Hello and welcome to the Tiny Hotelier website documenting our family’s voyage into self-sufficiency, diversifying our income, and trying to live a creative, meaningful, and abundant life. We are so glad you are here and hope to share ideas and inspiration in your pursuit of these same values. If you love DIY, using reclaimed materials, houseboats, tiny houses, family fun, travel, sustainability, wildflowers, ice cream, or listening to what we hope is a raw and honest account of our adventures in creating unique Airbnb rentals this is the place for you.
Here is a bit more about Team Tiny Hotelier:
Ashley
Ashley has had a love for unique travel experiences since her college days at Utah State University. Pinching pennies while taking a full class load and working multiple jobs was second nature as the reward was the chance for a bit of world travel. Sometimes these trips included Couch Surfing and just enough in the budget for only a lunch of gelato or dinner packed along in the form of granola bars. It didn’t matter what the menu was as long as she was able to wander along and see the sites.
Along with travel Ashley has always had a passion for service and community. She has had many volunteer experiences including: serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer on an organic farm, working at orphanages in China and Uganda, and helping at an organic market and yoga studio.
After graduating from Utah State University with high honors and bachelor degrees in International Studies and Environmental Studies Ashley developed a love for sustainable agriculture and nutritious foods. Keeping bees, chickens, and a quarter acre with over 50 edible plants was a full time endeavor at her first home in Northern Utah. This passion led to an amazing opportunity to move to Austin, Texas with Ryan and their almost two year old for 9 months of education at a holistic plant-based culinary school, the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts where she earned a Professional Chef Certification. As part of a required externship for the program Ashley was able to indulge in her wanderlust as they went as a family to volunteer on 3 very different types of organic farms in Ontario, Canada for the summer.
Currently the Pacific Northwest is where Ashley resides. She continues to love sustainable agriculture, cooking with whole foods, being outdoors, travel, and working on an endless list of DIY and home improvement projects with Ryan and her favorite kiddos in the world.
Connect with Ashley on Linkedin
Ryan
Ryan has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. He is a tinker-er through and through. It is no wonder that he became a mechanical engineer as he is very good at patiently and methodically working through any type of mechanical problem or hands on situation. He is curious by nature and loves to learn new things. In his engineering education he has traveled to Uganda with Engineers Without Borders (Ashley came too), worked for an amusement rides tycoon, designed fitness equipment, ridden a bike on a treadmill, interned with the sustainable architect Pliny Fisk, and now designs HVAC and plumbing systems for commercial and public buildings.
Ryan enjoys DIY projects using reclaimed and unique materials. His building experience is quirky and diverse and includes: land yachts, chicken coops, a dog house with a green roof top garden, playhouses, giant built in bookshelves, Barbie houses converted from old dressers, and currently a 26 foot shanty houseboat. He is ready and willing to tackle just about any kooky idea Ashley can imagine, as well as many of his own which are often even kookier. He has a passion for simple low tech solutions that are more resilient and sustainable than the more complex systems our society currently relies on daily.
When not building something Ryan enjoys being in the garden. He has a Permaculture Design Certification and finds great satisfaction in planning for and planting edible plants in every square foot he can find on his current property.
Ryan also loves living in the Pacific Northwest and is excited to share this beautiful area with others while hosting them in unforgettable, eco-friendly, and luxurious accommodations.
Ryan and Ashley have been married for 12 years but have a much longer history as they met in 2nd grade. They are having so much fun working together to make Tiny Hotelier a reality and in building their houseboat tiny house. Come along for the ride!
