Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianne Monson.
Hi Marianne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m an entrepreneur in the sense that I’ve always been drawn to building spaces that bring people together. At the center of that work right now is the Wynne House Inn, a historic bed and breakfast I’ve had the opportunity to reimagine. What drew me to the property wasn’t just its architecture, but its story. I saw it as a place where history could feel alive again, where guests could experience the richness of the South in a way that’s intimate, thoughtful, and welcoming.
My background as a historical author shapes everything I do as a business owner. I think about the Wynne House as a kind of living narrative, one that honors the past while creating space for new stories to unfold. We host events, dinners, and gatherings that invite people into conversation with the region’s history and culture, but also with each other. For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about running a business—it’s about creating experiences that feel meaningful, rooted, and connected to place.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s true of anything worth building. Taking on the Wynne House Inn meant stepping into a historic property with all the beauty and all the complications that come with that. There are constant surprises, from structural issues to the day-to-day realities of maintaining an old home. You’re always balancing preservation with practicality, and that can be challenging and unpredictable.
Beyond the physical challenges, there’s also the work of building something in a small town that’s still finding its footing economically. Holly Springs has incredible history and culture, but it’s not always an easy sell to travelers who don’t yet know what’s here. So a big part of the work has been storytelling, helping people see the value, the beauty, and the experience they can have.
On a personal level, entrepreneurship requires a kind of resilience I don’t think you fully understand until you’re in it. There’s uncertainty, risk, and a lot of moments where you’re figuring things out as you go. But I’ve found that those challenges are also what make the work meaningful. You’re not just running a business, you’re shaping something and hoping it grows into what you envisioned. When we see delighted customers sharing pivotal moments of their lives with us, it’s all worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work sits at the intersection of storytelling, history, and creating meaningful experiences. I’m an author by training. I write historical fiction and nonfiction focused on women’s history, and that lens shapes everything I do. I specialize in bringing overlooked stories to life in ways that feel vivid and accessible, whether that’s on the page or in a physical space. That same instinct guides my work at the Wynne House Inn, where I think about hospitality as another form of storytelling: how a place feels, what it holds, and how people connect within it.
Being based in Holly Springs, the hometown of Ida B. Wells, has deepened that sense of purpose. Her legacy is a powerful reminder of the kind of stories that can be overlooked or intentionally erased, and it reinforces my commitment to telling history in a way that is honest, inclusive, and grounded. That influence carries through my writing and the kinds of experiences I try to create here.
I’m best known for championing women’s stories, especially the ones that haven’t always been centered in traditional narratives. What I’m most proud of is building something that feels both rooted and alive. With the Wynne House, it’s not just about preserving a historic home, it’s about activating it, creating a space where people gather, share meals, attend events, and engage with the layered histories of this region.
What sets me apart, I think, is that combination of resilience and creativity. I care deeply about research and historical integrity, but I also care about making experiences feel immersive, welcoming, and emotionally resonant. Whether I’m writing a book or hosting a dinner, the goal is the same: to create something that stays with people, something that helps them see a place, or a story, differently than they did before.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t think of myself as a reckless risk-taker, but I do believe in taking meaningful risks, the kind that align with a larger vision, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. For me, risk has usually looked like stepping toward something I care deeply about before I have all the answers.
Taking on the Wynne House Inn was certainly one of those moments. It meant investing in a historic property in a small town that isn’t always seen as an obvious destination, and trusting that I could help shape something sustainable and vibrant there. There were financial risks, of course, but also creative ones, imagining a space that wasn’t just a bed and breakfast, but a place for storytelling, community, and cultural exchange.
My work as a writer has involved similar leaps. Choosing to focus on women’s history, especially lesser-known figures, can feel like a risk in a market that often favors the familiar. But I’ve found that those are the stories that resonate most deeply, precisely because they haven’t been told enough.
I think of risk less as something to avoid and more as something to engage with thoughtfully. It’s about asking: Is this aligned with what I value? Does it have the potential to create something meaningful? If the answer is yes, then the uncertainty becomes part of the process. In that sense, risk is less about daring and more about trust, trust in the work, and in the possibility that it can grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thewynnehouse.com and www.mariannemonson.com
- Instagram: Wynnehouseinn
- Facebook: The Wynne House Inn and Hummingbird Cottage
