Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack & Rachael Bialka.
Zack & Rachael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Zack and Rachael Bialka are the owners of Lake Emily Resort, a family-focused vacation destination nestled in the heart of Northern Minnesota’s lake country in Emily, Minnesota. Like many of their guests, they first fell in love with the area as visitors themselves. For years, they spent vacations exploring Minnesota’s lakes region with family and friends many times a year in different parts of the state, staying at cabins, resorts, Airbnbs, and VRBOs while dreaming about someday building something of their own—a place where other families could create the same memories they were making together.
Ironically, they weren’t initially searching for a resort. Their original plan was much smaller: purchase one cabin that could serve as a short-term rental while providing their own family with a getaway destination a few weekends each year. Then, during that search, Lake Emily Resort appeared on their radar.
The moment they toured the property, they saw more than what existed—they saw what it could become. They envisioned families gathered around campfires, children catching their first fish, and generations returning year after year to continue traditions. What began as a search for a cabin quickly evolved into a much larger opportunity, and in the fall of 2020, Zack and Rachael took a leap of faith and purchased Lake Emily Resort & Campground.
As entrepreneurs, they brought complementary skill sets to the table. Rachael came from a marketing & advertising agency background with experience in customer service, branding, and business growth, while Zack brought extensive hands-on expertise from the welding and construction industries, along with a talent for maintenance, repairs, and project management. Together, they recognized an opportunity not only to operate a resort, but to continually improve, expand, and create an exceptional guest experience.
Since taking ownership, they have invested countless hours into transforming Lake Emily Resort into a destination centered around family, recreation, and unforgettable memories. They’ve introduced activities designed to bring families together, including scavenger hunts, tie-dye events, beach bingo, outdoor movies, art & craft sessions, pontoon rentals, annual Fourth of July kids fishing contests, patriotic bike parades, and many other family-friendly events throughout the season.
One of the property’s greatest assets—and a major reason they believed so strongly in its future—is its location. Conveniently situated on the south side of Lake Emily, the resort features a large sandy beach and complimentary amenities including kayaks, paddleboards, paddle boats, doodle bugs, and other water toys that allow guests to fully enjoy the lake. At the same time, the resort sits directly on the ATV trail system, providing immediate access to miles and miles of scenic riding routes and trail connectors. Guests can experience some of Minnesota’s most renowned ATV and side-by-side trails right from the resort, creating a unique blend of lakeside relaxation and outdoor adventure that appeals to families, outdoor enthusiasts, and vacationers alike.
Perhaps the most rewarding part of their entrepreneurial journey has been the relationships they’ve built along the way. They’ve had the privilege of welcoming guests from across the country, many of whom return year after year and have become lifelong friends. Watching children grow up, return as adults, and create traditions with families of their own is one of the most fulfilling aspects of resort ownership.
Today, Lake Emily Resort remains a true family business. Their three young daughters help care for the property by cleaning windows, wiping down picnic tables and beach furniture, weeding gardens, raking the beach & assisting wherever they’re needed. Zack oversees groundskeeping, maintenance, renovations, and ongoing improvement projects, while Rachael manages marketing, reservations, bookkeeping, guest services, and event planning. Every family member contributes to the success of the resort.
Looking back, purchasing Lake Emily Resort was one of the biggest leaps of faith they have ever taken—and one of the best decisions they have ever made. What started as a simple search for a cabin evolved into an opportunity to build something meaningful: a thriving business, a family lifestyle, and a place where families can unplug, reconnect, and create memories that last for generations. They feel incredibly fortunate to be raising their children in what they proudly call God’s Country while sharing this special corner of Minnesota with others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
We signed the purchase agreement on the resort in March of 2021, while the tourism industry was still navigating the final stages of COVID-related regulations and uncertainty. On top of that, we had just two months to learn every single aspect of running a resort before opening day on May 1st.
Neither of us had owned a resort before and every day brought a new lesson and challenge.
Like any entrepreneurial journey, there have been unexpected challenges, long hours, and moments of uncertainty. But each obstacle has taught us something valuable and helped us build a stronger business. Looking back, those challenges became some of our greatest opportunities for growth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lake Emily Resort?
Families, fishermen and lovers of the great outdoors are always welcome at Lake Emily Resort & Campground! We cordially invite you to visit this cozy little gem of lake country paradise, nestled away in Minnesota’s northern woods — offering fine fishing, surrounding ATV trail systems & lots of family fun! Offering six unique “Up North” themed cabins, seven spacious full hook up RV sites & three lakefront tent sites. Come for the day, the weekend, the week or the season!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
If you ask us who the risk-taker is, the answer is definitely Zack.
Rachael tends to be more cautious and likes having an organized thought out plan. Zack was the one who immediately saw the incredible potential in Lake Emily Resort and encouraged the couple to take the leap.
We were only 30 and 32 years old when we purchased the resort. We still remember sitting at the closing table with shaky hands, wondering if we were making the biggest mistake of our lives—or the best decision we’d ever make.
We left stable careers, sold the home where we were raising our young family, and stepped away from the predictability we had worked hard to build. It was a significant risk, but we believed in the opportunity. Rather than wondering “what if,” we chose to bet on ourselves and pursue a vision we felt passionate about. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
We’ve learned that entrepreneurship will always involve risk. There will never be a perfect time, a perfect plan, or a guarantee of success. But we’ve also learned that growth often happens just outside of your comfort zone. Without risk, there is no reward. Our advice to anyone dreaming about starting a business, changing careers, or pursuing a deep inner passion is simple: You won’t know unless you try. Believe in yourself, work hard, and don’t let fear make the decision for you.
Pricing:
- Lake Emily Resort offers: • Up-North themed cabins • Lakefront tent camping sites • Pull-through full hook-up RV sites & Seasonal camping • Pontoon rentals To view photos, accommodations, pricing, descriptions, and availability, visit our online booking calendar: https://guest.rezstream.com/search/lake-emily-resort
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lakeemilyresort.com/
- Instagram: @lake_emily_resort
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeEmilyResort
- Youtube: @lakeemilyresort7527
