The tiny house industry has been male-dominated, with most companies owned and run entirely by men. If you look back at the history of the tiny house movement, it was initiated by a man. The movement led to the establishment of numerous tiny house businesses with men at the helm of building, designing, and managing. It’s only in recent years that we have seen a wind of change. Women have started taking the lead in managing and designing tiny houses, owning an entire company, and in some cases, building one for themselves, breaking an age-old stereotype that women can’t build.
A case in point is April Terry, an award-winning creative designer, who has been in the industry for the past several years and has been participating in designing and building tiny homes. As the female co-owner and lead designer of Decathlon Tiny Homes, April finds it quite liberating to be a woman in the industry.
Seven years ago, I began designing and building tiny homes, driven by a passion for intentional design and craftsmanship-creating spaces that reflect personal freedom, from minimalist to maximalist
– April Terry
Decathlon Tiny Homes was established in 2003, and April became a significant part of the team in 2009. With a degree in both structural design and political science, she contributes largely to the design prospects of the company’s models. The company describes April as the “crème de la crème” at what she does and what she’s passionate about. The tiny houses, such as Firefly tiny house and Zeus tiny house, stand witness to April’s prowess.
Being the project manager, lead designer, and the heart and soul of Decathlon Tiny Homes, April has a clear vision and motto to build dreams into reality. “Today, more women are confidently building and owning tiny homes, breaking barriers in construction and redefining independence through skill, creativity, and financial empowerment,” April further adds.
Another woman who has made a big impact in the tiny house industry is Fran Huelsmeyer. She is the managing director of Ruru Tiny Homes, a New Zealand-based tiny house company. It’s a family-operated business where Fran brings her expertise and strong professional background in communications, marketing, and public relations.
Before co-founding the family business, she worked largely with international brands across marketing and PR roles. Today, she handles the wide clientele of Ruru Tiny Homes, resolves their queries, and provides them with precise, reliable, and honest communication. As a homeowner and decision-maker, her love of sustainable living is reflected in the tiny houses the company builds using only New Zealand-made materials.
I entered the tiny home industry after co-founding Ruru Tiny Homes in New Zealand, driven by a belief in ethical building, transparency, and sustainable living…Women are increasingly shaping this movement — not only as homeowners, but as leaders, designers, and decision-makers redefining what home truly means
– Fran Huelsmeyer
Fran is passionate about people, continuous improvement, and sustainability, navigating the team with integrity and transparent communication. Being one of the best tiny house builders in New Zealand, there are brilliant examples of highly-efficient and environmentally friendly dwellings, including the likes of Kaka Tiny House and Kiwi Tiny House.
Jewel D. Pearson, on the other hand, designed and built her tiny house 12 years ago as her unconventional retirement plan. She’s an advocate of freedom and breathes a life of one.
I designed and built my tiny house over 12+ years ago as my non-traditional retirement plan. My “why” remains the same: I want to live and know freedom. I now consult to guide others on their journey
– Jewel D. Pearson
Despite facing challenges as a woman of color in the business, she has been fighting for the lack of representation and inclusivity within the tiny house industry, as she firmly believes, “women have long led this movement as builders, owners, community creators and advocates.”
She is a lifestyle architect, community strategist, and creator of The Off-Ramp, guiding others in reimagining tiny home living, lifestyle, and community through intentional living. Looking at Pearson’s extensive work profile, she’s definitely not someone who gives up on comfort and luxury just because the space doesn’t allow it. If you are a tiny house enthusiast, help Pearson advance the national legalization of tiny houses on wheels through the International Code Council (ICC) by signing the petition.
Similar to Jewel, April, and Fran, Elyse Tremblay’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. She went from interning with Quebec’s Minimaliste Tiny Homes to becoming its CEO. As the learning followed, she started building homes, learned the nitty-gritty of sales, and grew into the role. Starting young, she worked tirelessly to strengthen her building prowess and cement her presence in the tiny house industry.
I was doing a master’s during this time, and simultaneously working 40 hours a week without pay. I realized I was putting my master’s away, but I was really passionate about just creating something for the customer. And I think that the fact that I was doing it with no knowledge, it really came from like my core value because that’s the only thing I can know
– Elyse Tremblay
Highlighting her role at the company, Elyse states, “Other than being the CEO, my role is that of a General Manager. So, I am the one with the vision and I like to build a house, I know how it works.” Under her leadership, Minimaliste has designed more than 200 tiny houses, including Nomad 30 tiny house and Magnolia V8 tiny house.
Sharing similar sentiments as Elyse, Heather Fritz, co-founder of Fritz Tiny Homes, quit her respective job in 2019 and started building tiny homes. She, along with her husband, launched her first-ever showcase tiny house on wheels. Since then, Heather hasn’t looked back. At the company, she handles the management and sales aspects of the Fritz Tiny Homes.
It’s exciting to be a part of the tiny home movement. I wouldn’t say it’s a movement anymore. It is here, and it is not going away
– Heather Fritz
For her, to be a part of this movement is beyond thrilling, but what’s exciting is building homes for families, where children and adults can rest, feel welcomed, and have privacy, too. One of the company’s popular builds, the 28-foot Halcyon tiny house, stands as a testament to the company’s building ethos and Heather’s profound vision.
These powerhouse women have carved their own way in the industry, despite it being heavily male-dominated, reminding us that resilience and courage go a long way. Changing the lives of many tiny house enthusiasts, they are guiding people to live small but large and more with less, and their trailblazing doesn’t end here. May their stories encourage other females waiting for that leap of faith into an entirely different life.
