExperientialHospitality #VisionaryLeadership #RealEstateDevelopment #ShortTermRentals #STRtoResorts #MindsetMatters #BuildWithPurpose