Meet Katie Speelman of Comfort Acres Vacation Rentals

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Speelman.

Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My husband, Tyler, and I never really set out to be in the vacation rental business. But somewhere along the way, what started as one property turned into Comfort Acres, a collection of unique vacation homes around Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio.

I’ve spent the last 20+ years in graphic design, branding, and marketing, so the creative side of this business has been right up my alley. I love taking a property, seeing its potential, and turning it into a place where families and friends genuinely want to spend time together. Tyler is the finance guy who keeps the numbers in check and somehow gets stuck assembling every single piece of furniture I order. We make a pretty good team!

What started as a side project quickly became something much bigger. We’ve spent countless nights and weekends renovating, decorating, troubleshooting, and figuring things out as we go. And with three kids in the mix, there’s never a dull moment!

In May of 2026, I also took the leap from my corporate career to freelance creative work, which has given me more flexibility to focus on Comfort Acres.

At the end of the day, we’re just a husband-and-wife team who love creating memorable places for people to gather. It’s a lot of work, a little bit of chaos, and incredibly rewarding. We wouldn’t trade it!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha! Not even close. I don’t think there’s such a thing as a smooth road when you’re in the vacation rental business!

We’ve learned a LOT through trial and error. From unexpected repairs and renovations that take twice as long (and cost twice as much) as planned, to late-night maintenance calls and the occasional guest situation that keeps us on our toes. There’s always something!

One of our biggest challenges has been figuring out how to grow the business while still keeping that personal touch that makes Comfort Acres special. We’re incredibly hands-on, and sometimes that’s both our greatest strength and our biggest weakness. It’s hard to turn off the business when you’re the owners, designers, customer service team, and occasional emergency plumbers.

We’ve also been building this business while raising three kids and working full-time careers, so finding balance has definitely been a challenge.

But I think that’s what makes it so rewarding. We’ve learned to roll with the punches, laugh when things go sideways, and remind ourselves why we started. And thankfully, the good moments far outweigh the crazy ones!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Comfort Acres Vacation Rentals?
Comfort Acres is a collection of unique vacation homes around Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio, designed to bring families and friends together.

We aren’t just buying houses and filling them with beds. We’re creating experiences! Each property has its own personality, with amenities like private pools, hot tubs, movie theaters, game rooms, and lakefront views. We want our guests to have just as much fun staying in as they do going out.

With my background in design, I love obsessing over the little details that make each home feel special. And as parents of three kids, we know a great family getaway needs to be fun for the adults, too!

What I’m most proud of is the brand and reputation we’ve built. We’re a family-owned business that genuinely cares about our guests, and seeing families return year after year is probably the biggest compliment we could receive.

At the end of the day, we’re not just renting houses. We’re helping people make memories together.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I grew up on a dairy farm, so I watched my dad take risks my entire life. Farming is full of unknowns, and I think seeing him work hard, make big decisions, and figure things out along the way shaped how I approach life and business. I’ve always believed that sometimes you just have to take the leap and trust God to figure it out.

My husband, on the other hand, grew up in a Dave Ramsey household, so you can imagine the tug-of-war we have when it comes to risk! I’m usually the one dreaming up the next big idea, and Tyler is the one running the numbers and reminding me that money doesn’t grow on trees. Ha!

Buying and growing Comfort Acres has definitely been one of our biggest financial risks, especially while raising three kids and juggling full-time careers. But I think our different approaches are what make us a good team. I push us outside our comfort zone, and he makes sure we don’t get too carried away.

The one thing we always agree on is trusting God through it all. We pray about big decisions, trust that He has a plan, and remind ourselves that we’re not always the ones in control.

I think we’ve learned that there’s never going to be a perfect time or a guarantee that things will work out. We just do our homework, trust God, and make the best decision we can with what’s in front of us.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://comfortacresvacations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfortacresvacationrentals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088728432430