Meet Chantelle Farr | Owner & Operator Of La Golondrina Ranch & Retreat
We had the good fortune of connecting with Chantelle Farr and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chantelle, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
One of our favorite quotes is from Deuteronomy 31:8, which reads, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
We are big believers and think that the Lord always has his hand over us regarding our business decisions. My husband, Wes, and I have been custom home builders for quite some time now and wanted to invest in a property of our own to host people, whether it be a wedding venue or Airbnb.
When we found the ranch that we named La Golondrina, there were so many special meanings intertwined in the property we knew that it felt right. We thought about this quote and knew that even though it was a new business venture, He would guide us to success.
What should our readers know about your business?
We did everything in prayer and, of course, working our tails off. We pride ourselves in building partnerships and relationships, being true to our beliefs, and letting people see that from there, we want to be known for our integrity as a team and have people see the escape that La Golondrina Ranch and Retreat offers.
We wanted to share our lifestyle, combined with being in the presence of the Lord, shine in the space, and provide a luxury stay where people can unplug, recharge, and relax.
Communication is the biggest lesson we have learned along the way. We have learned that tough conversations sometimes need to be had, but you will hurt yourself more business-wise by not addressing those hard conversations. And the good conversations with our team make it ALL worth it.
We want the world to know that La Golondrina Ranch & Retreat is rooted in His doing but also carries strong family ties for us as owners.
Spanish for swallow, “Golondrina” came to mind when searching for a name that embodied this remarkable piece of land. By capturing the essence of this meaningful symbol, we could honor our Grandmother’s memory and her beautiful faith.
Serendipitously, on the day we acquired this property, we came across a remarkable discovery. The previous owner generously left us a treasure trove of avian-related materials, including a large compendium on local birds. We discovered, remarkably, that the property had been designated a bird sanctuary by the state of Texas on account of its avian inhabitants, among which were the barn swallows—our cherished “Golondrinas.”
At that moment, we knew the name and purpose for this ranch: to serve the Lord and see His Kingdom brought forth here on earth, to serve as a reminder that He is with us always. As an homage to our faith and gratitude, we have named it La Golondrina, a sanctuary for those seeking rest.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Collinsville is right around the corner from Celina, Texas, so we’d take our friends to Celina to discover all our town has to offer.
I would first take someone visiting Honeysuckle Rose, one of the best Western boutiques. When it comes to clothes, boots, and accessories, they have it all.
Next, we’d head over to Toasted Walnut; Joey is a genius of a chef. To wash down the secret menu item, we’d head over to Papa Gallo’s Mexican Grill for a margarita, and since you can take drinks to go in the square, we’d order a Top Shelf Margarita to go and then head on to do more shopping!
Next, we’d go to Terramania, which is a FABULOUS furniture store. The most exquisite and show-stopping furniture and decor stores in town… it’s all amazing. Terramania also helped us curate the signature scent of La Golondrina!
Then we’d go to Granny’s Bakery, where the pastry chef and owner, Mikala Everson, will make your taste buds dance with her goods. She is also a sommelier, so if you like some wine pairings, she is the one to chat with, and she carries a small selection of incredible bottles.
If we wanted to keep the party going, I’d take people to either Valley Vines Tasting Room for dinner; they have a great Tapas menu.
For late night fun, Little Penguin for putt putt golf and wine on tap, or for beer drinkers we’d go to Rollertown Beerworks!
Celina is one of the best, and this is our top-tier list of must-sees!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I’d like to give a shout out to my incredible husband and business partner, Wes Farr. We made quite a team.
Secondly, our incredible team helps us power the operation of La Golondrina. As a family business, I’d like to thank my sister, Amber, for creating the beautiful brand that is La Golondrina. Kylie is our fabulous operations consultant who helped turn our dream into a reality. Mary Claire is our social media and digital marketing guru. Jessica- our property manager. And lastly, Kim- our onsite ranch hand/guest concierge.
The list could go on and on for everyone who has had a hand in creating the luxury experience that is La Golondrina, but that crew deserves a round of applause.
Website: https://www.lagolondrinatexas.com/
Instagram: @Lagolondrina_texas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094947319856
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