How to Make Money on the Road as a Campervan Sink Designer

While many van lifers apply to remote jobs and seasonal positions, Jenny Bullas realized she could create a unique path for herself. She makes money running a small business that specializes in designing colorful campervan sinks from the comfort of her van.

Although Jenny didn’t necessarily set out to become a campervan sink designer, the positive reactions on social media to her homemade sink in her DIY van caused her to see this as a new business opportunity. Thus, The Little Vanporium was born!

Slowly, she started creating colorful sinks for other van lifers and travelers. Fast forward to today, and she operates an entire workshop and online store while traveling to van fests to showcase her creations.

If you hope to make millions overnight, starting a small business as a van sink designer probably isn’t the right career for you. But Jenny says her business has provided her enough funds to travel abroad and live comfortably from her van – which sounds like a pretty good life if you ask me!

In this interview, Jenny shares her answers to the following questions:

• How much time does it take to maintain your small business?
• What do you like about running your own business on the road?
• What tips do you have for someone who wants to start their own business?

If you’re looking for a way to use your creative and entrepreneurial skills on the road, starting your own small business in design is a convenient way to make money on the road. Let’s dive into Jenny’s story to learn more about how she got started.

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1. Please give us some background on yourself. How did you start your small business, The Little Vanporium?

Life started again at 31. After the breakdown of my marriage, we sold our home, and I quit my job. Not a lot made sense during this time, and moving into a van seemed like a safe space. Living in the van gave me some much-needed breathing space to figure things out, especially with the weirdness of the COVID lockdown going on at the same time.

Once life started opening up again, I couldn’t wait to hit the road and explore. It didn’t take long before I got the itch to renovate another van. This time around, I knew exactly what I wanted and what I definitely didn’t want – like another boring stainless steel sink in my kitchen! I needed color and textures and wanted it to feel cozy.

I toyed with the idea of getting a funky Moroccan-patterned ceramic sink, but practicality won out. I knew it wouldn’t hold up to life on the road. So, I decided to make my own – something lightweight, tough, and bursting with color.

When I shared my sink on social media, the response blew me away. People loved it and started asking if they could buy one, too! So, I created a few more. Now, I have a whole workshop and an online shop.

Nowadays, I travel to campervan festivals and shows, selling my unique creations. The business continues to grow, and I have just developed a portable unit for those wanting a nonpermanent setup. 

Having the freedom of living in the van has allowed me to slowly build this into a business. It might not make me millions, but it’s mine and funds my adventures. In the last three years, I have been to 13 different countries and funded myself through my own creation. Honestly, I couldn’t be happier or prouder of what I’ve built from scratch.

2. What makes your sinks different from others commonly found in campervans?

What’s awesome about our sinks is that they’re bursting with color! Crafted from heavy-duty melamine, they’re lightweight, with most weighing under 1kg. Plus, they’re tough enough to handle whatever the road throws at them and super easy to clean.

3. Do you design and install the sinks on a custom basis? How did you learn these skills?

Unfortunately, I’m unable to take custom orders at the moment due to our manufacturing process. However, we offer a diverse range of colors and styles to choose from!

4. What does the purchasing process for one of your sinks look like for a customer?

We’ve got a super user-friendly website where you can check out all the different sizes and styles of our sinks. And if you’re having trouble deciding, we’ve got an inspiration page filled with tons of images showing our sinks in all kinds of tiny home setups. Plus, we ship worldwide, so no matter where you are, we’ve got you covered!

5. How much time does it take to maintain your small business?

Honestly, I never seem to fully switch off. It’s like my baby! I’m always posting, chatting with customers, handling inquiries, and coming up with new marketing ideas. But you know what? It’s a labor of love, and I genuinely enjoy every minute of it.

6. Is there a high demand for colorful van sinks? 

It’s definitely a niche, no doubt about it. But in these small spaces, I truly believe there’s no room for anything you don’t absolutely love. Your sink can be another way to inject style and color into your van, making it feel even more like home. 

7. What do you like about running your own business on the road?

Having the freedom to mix adventures with work is amazing. Right now, I’m actually in the Alps for a few weeks, soaking up the snow and hitting the slopes with my partner. Before I left, I stocked up on inventory, and I’ve got someone handling dispatch while I’m away.

I still make sure to carve out time every day for my customers, but hey, I get to do it surrounded by breathtaking scenery and delicious food. It’s the best of both worlds!

8. How do you typically find customers to sell to?

Many of our followers and customers have naturally found us through our social channels. But I’ve noticed the algorithms are making it increasingly challenging to connect with our community. That’s why we also make sure to participate in shows, collaborate with campervan converters and stockists, and utilize selling sites to expand our reach.

9. If you don’t mind sharing, how much have you earned through your business?

Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly. As soon as money comes in, I’m usually busy restocking and expanding our inventory or investing in shows and advertising. I also juggle other gigs, like offering business consultancy and handling digital communications for other small businesses on the side. Keeps me on my toes!

10. What are the biggest challenges to your small business?

Keeping up with orders! Sometimes, we get a crazy run on one particular style, and it’s a bit frantic to keep up. But that’s not a terrible problem to have!

11. Are there any other tips you have for someone who wants to start their own business, like The Little Vanporium, while living on the road?

Well, ideally, don’t make colorful sinks! Just kidding. But seriously, living in a van offers the unique advantage of having minimal overhead costs. This means you have an incredible opportunity to start small, dip your toes in, and explore without worrying about hefty expenses weighing you down.

It’s all about following your passions and getting to know your market. Crafting your product and beginning with a modest approach to gauge interest are important early steps. Building a robust online presence, establishing your brand identity, delivering top-notch customer service, and pricing your products wisely is also super important.

Remember, never underestimate the value of your time! Collaborating and networking with others can also broaden your horizons while remaining flexible and being open to adapt are essential for future growth.

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Contact The Little VanporiumIf you’re looking for a colorful sink for your campervan (or have follow-up questions for Jenny), you can find her business, The Little Vanporium, on Instagram and Facebook. You can also connect with her through her website at www.littlevanporium.com.

Remember, there are many ways to earn income from your van. I hope this interview inspires you to consider a new income stream for living on the road!

MORE ARTICLES TO READ:

• 23 Innovative Remote Jobs for Van Life or RVing
• How to Make Money on the Road: 40+ Tips and Ideas for Van Lifers
• 16 Best Online Businesses to Build While Traveling