The Business of Tiny Homes | Arya Mazanek | CEO of Wilderwise Homes

Arya Mazanek is the CEO of Wilderwise Homes, a company building highly engineered tiny homes designed for modern living. She’s passionate about how tiny living can be a catalyst for people to live in alignment with their values, whether that’s reducing environmental impact, increasing financial freedom, or creating more intentional communities. Arya shares how her path from Girl Scouts to CEO shaped her approach to leadership, the lessons learned from crowdfunding and building a startup, and why the tiny house movement is more than just a trend. We talk about veterans’ housing projects, community developments in Oregon, and what it takes to design a space that’s both functional and inspiring. If you’ve been curious about tiny homes, sustainable living, or turning your values into a business, Arya’s story is packed with insights. Chapters 00:00 Meet Arya Mazanek, CEO of Wilderwise Homes 04:15 From Girl Scouts to Entrepreneurial Leadership 07:40 Designing Highly Engineered Tiny Homes 10:50 Why Tiny Living Aligns with Sustainable Values 14:20 Veterans’ Housing Project in Austin 17:35 Building an Oregon Tiny Home Community 21:00 Crowdfunding on Start Engine and Lessons Learned 25:26 A Day in the Life as a CEO 29:40 Collaborations and Building a Supportive Network 33:15 Why the Tiny House Movement Is Growing 37:00 Accessory Dwelling Units and Housing Solutions 41:20 Inspiration from “Living Big in a Tiny House” 44:10 The Role of Women in the Tiny Home Industry 48:00 Advice for Starting a Values-Driven Business 51:30 How to Connect with Wilderwise Homes The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices