Since its founding in 2008, Live Oak Bank has been dedicated to supporting small businesses across America. By focusing on specific industries rather than geographic regions, they’ve built expertise that empowers entrepreneurs to achieve their goals. From funding chicken farms and funeral homes to supporting dentists and outdoor hospitality businesses, Live Oak treats every customer like they’re the only customer.
What sets Live Oak apart is their commitment to client success. Offering full-service banking solutions, including loans and deposits, they emphasize collaboration and tailor outcomes to meet each project’s unique needs. Their passion for outdoor hospitality stems from the creativity of their customers, the beauty of the spaces they help create, and the memories these destinations foster for families and friends.
At Sage Outdoor Advisory, we’ve partnered with Live Oak Bank for the past three years, supporting outdoor hospitality businesses with strategic insights and industry expertise. Together, we’re committed to supporting clients through every stage of their journey, from planning to stabilization.
Live Oak’s mission to fund the American Dream is inspiring, and their impact on the outdoor hospitality industry is unmatched. We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership and seeing how they shape the future of the industry.
Q&A with Nick Parker, VP of RV Park & Outdoor Hospitality Financing at Live Oak Bank
Background
Tell us a bit about your company’s history:
Live Oak was founded in 2008 as a bank designed and built to fund and support small businesses. We have always focused on specific industries rather than being geographically focused and work to support the success and growth of those industries by putting capital in the hands of small business owners all across America. From chicken farmers, funeral home operators, dentists, and outdoor hospitality owners, our approach has always been to treat every customer like the only customer.
What inspired you to work in outdoor hospitality?
I am most inspired by the spirit and creativity of our customers in this space. I am also drawn to the beauty of many of the spaces we help play a part in creating and the memories the folks staying at the sites will create with their friends and families. I also like solving a puzzle, and you get to do that every day in the world of outdoor hospitality.
Services and Expertise
What services do you offer, and what sets your approach apart?
We offer full banking relationships, from loans to deposits. We strive to be very customer-centric and keep the customer at the forefront of every opportunity. We are very collaborative with our customers and try to create real and meaningful relationships that lead to the best outcomes for our clients.
How do you address current trends in the industry?
We try to be very in tune with the customer and treat each project independently to meet its individual and unique needs. We rely heavily on our partners in the space—from feasibility to appraisal, reservation software, management companies, and so much more—to ensure we are connecting ourselves and our customers with the best resources and partners they can have for their parks. We are constantly trying to immerse ourselves in the industry and learn as much as we can.
Projects and Achievements
What’s a standout project your team has worked on?
The beauty of our space is the variety of projects we get to work on. One that really stood out for me was a ground-up glamping project outside of Austin, TX. Like any good deal, there was adversity and challenges along the way, but our client was a total go-getter who, through her hard work and dedication, created a path to execute on her dream. The project is currently in the middle of construction and set to come online later in 2025, and I cannot wait to watch our borrower execute.
What outcomes do your clients achieve with your help?
We believe that through our experience and expertise in the space, we set people up to be successful through all stages of a project. From budgeting, construction, ramp-up, and stabilization, we tailor outcomes and products that set our folks up to win.
Looking Ahead
What exciting projects are on the horizon?
We get a new one just about every day. I am yet to see the same deal twice since I started in this industry three years ago.
How do you see your role (or your company) in shaping the future of outdoor hospitality?
We believe we are funding the American Dream through small business ownership, and thankfully we get to do that in the world of outdoor hospitality each and every day.