“We want people to take away a new perception of ‘off-grid living’ and what that means. So when you first think of off-grid, especially when I did it, I was like, ‘Okay, off grid. You're roughing it. Is there going to be hot water? You don't know. Is there a toilet? You don't know.’ And so we wanted to make it have zero compromises in terms of what you're experiencing.”
We’re in great company with Hillary Flur, the Co-Founder of Folly Collection. Tucked away and surrounded by endless vistas, these architecturally designed spaces scattered across the US seamlessly blend into the surrounding environment, creating a harmony between nature and space, where every detail is designed to enhance our well-being.
From the remote lands of Joshua Tree and Mojave Desert in California, to the lush farms of Long Island in New York, Folly Collection’s innovative off-grid systems are aesthetically captivating, environmentally responsible, and at the forefront of technological advancement.
In this episode, Hillary shares how a childhood friendship with architectural designer, Malek Alqadi, turned into a creative business partnership, and how a search for a sustainable and sincere place to stay during personal travels, turned into a passion pioneering an optimistic future for hospitality.
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Top Takeaways
[1:50] How Hillary’s early career in customer service brought her to recognize her love of making people happy, of solving their problems, of making them feel heard.
[4:30] The Folly Collection’s humble beginnings started when childhood best friends turned business partners, sleeping on each other’s couches, going on road trips to the desert to find affordable land, and dreaming of all they could build together.
[9:10] Travel to the vast deserts and verdant landscapes of Folly Joshua Tree and Folly Mojave Desert to find yourself lost in the dark skies full of stars.
[14:25] Seasonal pop-up destinations are in store for Folly, starting with the serenity that can be found on New York’s Long Island sound.
[18:50] Folly Collection is certainly living up to its name, as ‘Folly’ in architecture is described as a whimsical structure built to serve as a conversation piece, lending interest to a view and experience.
[23:55] What is the Folly Collection signature recipe you ask? A delicate balance of serene landscape complimented with sustainable architecture, minimalist aesthetics, and tech enabled amenities.
[25:10] To form a collection, one must be deeply connected to their local community. And Hillary is doing exactly that - nurturing bespoke experiences, baked goods, destination dining and wellness treatments to share with her guests.
[27:00] Folly’s future is full of more experiential elements, a wishlist of secluded locations, and a tech ecosystem that is designed to reduce friction and increase immersion.
Notable Mentions
29 Loaves High Desert New York style bagels
Kitchen In The Desert New American cafe
grnd sqrl gastropub
Palms dive bar
