Small and Simple

We’re excited to announce that this is the first episode of a series we are doing talking with small businesses that are a part of the Outdoor Gear Builders Of Western North Carolina. This a network of companies dedicated to creating exceptional outdoor gear with a focus on responsible manufacturing, cutting edge innovation, and economic growth in the region.For this first OGB podcast, I talk to Nick, the owner of Fifth Element Camping, a company that sells a modular micro camping system for the Honda Element that basically turns the crossover SUV into a small RV in no time. (Literally, the system installs and removes in under 10 minutes without modification to the vehicle). His designs are incredible, innovative and the first of their kind — not to mention that they’re also light weight, versatile, and super easy to install.Nick's story is inspiring especially if you aspire to turn a passion or hobby into a viable business. Among the design specifics, we also talk about his journey to get where he is today and the lessons he's learned along the way.Check out his website at www.FifthElementCamping.com and follow his adventures on Instagram: @fifthelementcamping.Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts so that you can keep up with other cool folks who contribute to living smaller, more simple (but still totally kickass) lifestyles!

Not many people equate "school buses" to "luxury living," but if you check out Luke Davis's converted bus, you just might see things differently. Luke and his wife Rachel own Skoolie, a company that specializes in converting school buses into amazing custom mobile homes. And although there may be other companies out there doing similar things, few are doing it to the impressive level that they are.As home prices continue to skyrocket, more and more people are looking at "skoolies" (i.e. school buses that have been converted into homes) and other converted vehicles as a viable and more affordable option -- and when you see Luke’s bus and some of the work he has done, it’s really no wonder why.In this episode, we talk about his background, why he and his wife chose "skoolie life" and how that decision ultimately led to them starting this business, his cost breakdown of life on the road (and the relative affordability of building out and living in a bus compared to home ownership), how he literally "raises the roof," cool projects on the horizon and much more!Check out their website at www.skoolie.com and follow Luke and his family’s adventures on instagram: @midwestwanderers.Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts so that you can keep up with other cool folks who contribute to living smaller, more simple (but still totally kickass) lifestyles!

Ujoint Off Road specializes in the conversion of ordinary 1992-to-current Ford E-Series vans into aggressive four-wheel-drive, all terrain vehicles.In this episode I talk with the company’s owner, Chris Steuber, about the specifics of what Ujoint does, how he got into all of this, and much more.Check out their website for more information on what they offer and to see some incredible pictures of conversions they done (www.ujointoffroad.com).Special thanks to Micah Pullyen, creator of the Asheville Van Life Rally for supporting the podcast and introducing me to a majority of the folks you’ll hear on the show. Also thank you to my fiance Renee bringing the podcast to life online.