About this business
A property, a dream, and a plan
When Rhiannon and Derek Eddy took over a struggling bed and breakfast with a day spa in 2012, they knew success wouldn’t come from a quick rebrand or surface-level cosmetic changes.
The property, once envisioned as a retreat, had lost momentum and luster. The farm hadn’t been maintained, staff morale was low, and the business lacked a foothold in the Livermore community.
With a background in the wedding industry and an ability to dream big as entrepreneurs, the couple saw untapped potential in the property. Their vision was to expand and transform the property into a premier wedding and event destination for wine country — even if doing so meant starting from the ground up.
Rather than rushing ahead to bookings, they focused first on the critical basics: people and trust. Culture and staff had to be rebuilt. The land needed care. And most importantly, the brand had to earn back goodwill.
“Livermore knows what they like and what they want, and they really opened their arms wholeheartedly and supported what we were trying to do, which really helped us bring The Purple Orchid back to life,” Rhiannon explained.
That understanding would come to shape every early decision.
“We did buy a struggling business at the time, so we had to work on a lot of infrastructural improvements, and then basically rebuild the brand and the goodwill in the community, as well as staff the entire property,” said Rhiannon Eddy.
Local relationships helped accelerate that rebuilding phase. Family ties to nearby businesses helped spread the word, while a collaborative mindset guided outreach. The team visited neighboring wineries, proposing partnerships and offering to showcase local goods on-site — positioning the property as a place that elevated the broader community, instead of competing with it.
Momentum built on partnerships
As a thoughtful rebuild with community and sustainability at the core wrapped up, demand quickly followed. Weddings began booking at a rapid pace, validating the new vision and creating momentum across the business. As events increased, so did opportunities to collaborate.
“We very quickly were able to ramp up our wedding business, and with that came the need to create more partnerships with other businesses within the community.
We wanted to be super local-centric by having everything we brought in here come from a collaboration with other people here in the Tri-Valley,” said Rhiannon.
Exclusive partnerships formed with caterers, décor specialists, and other local vendors, helping elevate the guest experience while strengthening the surrounding business ecosystem.
What started as a wedding venue expanded into corporate retreats and group gatherings — meeting a growing demand for meaningful, immersive experiences in a beautiful location.
With Fremont Bank’s continued support, the owners were able to scale intentionally, balancing growth with their commitment to personalization and community connection.
Adapting through uncertainty and planning for what’s next
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the business, like many, faced an abrupt pause. Travel, tourism, weddings, and business conferences were pushed back or canceled completely.
Spa services shut down completely at The Purple Orchid through most of 2020, bringing uncertainty during what would normally be a busy season. Downtime became an opportunity. “The upside was that it did allow us to get in and do some updating and renovating that we had held off on because it would disrupt our business,” Rhiannon reflects. The team invested in property upgrades, reassessed operations, and took a deeper look at their long-term business plan. That period of reflection strengthened their clarity about where the business was headed — and how they wanted to grow.
Looking ahead, the vision is both ambitious and deeply personal. While many innkeepers step away within a decade, the family plans to stay and make it a long-term undertaking. They will continue to raise their children on the property and invest in its future. With approval to add more guest rooms, expand the Livermore spa’s services, and grow the venue’s footprint as a top destination for weddings and events, the next chapter in this business love story is already taking shape.
Along the way, the community remains at the center of that vision. Programs like the De Anza Olive Oil Club invite guests to participate in hands-on farming experiences throughout the year — from pruning and education to harvest, milling, and bottling. Members gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Spanish Manzanilla olive, a variety originally brought over from Spain and planted during the early mission days of California along the historic De Anza Trail.
Plans are also underway to deepen ties to the local arts scene, filling the property with photography, pop-ups, wine walks, and creative events that enhance the guest experience.
Purple Orchid and Fremont Bank: A perfect match
From their early days of dreaming and planning, Rhiannon and Derek had their eye on Fremont Bank. “We always knew we wanted a financial partner, not just to be a customer of a bank,” Rhiannon shared. The level of service and personalization available from our business banking team continually reinforces that decision. “We love the personable customer service. You’re acknowledged when you walk in, and you can tell they value you and your time there. You just don’t get that from banks anymore.”
Working closely with the commercial lending team, including Jordan Fujita and Relationship Manager Kimbrely Gruidl, the owners explored refinancing options and found solutions tailored to their needs.
“Because our business is so unique, the team asks a lot of questions to make sure they can dial into what our needs are. They dig deeper than most banks would to find a way to make things work for us and our business,” Rhiannon explained.
With Fremont Bank as a long-term partner, Purple Orchid continues to grow and bloom — not just as a wedding destination, but as a place where community, creativity, and connection thrive.
