Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Carlson
Hi Tom, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My wife, Melanie, is from a large family and we have attended a lot of weddings over the years. It was fun to see all the cool venues and we thought it would be nice to have something closer to home. After attending our niece’s wedding in the summer of 2022, I started to research the possibility. Following another family wedding later that summer, it was decided to move forward with the planning and development. We asked my wife’s siblings if they wanted to be partners and they were all excited to join us…which is where the name “5 Family Ranch” originated. I started the business and managed the entire building project from start to finish. We did a lot of the work ourselves and completed construction in July 2023. Our first wedding was hosted a couple weeks later on August 5, 2023. My niece is now the general manager. Almost all events are staffed by us (as a group) and it is very satisfying to see the positive reaction from guests.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a really rewarding experience…but not without some struggles. Dealing with all the rules and regulations when it comes to building is always a challenge. The regulators and subcontractors involved on the project were great to work with, which made it easier. There was plenty of stress to keep things moving for the projected “open” date and stay within budget. Many long days and nights to make it happen. We’ve had a very positive response, which makes all the hard work worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about 5 Family Ranch?
We are a premium event venue located in southwest Minnesota (1 mile south of Marshall). Although we specialize in weddings, we can also host all kinds of events like banquets, parties, reunions, business meetings, etc. It is a beautiful building that is temperature controlled for all seasons. The “barn” consists of a large banquet area with high ceilings, bride/groom suites, a fireplace lounge, large guest bathrooms, full-service bar, catering kitchen, sitting room, and more. There is a large outdoor patio and an outdoor bar, as well. We are a family-owned business that strives to provide the best service to our clients and guests so they will always remember 5 Family Ranch in a positive way.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The wedding industry is pretty steady. People are always going to fall in love and get married. I don’t see that trend changing drastically in the next 5-10 years. The rural feel to our property is popular in southwest MN and the surrounding areas, which makes us attractive to those seeking a private (but elegant) space for any event. We are also a short drive from several hotels in Marshall, MN.
Pricing:
- Available on our website
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.5familyranch.com
- Instagram: 5 Family Ranch on Instagram
- Facebook: 5 Family Ranch on Facebook
