BUNNELL, Fla. — Some dreams are built with lumber and concrete. Others are built with faith, friendships and a community willing to show up when it matters most.
On Saturday, July 11, those elements came together as Split Oak Ranch celebrated its grand opening, welcoming hundreds of family members, friends, community leaders and supporters to officially open the gates on a vision years in the making.
Now owned by Neftali “Tali” and Nicole DeJesus, the 54-acre ranch has long been home to horse boarding and riding lessons. Now, with the addition of a beautiful new event venue, the family hopes it becomes a place where life’s biggest milestones—and everyday community connections—can flourish.
“We had this vision almost a year ago now,” Nicole DeJesus said. “We had the 54-acre ranch, we had boarding facilities, we had lessons, but we just felt like it can do a little bit more.”
That “little bit more” was inspired by a desire to give Flagler County something it didn’t have—a welcoming venue that bridges the gap between expensive event spaces and smaller community halls.
“We love this community. We built our businesses in this community. We built our lives in this community,” Nicole said. “There’s not much for the community. You have expensive venues or you have these other cheaper places. They don’t really have anything in between.”
Instead of creating another business, the DeJesus family envisioned creating a gathering place.
“We plan to do karaoke nights. Somebody just asked me about line dancing nights, food truck nights… we have the space. We just wanted to be a place for the community.”
The community has responded in kind.
Before the ribbon was even cut, the venue’s calendar has been quickly filling.
“We’re ready to host events,” Nicole said. “I have a wedding next weekend. I actually have all December weekends booked out.”
Although work continues on additional wedding amenities, the venue is already welcoming celebrations of all kinds.
For Nicole, however, the ranch represents something even greater than a successful business venture.
It’s an investment in the next generation.
“I want to stop working, so they have to start working,” she laughed. “Especially my daughter. She rides horses… she’s already built into this. She comes here, she loves the horses, and this is just another part for her to keep going with that.”
Standing before a crowd that nearly filled the venue, Tali DeJesus became emotional as he reflected on how Split Oak Ranch came to life—not through one person’s efforts, but through countless acts of generosity.
“This would not be possible without everyone here,” he told the crowd. “From the bottom of our hearts, this would not be possible without all of y’all.”
Rather than simply thanking those in attendance, DeJesus recognized the months of labor, encouragement and unwavering belief that transformed an idea into reality.
“We had nothing but friends and volunteers and people we worked with, our construction companies, just working their butts off volunteering, helping us get this going,” he said. “We just thank every single one of y’all.”
He also thanked local elected officials, business leaders and residents who have supported the family throughout the journey.
“We just want to thank y’all for coming out here, taking your time, being a part of this,” DeJesus said. “Thank you to our community. We love you guys. Thank you all for being a part of this. Thank you for believing in us.”
With a smile—and a little humor about inevitably forgetting someone—the crowd joined in a countdown before officially cutting the ribbon.
Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce President John Phillips said the overwhelming turnout was no surprise.
“I’m thrilled to be here for our ribbon cutting with Split Oak Ranch,” Phillips said. “Tali and Nicole have built a wonderful facility here that’s going to serve our community and expand their services.”
He believes the venue will become a destination for weddings, reunions and celebrations for years to come, pointing to events it has already hosted.
When asked if he was surprised by such a large crowd, Phillips smiled.
“I’m really not, honestly,” he said. “When I got to this community, Tali was one of the people that I heard a lot of great things about.”
He described DeJesus as someone whose greatest gift isn’t building structures—it’s building relationships.
“He’s just a connector,” Phillips said. “He’s the ultimate guy that goes by one name, right? He’s Madonna, Cher, LeBron. It’s just Tali. Some people don’t even know his real name.”
Whether through Split Oak Ranch, 1621 Builders, Florida Green Building, Sanctuary Spa or his work as a pastor, Phillips said DeJesus has become someone who naturally brings people together.
“He is the ultimate connector in this community, and just a good man, a good person, and I’m thrilled for his success and all his friends that are here today.”
That same spirit of community was echoed by Teresa Schwarzkopf, co-owner of Anchor Electric of Florida, whose company helped make the dream a reality.
“They’ve actually become one of our closest friends,” Schwarzkopf said. “They’re building our home as we’re building their dreams here too.”
Watching guests laugh, celebrate and explore the finished venue made months of hard work worthwhile.
“It’s really cool,” she said. “It’s awesome to see everything coming together.”
Anchor Electric also shares a unique place in the ranch’s history.
“It was our son’s high school graduation,” Schwarzkopf said proudly of the venue’s first event. “He did it right before he opened up.”
Surrounded by well-wishers, it was clear that the celebration wasn’t simply about opening a new venue.
