Did you know that according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, only about 30% of family-owned businesses transition to the second generation? After that, around 12% are passed to the third generation, and only 3% to the fourth generation. We are proud to be in the 30% of family businesses purchased by the second generation. […]

All of our cabins were built between 1915 and today by either us (Tom & Steph) or the previous owners. And when I say built, I mean each owner was hands-on—involved in the nitty gritty of the process from planning and construction to furnishing. Because of that, every cabin is unique… especially since none of […]

If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?For me, it’s this guy right here—Robert Rutherford, or “Bob” for those who knew him. I have so many questions for him… Why am I so curious about this guy? Well, I’ve been doing a little digging into the past of White Eagle Resort—learning […]

What do an airline pilot, attorney, paralegal, farmer, yoga teacher, massage therapist, photographer, and a nurse have in common? They have all owned and operated White Eagle Resort at some point in the last century. This unlikely group of hosts has spent the past hundred years nurturing this resort on the rocky shores of Vermilion […]

This is our version of the “good life” I’m a sucker for a story and a dream. If the label says “family-owned,” “second generation,” “small business,” or anything local, I’m interested. I love supporting others who have started their own business or are chasing their dreams. I love hearing their story and being inspired by […]

Lake Vermilion, located in northeastern Minnesota, is a pristine and breathtakingly beautiful body of water that has captured the hearts and minds of countless visitors over the years. Known for its clear waters, rugged shoreline, and diverse fish population, Lake Vermilion has become a destination for anglers, boaters, and nature enthusiasts from all over the […]

Family owned and operated just hits different…  We just got home from a family vacation and we had the best experience at a rural ranch in Colorado that was family owned and operated. Why? Because it was unique, historic and passed down for generations. You could tell that the family worked hard and that the […]

Did you know that Falcon is the original home of the Lantry Family?  When they first purchased the resort in 1990, there was an unfortunate fire in the main historic lodge overlooking Lake Vermilion leaving the Lantry’s without a place to live. They commissioned a local builder to build a rustic log home near the […]

Someone recently asked Tom how long he had been working at the resort and his response was “since I was six” they laughed like he was joking, but he wasn’t…  Of course at six Tom was only in charge of age appropriate tasks such as taking out the trash, raking leaves and picking up an […]

I knew something was wrong because Tom was running. It was a foggy early morning on Vermilion and we were just boarding the pontoon to go meet some family friends at their island for breakfast. I quickly got all the kids off the pontoon and we ran up the hill to check to see what […]

Why did we move to the resort ? Well it is a story of an unfortunate reaction to cholesterol medication, overwhelming feelings of YOLO and perhaps a vocation of sorts.  But, I’m getting ahead of myself… Let’s start at the beginning: As newlyweds, we had a not too uncommon dream to raise a family in […]

Is there a special place in your life that feels like home? Maybe it’s your house, or perhaps it’s your family vacation destination. For me, it’s my grandma’s living room. I would give anything to sit in her old house in that living room one more time. Why is that particular place special to me? […]