I’ve been quiet the last few months.
Not because we stopped dreaming.
Not because we lost momentum.
But because we hit some bumps in the road.
Our construction bids came in higher than we anticipated. Significantly higher. And for a moment, it felt like that heavy pause you get when reality collides with vision.
We had to ask ourselves some hard questions:
Can we still build this the way we promised?
Can we keep it fully accessible — zero steps, wide doorways, thoughtful clearances, barrier-free lake access — and still be financially responsible?
Can we protect the mission and make the numbers work?
This place isn’t just a business idea. It’s personal. As a family who uses wheelchairs and mobility devices, we are building the place we’ve always searched for. So cutting accessibility wasn’t an option.
But then another curveball came.
Our attorney informed us that “Access Europe Lake” wouldn’t be trademarkable. “Access” is too common. We would need to rebrand.
Rebrand?!
After all the energy, conversations, graphics, and momentum — the idea of starting over felt overwhelming. I truly couldn’t wrap my brain around it.
But sometimes the bumps in the road really do lead to something better.
One night, brainstorming with the kids around the table, we landed on something that felt different. Something bold. Something us.
AccZess.
Access to Nature.
Zero Barriers.
Zero Compromise.
The “Z” represents exactly what we stand for. Not partial accessibility. Not “almost” inclusive. Not good enough.
Zero barriers.
And suddenly, the frustration turned into clarity.
We are now in the process of trademarking AccZess, and for the first time in months, I feel confident sharing it. Excited sharing it.
At the same time, we’ve been working closely with Carlson Erickson Builders to fine-tune the design plans. Adjusting, refining, value-engineering carefully — not stripping away the soul, but building smarter. Staying true to the mission while honoring the budget.
I’m proud to say we are very close to signing on the dotted line.
As soon as we receive final numbers, we can make our down payment and secure our place in line to build.
Fingers crossed we can lock in our spot this week.
We hope to break ground mid-year.
This journey hasn’t been linear. It hasn’t been easy. But it has made us clearer, stronger, and even more committed.
Sometimes the detours create the better destination.
And we cannot wait to welcome you to AccZess.
Access to Nature.
Zero Barriers.
Zero Compromise
