Hello! I’m Renee Seevers, TinyFest CEO and founder. I’ve lived in under 100 square feet for 8 years. For me, the idea of “Going Tiny” is more than just moving into a very small home. It’s about sustainability, autonomy, flexibility, and freedom: financial freedom, freedom of mobility, and freedom from stuff and stress. And, it’s about having fun!
After living and maintaining a 3300 square foot, 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom house – I decided to sell it all after my youngest daughter headed to college. I kept thinking it was “My Time” to do what I wanted – and I wanted a Tiny House!
I bought my first tiny home on wheels – an 87-square-foot home nicknamed “Big R” and took it to a few festivals in 2016.
I kept thinking, “We need to have more of these festivals because it gives people a great way to experience tiny living, ask questions, and see things in person.”
That’s why I created TinyFest Midwest, in my home state of Iowa, featuring fellow Iowan and ‘The Godfather of Tiny Houses’, Jay Shafer. I then branched out to create TinyFest California, TinyFest Northwest, TinyFest Texas & TinyFest Southwest.
I now live in a converted tiny school bus, The TinyFest Express, with my husband Zev.
About Renee Seevers
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m the proud momma of two grown daughters and grandma of 3. My older daughter and her two sons live in Oregon and my younger daughter and her daughter live in Iowa. I love to spend time with all of them, so it’s a good thing my home is on wheels!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I love giving people the opportunity to learn more about their options for obtainable housing and for life! To me, tiny homes give people the opportunity to not just improve their financial situation but also relieve the stress of the upkeep of a large home. Less is truly more. One of my favorite things about my career is that the event often inspires people to jumpstart their journey to tiny living. It makes my heart happy to know they leave TinyFest feeling their dreams are within reach and are inspired to achieve them!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Have faith in yourself! You have the ability to create a life that you love. Whether or not you live in a small home or a big one, once you take a little time to identify your values and priorities and then let your creative juices flow, you can create a career and a life that serves you well. Believe it… You can!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Everywhere! My plan is to be retired in 5 to 10 years. I look forward to traveling with my husband and exposing my grandkids to a variety of cultures.
Renee Seevers & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Meze Greek Fusion & those closest to my event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds 😉
Q: What is your connection to our community?
I’ll be hosting the 6th annual TinyFest California at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in March 2025!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Everyone! I have enjoyed everyone I have met… or at least everyone that I remember. I tend to forget about the grumpy people. (They aren’t worth remembering.)
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The ocean! This Iowa-raised lady can’t get enough of the ocean waves and sandy beaches.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today who is not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where would you meet locally for this lunch?
So many options! Matthew McConaughey comes to mind. He was living the van life, two decades before it became #vanlife. I enjoyed listening to his book Greenlights. I imagine lunch with him would be full of great stories, encouraging advice, and a lot of laughter. Where? On the one of San Diego’s beautiful beaches, of course.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I haven’t owned a TV in 8 years, but I sneak a peek at a TV now and then. My favorite movie from back in the day is Dirty Dancing.
Q: (Even for friends or family) What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
I am attracted to heavy-duty vintage vehicles. I’ve owned a 5/4-ton ’68 Keiser Jeep, a ’70 Internation Loadstar, and a ’76 Ford F800, which was formerly owned by a fire department in Virginia. Oh, and I once bought a former government surveillance van. It looked like it came straight off the set of the A-Team!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A gracious and honest person
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Almost everyone I meet. Through my job, I meet the most amazing, interesting, unique, supportive, and inspiring people.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My dad once told me “Just don’t bring home any 3-legged dogs.” (He was speaking metaphorically.) It seemed an odd comment that stuck with me. I kept wondering what he meant by it. I learned a lot about myself the day I finally figured that out. It’s interesting how one little comment can have such a big impact.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Well, I may be biased, but my ideal weekend is spent at TinyFest California with the awesome nomads, builders, vendors, and attendees I meet there.
Q: Finally, what words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
The ones I love. I am forever at home when I am with the people I love.
