90k New Followers In 2 Weeks

How This Family’s Move Abroad Became a Dream You Could Visit

That one line, paired with clean visuals and heartfelt storytelling changed everything for them. But what followed wasn’t just attention. It was emotional resonance. Real connection. And a business built on the back of honesty, beauty, and brave reinvention.

This week, we’re breaking down how @blancobungalow turned their story into a magnetic brand, added 90k followers in 2 weeks, and drove thousands of inquiries for their property in Portugal.

Disclaimer: Blanco Bungalow worked 1:1 with me to help shape and structure their story. The raw emotion was already there, we just gave it the clarity and format it needed to take off. I have limited space for 1:1 clients. If you’re interested in working together, reply below to apply.

📖 What’s the story?

When LA no longer felt like home, this couple made a bold move:

They sold everything and bought a ranch on the coast of Portugal.

They renovated a farmhouse, adopted animals, documented the whole thing with transparency and care all to provide a better life for their son.

Today, Blanco Bungalow offers retreats, weddings, and boutique stays.

But what they’re really offering is a feeling:

A slower life, a deeper connection, and a better way to live.

🧭 What’s the brand narrative?

Their brand narrative is their story.

The entire narrative is built on honesty, courage, and emotional pull.

This isn’t just about Portugal or property.
It’s about what happens when you choose courage over comfort.

Every post reinforces a simple truth:

Blanco Bungalow’s story taps into a universal desire: “I want to live with more intention.”

⚡ Inflection Point: The Carousel That Changed Everything

In July 2025, one carousel changed the game:

That post (+3 other similar story focused carousels) drove 90K+ followers in under two weeks. Not because it was flashy, but because it felt real.

From there, they leaned into a flywheel:

→ Story = attention
→ Visuals = desire
→ Booking CTA = conversion

The dream was no longer just theirs.
It was a dream you could step into.

📌 Content Pillars

🟩 Their Story (Origin & Reinvention)

• Why they left LA

• What they hoped to build

• Family-first, honest, deeply human

🟨 Building the Ranch (BTS)

• Renovations, animals, everyday life

• The “before” and “after” playbook

• Makes the experience feel authentic

🟦 Experience & Offering (The Dream Realized)

• Guest moments, surf scenes, event highlights

• Showcases what it’s like to stay there

• Sells without selling

🎬 Format Strategy

✅ Narrative Carousels

• The viral engine

• Hook → emotional beats → visual payoff

• Designed for relatability, saves, and shares

✅ BTS Video Snippets

• Farm life, family moments, surf shots

• No frills, all feeling

• Builds parasocial connection

✅ Long-Form Captions

• Blog-post-style depth with Instagram intimacy

• Paired with dreamy photography = high-trust content

🔁 The Growth Flywheel

Story → Emotion → Shares → Discovery → Bookings → More Reach

The more they share their story, the more others imagine themselves inside it.
And that’s what drives the business.

📊 Proof It’s Working

✅ 90K+ new followers in two weeks
✅ Consistent engagement and booking inquiries via DM
✅ Automations like “Comment ‘RANCH’ to book” convert interest into action
✅ Clear demand for weddings, retreats, and creative getaways

💡 What You Can Steal

✅ Tell your story.
→ Emotional storytelling builds trust faster than polished branding

✅ Reintroduce yourself like no one knows you
→ Carousels & reels that retell your “why” reach new audiences every time

✅ Make your life the brand
→ Especially in hospitality or lifestyle, you are the emotional hook

✅ Invite people into your dream
→ When the dream is shared, the bookings follow

✅ Format + Story = Scale
→ The right story will outperform paid ads and keep working long after it’s posted

Everything changed when Blanco Bungalow went back to the basics and started sharing their real story and the emotional drivers behind their big move.

So let me leave you with this:

💬 This is an extreme example of what happens when you pair a compelling narrative with the right formats for social, but it proves what’s possible.

I have limited space for 1:1 clients, so if you want to apply to work with me, reply below and tell me more about you and your business.

Cheers,
Eric