Meet Bri & Dave Rodgers

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bri & Dave Rodgers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Bri & Dave, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Finding purpose emerged from the necessity of survival. Sweetbriar Ridge was born through a combination of personal experiences, challenges, and a deep desire to create a healing, luxury escape in nature.

Creating Sweetbriar Ridge was a vision brought to life by two opposite yet complementary souls. It was crafted with purpose, heart, and resilience. It is a direct reflection of who we are: Brianna, driven by a passion for truth, structure, and making things the best they can be, and David, deeply attuned to emotion, meaning, and the desire to create something profoundly beautiful and unique.

Once we realized we were called for this purpose, we dreamed of creating a space that wasn’t just a place to stay, but a soul healing experience, allowing for disconnection from the busyness of life, and reconnecting with loved ones, and to experience something bigger than oneself while surrounded by beauty.

Brianna brought the structure- The vision had to be grounded in reality, plans needed to be made, details needed to be perfected, and the hard work of research, logistics, and execution had to happen. With discipline, focus, and an unwavering commitment to making Sweetbriar Ridge come to life, she kept us moving forward, ensuring every step was intentional and aligned with our core values. Infusing the space with meaning, every design choice wasn’t just functional but deeply moving.

David brought the heart and the hands- He dedicated countless hours to learning new skills, problem-solving, and physically building the space from the ground up. Every detail, every structure, every trail, every carefully placed element was shaped by his hard work and deep intention. For him, Sweetbriar Ridge wasn’t just a business venture, it was a labor of love and a new path forward. It was a place where others, especially those who have walked through darkness, could find peace, just as he has in nature.

David’s experience as a paramedic exposed him to significant trauma, and he found that spending time in nature was one of the most powerful ways to heal and reset from the mental and emotional toll of his career. Brianna’s background as an outdoor educator and naturalist highlighted the nature deficiency in our society and reinforced how much people need time spent in the outdoors to restore balance in their lives.

Together, through years of obstacles- land searches, financial risks, heartbreaking delays, and relentless perseverance- we never lost sight of the bigger purpose: creating a space that could truly restore and transform those who step into it. Sweetbriar Ridge is more than a collection of domes in the woods. It’s a reflection of our partnership, our contrasting strengths, and our shared belief that nature and creation have the power to heal. We built this for ourselves, for each other, and for everyone who needs a place to pause, breathe, and begin again. Ultimately, our purpose is rooted in our own journey- turning hardship into something beautiful, restorative, and impactful for others.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At Sweetbriar Ridge, we’ve created more than just a place to stay—we’ve built a sanctuary where guests can pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters. Nestled on 56 private acres near Pine City, MN, our geodesic domes offer a luxurious escape in the wilderness, blending comfort with the healing power of the outdoors.

What sets Sweetbriar Ridge apart isn’t just the stunning views of the prairie or high-end amenities—it’s the experience. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel a sense of peace and anticipation as you take in the expansive landscapes, wildlife, and thoughtfully designed domes. Each stay is crafted to help guests unplug from the busyness of life, embrace nature, and find a sense of renewal.

What Makes Sweetbriar Ridge Special?

Sweetbriar Ridge is committed to restoring native Minnesota prairies, with only 1% remaining in the state, restoring our prairie has been a labor of love—replanting native grasses and wildflowers, creating habitats for pollinators, and watching the land slowly come back to what it once was. Now, guests can experience a landscape that’s thriving again—where deer wander through at dusk, wild turkeys roam in the mornings, and songbirds fill the air. Every stay here supports that mission, helping us continue the work of prairie restoration and conservation.

But Sweetbriar Ridge isn’t just about nature—it’s also about people who need healing. We’ve partnered with Empower Recovery Services in Pine City, MN to offer therapy stays for first responders and individuals facing PTSD who are underinsured at no cost to them. Having seen firsthand the toll that trauma takes, we knew we wanted this place to be a safe, restorative space for those who need it most. Being in nature has a way of grounding us, helping to breathe again, and we’re honored to share that with people who are searching for peace.

For those just looking for a unique, nature-focused escape, we’ve anticipated all the needs of our guests in order to make them feel comfortable and at home. Heated floors, spa-like bathrooms, waffle robes and slippers, high-quality linens, and a stargazing loft make the stay feel special. And to enhance the experience, we offer gourmet meals delivered straight to the dome, ready to enjoy.

And we’re growing! This spring, we’re launching our third dome, designed to be wheelchair-friendly, because we believe nature should be accessible to everyone. We want all of our guests, no matter their mobility, to have the chance to experience the peace and beauty of Sweetbriar Ridge.

Whether you’re here to unwind, explore, or heal, Sweetbriar Ridge is a place where you can truly breathe, reset, and reconnect—with nature, with yourself, and with the things that matter most.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

We love this question because being successful requires less skills and knowledge and more of the right mindset. One of the biggest qualities that allowed for our success was grit and perseverance. Simply, the willingness to keep going when things get hard. And, oh will it get hard. But the best things in life are those that endure the fire and emerge refined, like gold.

There were so many moments when it would have been easier to quit—when our building permit was revoked, when we were over budget, when we faced delays, all while struggling with personal loss that made us question if this dream would ever become reality. But grit means pushing forward even when the odds feel stacked against you. If you’re starting your own journey, expect challenges. Know that the path won’t be easy, but the ones who succeed aren’t necessarily the most talented, smartest, or have the most resources—they’re the ones who refuse to give up.

The second skillset we would encourage folks to develop is resourcefulness and adaptability. We didn’t have all the answers when we started. We had to learn new skills, pivot our approach, and find creative solutions when things didn’t go as planned. We researched everything from building codes to business loans, tiling and laying flooring, and did a lot of the work ourselves. We also weren’t afraid to ask for help from friends, family, and mentors in the field. The best advice we can give for anyone starting out is don’t wait until you “feel ready”—because that feeling will never come. Just start, and trust the process and yourself, that you’ll figure things out along the way.

Lastly, find your “why”. Our faith kept us anchored when things became dark, scary, and uncertain. Believing that even when things felt impossible, there was a bigger picture and purpose we couldn’t yet see. There were so many moments of doubt, but we kept coming back to “our why”—to create a space for people to heal in creation and to be a bright spot in peoples lives. If you’re in the early stages of your journey, hold onto your “why.” It will be your anchor when things feel uncertain.

If we could give some advice for those just starting out it would be:

– Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Be willing to learn new things, ask for help, and make mistakes. Then do it all over again until it becomes second nature.
– Find your support system. Having people who believe in you—whether it’s family, a mentor, or a community—makes all the difference.
– Stay flexible. The plan you start with will change, and that’s okay. The key is to keep moving forward, adjusting as needed and don’t take no for an answer. The problem is often the solution.
– Celebrate the small wins. Life is hard, it will knock you down before you can get up again. So soak in those little moments along the way, because those precious little moments are what make up a life.
-Don’t let yourself burnout. Often times you need to give it your all to make a dream a reality. But if you lose your life while trying to find it, you have missed the whole point. Protect moments of rest, do what makes you feel alive, sleep, eat healthy food, move your body, chase sunshine, read a good book, laugh with friends, stay hydrated, and protect your hope at all cost. Then everything else will fall into place.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

At Sweetbriar Ridge, we believe in community, sustainability, and creating meaningful experiences for our guests. We’re always looking to partner with local maker and creators, producers, mental health advocates, and conservation organizations who share our vision of supporting people and the land.

If you’re a local farmer or producer, we’d love to feature and share your honey, maple syrup, eggs, fresh produce, crafts, coffee, or flowers with our guests. We want to introduce them to the amazing products grown and made right here in Minnesota and support local businesses in the process.

If you work in mental health, first responder or military support services, we’re looking for partners to help us expand our mission of providing healing and nature-based retreats for those struggling with PTSD and trauma. We’ve already partnered with Empower Recovery to offer stays for uninsured individuals in need of therapy in nature, and we’d love to grow this impact even further.

We’re also passionate about conservation and would love to connect with organizations or individuals dedicated to restoring and protecting Minnesota’s native ecosystems. We’re actively working to restore native prairie on our land and want to collaborate with those who share a passion for preserving our native ecosystems.

If you’re interested in collaborating, providing products, or working together on a project, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us and let’s start a conversation. Let’s find ways to support each other and make a difference—whether it’s through local food, conservation, or giving back to those who need healing the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweetbriarridgemn.com
• Instagram: @sweetbriar_ridge
• Facebook: Sweetbriar Ridge
• Other: email – [email protected]

Image Credits

Cover Photo: Kimberly Williams Photography

All other Photos:
Jason Ehrreich
[email protected]
@Jasonsojurney.mn (instagram)