About The PorchLight Collection
A boutique short term rental management company bringing thoughtful hospitality and trusted property care to cabins and lake homes across the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Our Story
How The PorchLight Collection Began
The PorchLight Collection was founded by Shelby Burgstaler with a passion for hospitality and a love for Northern Minnesota cabin life.
What started as a hands on approach to hosting quickly grew into something bigger. Friends, neighbors, and property owners began asking for help managing their cabins and creating better guest experiences. From there, The PorchLight Collection was built around one idea.
Great stays happen when homes are cared for with intention.
Today, we partner with homeowners throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area to provide full service property management while maintaining the warmth and personality that make each cabin unique.
Our Approach
Hospitality with Intention
- Clear communication with guests
- Carefully managed cleaning and turnovers
- Thoughtful property preparation before every arrival
- Local knowledge and hands on oversight
Meet Your Host
I grew up in the Brainerd Lakes area and now live in my favorite little town, Crosby, MN, with my husband, Tom. These lakes, this community, and the homes that bring people here hold a special place in my heart. Sharing them with both guests and property owners is something I truly love.
I’ve always been someone with many interests, passions, and skills, and for a long time I felt like I never quite fit into the box of just one career path. Property management lets me bring all of those strengths together. It blends hospitality, problem-solving, organization, communication, and creativity. No two days are the same, and that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding.
My journey in the short-term rental world has given me a unique perspective because I’ve experienced it from every side. I’ve been a guest, a housekeeper, a co-host, worked in corporate property management, and now I’m your host. Each role has taught me what matters most, how small details shape a guest’s experience, how clear communication keeps everyone comfortable, and how thoughtful systems make properties successful.
Working with guests and property owners from all over has shown me that the most successful rentals are the ones where both sides are cared for. Guests feel welcomed, comfortable, and excited to return, while owners feel confident their property is being managed with attention, respect, and professionalism.
At my core, I’m a people person. I love helping things run smoothly and creating experiences that leave people feeling cared for. My favorite part of this work is collaborating with property owners to create successful rentals, while also making sure every guest has a memorable stay that feels effortless and personal.
To me, these aren’t just properties. They’re homes that someone has trusted me with, and when guests stay, they become part of the story of that home. That responsibility is something I take seriously, and it’s why I approach every property with the same level of care, attention to detail, and pride as if it were my own.
That passion for hospitality, partnership, and the small details that create an exceptional stay is the heart behind everything I do.
Founder Built. Founder Run.
PorchLight was intentionally built to be different from traditional property management companies. This isn’t a company where your property becomes just another number or your home’s needs get lost in layers of staff. PorchLight is founder-built and founder-run, which means when you partner with us or stay in one of our homes, you’re working directly with me.
Every home is managed according to my personal standards for cleanliness, comfort, and guest experience. When issues arise, they’re handled quickly and with care. Each partnership and every guest stay is thoughtfully tailored to meet the unique needs of the property and its visitors.
Owners can feel confident their investment is protected and performing at its best, while guests enjoy a seamless, memorable stay that feels effortless and personal.
This combination of professional expertise, hands-on care, and attention to detail is what sets PorchLight apart and why both owners and guests trust us.
Why Choose The PorchLight Collection
Thoughtful Management You Can Trust
Based in Crosby, we proudly serve the Brainerd Lakes Area with hands on property care and local expertise. We stay involved with each home to ensure everything runs smoothly.
From first inquiry to checkout, we prioritize clear communication, clean and comfortable spaces, and welcoming touches that create memorable stays.
We handle guest communication, cleaning coordination, inventory management, and light maintenance so homeowners can enjoy peace of mind.
We are a boutique management company, which means every property receives personal attention and care rather than volume based management.
What It’s Like to Work With PorchLight
For Property Owners
Always honest, responsive, and easy to reach.
Issues are handled quickly before they become problems.
Strong understanding of guest expectations and pricing strategy.
Every detail is managed to protect and elevate your property.
Your home is cared for as if it were our own.
For Guests
Spaces that feel warm, personal, and welcoming.
Spotless homes where everything works seamlessly.
Friendly, clear, and quick communication every step of the way.
A stay designed for comfort, ease, and enjoyment.
Everything is prepared so your experience feels easy and stress-free.
Serving the Brainerd Lakes Area
The PorchLight Collection proudly serves cabins and vacation homes across the Brainerd Lakes region, including Crosby and surrounding communities.
This area is known for its beautiful lakes, pine forests, outdoor recreation, and welcoming small town atmosphere. It is a place where guests come to slow down, explore nature, and reconnect with the people around them.
We are proud to help guests experience the best of Northern Minnesota while helping homeowners protect and grow the value of their properties.
