Meet Meggan Kimberley | Owner/ Manager- Prospector Ranch

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

Hi Meggan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I first saw the ranch with my husband I thought there would be some kind of business opportunity here for me to do. I was working at the time as an International sales executive for Lionsgate. They ended up having a series of layoffs an I was in one of them. The timing worked out as we were doing a total remodel on our house. Once we finished this, my plan was to start consulting for film and television companies. I had just finished my resume and Covid started. There was no international travel to see clients or the International markets to attend. I looked around and thought, I’ll make this my full-time work here and began Prospector Ranch LLC. As things got crazier during Covid I kept expanding and pivoting in different directions. I first thought I would make the ranch a location venue for filming and photo shoots. A huge THANK YOU goes to our neighbors Julie and Tim Wickman at Canyon Ranch, They helped to show me the ropes of this business but then the film business came to a halt. Many weddings were being cancelled and since we have an outdoor venue, I decided to start doing small boutique weddings. Still the business wasn’t really coming so I thought what is the quickest way I could make money? So, I registered our ranch on Hipcamp and decided to buy a Vintage Airstream to Airbnb. I love all things old and with the 1800’s vibe going on at the ranch, I try to highlight giving guest a whole experience when they stay here. That is the fun part of my business!

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?
When you meet a person with heart, you feel it. The same goes for a place. Whether it’s for a weekend getaway, a film shoot, a wedding, or an intimate dinner, when you come to Prospector Ranch, you feel peace, excitement…You simply feel exhilarated. Our 10-acre ranch is perfectly tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains. Our saloon, mercantile building, and 2500 sq. foot main house are complete with panoramic views and an abundance of natural light, which is ideal for filming !!! All of this provides an ambiance that is incomparable. The natural beauty combined with an authentic story and one-of-a-kind locations – that’s what sets us apart.

Today, Prospector Ranch is a 5-star location for luxury stays, professional film & fashion shoots, as well as weddings and events. I have had the pleasure of hosting Harper’s Bazaar as well as the Jay Leno Show. But, like any business, we have a beginning. As Prospector Ranch navigated the covid pandemic and our first 3 years of business, I’ve stuck to my values as an entrepreneur. That is, to always go above and beyond (whether it be welcoming my guests or providing incomparable locations for film shoots) and to give back to community. At Prospector Ranch, we focus on using our property for good by hosting fundraisers, most recently for Children of Hope & orphanages in Uganda.

If I were to leave you with one thing, it would be that you can count on Prospector Ranch to make your stay, film shoot, dinner, wedding, evening, unforgettable and completely unique. There is no place like Prospector Ranch and we can’t wait for you to experience this.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I’d start by taking them to Prospector Ranch, of course. I’d invite them to drive down the long, country road overhung with trees and rolling mountains, until they pull up to Prospector Ranch’s driveway. As the stress of the week melts away, I’d invite them into our Vintage Saloon for a glass of chilled iced tea. As they sipped, admiring the ranch’s landscape, I’d let them decide what kind of retreat they would like on our property.

For Luxury and a One-of-a-Kind Evening: Our Authentic Conestoga Wagon is the only one of its kind in the Los Angeles area and the 5th in all of California. With a plush king size bed and outdoor fire pit, it is the perfect romantic getaway. Something you can’t experience anywhere else.

For The Perfect Mix of Adventure & Comfort: Our Safari Tent | With a summer porch and queen bed, our safari tent brings you as close as possible to nature while giving you all the comfort of a bedroom. The perfect place to sip coffee and watch the sunrise – to feel relaxed on an adventure.

For All the Good Parts of Camping: Our Vintage Airstream | Twinkling lights and stargazing in the comfort of our Airstream Trailer. With a private bathroom, situated at the top of our ranch, you’ll experience peaceful evenings, with an abundance of time and space to relax.

For Night Skies & A Bubble Bath: Our Indoor/Outdoor Shower | Our newly remodeled, indoor/outdoor shower is all about Western Chic vibes and an exhilarating experience.

For a Beautiful Day Trip: There are 5 Malibu Beaches close to Prospector Ranch | In less than 1 hour, you can drive to Zuma Beach or Point Dume Beach to see whales, dolphins, go for a dip, or even get in a beach workout!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Michelle Perkins of Limit Free Life Small Business Association of Ventura
Chris Warme – Totally Wired is his company, he is an Electrical contractor and owner (my husband and co-owner of the ranch where I run my business)

Website: https://www.prospectorranch.com/

Instagram: @prospectorranch

Facebook: Prospector Ranch

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/prospector-ranch-westlake-village

Other: @prospectorguestranch

Image Credits
Shayleene Macreynolds