Meet Amanda Briggs | Co-owner of Los Ocotillos

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Briggs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When my grandmother passed away, we did what most families do when faced with such a loss– we tried to make sense of what she would have wanted, wrote her obituary, planned her memorial, and sat together to decide what to do with the house. It was a lovely, albeit old, block building that had been my grandparents’ home for many years. The property sits atop a hill with 360 degree views of Wickenburg. There are saguaro cacti, beautify bougainvillea, and constant families of quail that dart across the red dirt. The consensus was to sell it and divvy up any assets- the easiest solution. And a heartbreaking one. The idea of selling this home that had meant so much to all of us was a heavy decision, but a financially sound one. It was then that I proposed a wild idea to my mom–that we buy the property from our family– and Los Ocotillos was born.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a women-owned business, we are proud of the Los Ocotillos brand we created and the experience we hope guests visiting Wickenburg will remember for years to come. But for anyone who has ever attempted to start a short-term rental business with their mother, there are all kinds of kinks to work out. My mother and I are two very different people, yet I appreciate how much closer I am now to her, and I am proud of our resolve amidst the unique challenges with the property. There were many times we wanted to throw in the towel when house repairs seemed to mount, making the dream feel a little farther away. When juggling calendars and inboxes with a full-time job seemed stressful, and each booking brought an unexpected surprise, we reflected on how far we have come and the beautiful home we have built together. Some added extras at Los Ocotillos included for guests are handmade soaps, fresh flowers upon check-in, and a 24-7 property manager on call. We have a private pool, three horse pens, and a night sky full of stars for a relaxing and recharging stay.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wickenburg, Arizona was once one of the top retirement areas in the country, and is no longer the best kept secret in the West. When visiting, we recommend staying at Los Ocotillos, of course, but stop by Buttermilk & Honey for a breakfast pastry, Capital Farms for a *now famous* burger for lunch, and Bar 7 for dinner. country music, and dancing. Walk around the many shops and stores off Main Street, or head over to the Vulture City Ghost Town. Call Flying E Ranch for a horseback trail ride, hike Vulture Peak, rent ATVs, or play a round of golf at one of the courses in town. If relaxation is more your scene, then a massage at Rancho de los Caballeros Spa with an upscale dinner at their fine dining restaurant “19” would be ideal. However, if you want to stay in, Los Ocotillos partners with a private chef for catering and dining requests as well as a massage therapist for individual treatments. For all those cowboys out there, Wickenburg is the Team Roping Capital of the World, so don’t forget to check out the roping arenas!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We would, first and foremost, love to thank our family for being willing to trust us to shepherd this property, maintaining its unique character and charm. Through the hours of dialogue, hashing out business plans, real estate discussions, and overall big picture rationale, our dream of creating Los Ocotillos became a reality. But it would never have happened without the support, critical feedback, and encouragement from our family members.

Website: https://losocotillos.com/

Instagram: @los_ocotillos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082900494160

Other: email : info@losocotillos.com
Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/h/losocotillos
VRBO: https://www.vrbo.com/3066137

Image Credits
Amana Ackerman, Photographer, for landscape, ocotillo, and interior photos.