meet the craftsman
meet the craftsman
Meet Vince
Craftsman, Entrepreneur, & Owner of lazy bear retreat
Meet your host and the master craftsman behind Lazy Bear Retreat, Vince Neal. An entrepreneur at heart, Vince started his first business at age 12, making aluminum products with a 20 ton punch press for the siding industry. He hired his classmates for $1/hour, enlisting them to count, box, and ship aluminum parts. With all of his fingers “surprisingly intact”, he began working for his dad as a carpenter and craftsman in the family business. In 1982 he began running the Neal Company himself, acquiring incredible business, carpentry, and craftsman skills. To top off his wild entrepreneurship adventure, he purchased Lazy Bear Retreat in 2015, as the perfect place to to let his creativity run wild! With 60+ years of experience, it is handcrafted to the very last detail.
Creating Lazy Bear
crafting the home with the best help
Vince stumbled upon the Lazy Bear Retreat while doing renovations at a friend's house. His buddy pointed out the abandoned property nestled in the woods, and Vince instantly knew he had to make it his own. Over the course of six years, he painstakingly renovated every inch of the retreat, pouring his craftsmanship and dedication into the project. The most fulfilling aspect of the journey was having his dear friend AJ by his side, who is like a granddaughter to him. Vince brought the experience and AJ brought the inspiration as together they breathed new life into the retreat. From the meticulously hand-carved animals to the unique kitchen cabinets adorned with silverware handles to the sink created from his mother’s sewing table, every detail is full of heart. It’s a place unlike anything you’ll ever see! And you just have to come to experience it.
Vince on crafting the elements of the home and his last hurrah!
host with the most
retirement, hosting, & the last hurrah!
Vince calls this place “his last hurrah,” and while nobody quite knows whether or not to believe him, what they do know is that he pours his heart and soul into hosting. His favorite thing is seeing grandparents with their grandchildren and he’s always willing to go the extra mile to ensure an incredible experience for all his guests. He’s thought of everything…he even laminated cards of conversation questions in case it rains! He often facilitates zipline rides, arranges to pick guests up after their 2 hour lazy river float, or even stocks the fridge with everything you would want before you come. He’s truly the host with the most. In his words, “all you need are your socks and underwear!”