Meet Claudia, an amazingly resilient woman who designed & built an incredible van conversion as her traveling tiny home. Her high-top Ram ProMaster 3500 van features an amazing closet, 2-sided Murphy bed, full bathroom & piano/desk! Living life on the road has been challenging but van life has become the ultimate in self-care for Claudia. She shares insights into her experience as a solo Black female nomad. 🚐🏡 *More Tiny Tours:* th-cam.com/play/PLlvBXhDyr9H3XQbgDHQG23m1P_7LN1yyS.html
OK, I'm now a huge fan of this van and this woman who is all kinds of black girl magic! Her design is downright GENIUS. And her approach to life is so beautiful and uplifting.
@@rolling_resilience I'm following you now on the gram! I was gonna recommend my friend Jewel Pearson who is a trail blazer in the tiny house movement for the black community, follow you too, but looks like she already is!
@@ILOLnumber1 Thank you! Jewel and I are friends! We each taught workshops on tiny living at the Decatur Tiny House festival back in 2016/2017! We chat all the time!
@@rolling_resilience Oh cool!!! Her & I became friend via FB...back when it wasn't the cesspool it is now. Lol. Then when she ran the Harriette Tubman Marathon in Niagara, she drove north an extra 1.5 hours to have dinner with me! She's the best! It makes total sense that you two are also friends. Great minds think alike ;)
@@lcwathome821 hi! I haven't been back to Atlanta in over 2 years so unfortunately I can't point you in the right direction there. All of my connections are with people who specialize in Tiny Houses and not vans. Your best bet on the East Coast is to drive up to Asheville, NC the 3rd week of September and attend the Asheville Vanlife Rally!
I'm so impressed with this build. She is a girly girl, and has made her home fit her needs perfectly. I'm saving this van build, to remind me that I don't have to sacrifices in the nicer things of life while living in a van.
As a full figured woman the need for that full size shower is something that has kept me from jumping into van life. I need elbow room to wash all of me properly so I really appreciate this build!!!
@@kiwigirljacks we plus-sized ladies need additional space at the floor level as well!😁 My hips need room to bend at the waist along with the ability to widen my stance as needed! It's not just the curtain sticking to me that is an issue 🤣
@@rolling_resilience I hear ya! I saw a cool van that has a pull out expandable shower that made it the just about the whole width of the van! That’s a practical idea I think also, but what you’ve done works excellent also😁👍 you could round the edge of the kitchen bench for more moveability also, though then you’d lose cupboard space…. but either way, in a van you do have to compromise somewhere for sure. I would definitely need that full wardrobe 😁
this is the type of content i’m interested in. when she was explaining her experience with implicit bias and racism, that’s something you don’t hear about on other tiny house youtube channels. thank you for sharing the realness of claudia’s story!
Yes, it's dominated by individuals who usually do not have to concern themselves on a personal level with racism and bias. As women, there are the concerns of safety. But, as a black person, there's not that specific concern of safety. I wonder if there is or will be another green book for those living a van life.
I really appreciate that she told the truth about her experiences with traveling as a black person. Sometimes black traveler try to make it seem like it’s not that big of an issue, or don’t speak about it at all. It’s really frustrating to hear this. We’re really tired of this type of treatment. Like really tired.
Many Black travelers don't speak on it because they are also tired. I was willing to talk because Alexis & Christian asked me directly about it and truly wanted to know. They are allies who created a safe space to share my experiences and understand the value in amplifying melanated voices.
@@rolling_resilience I think you were right to answer the question truthfully because your experience needs to be heard! I think you are an absolutely amazing person and I wish I could know you in person (live in the Northwest of the UK so this is unlikely). You are so creative and brave! I agree that everyone can do with spending time on their own! Wishing you all the very best on your travels!!!!😊😊😊😊🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
"The sky is always beautiful." I love that. As a black woman I found this video so inspiring. My son is finally a high school senior. So looking forward to life on the road. It seems so freeing. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! Yes it is freeing but definitely has many challenges! Not a vacation, lol. Start taking action from now because if you want to hit the road when your son graduates, then taking a year to find/ buy/build your van (or whatever vehicle) would be the smartest route to take if you can! I would have preferred to finish my build while living elsewhere rather than doing it WHILE traveling, but my situation didn't allow for it. Thanks for watching!
I too will be doing the same thing when my son graduates in 6 years. Before then, I will do small van summer road trips in a couple of years to get a feel of it.
You can’t imagine how amazing it is to see a woman of color doing vanlife! Whenever I see vanlife videos, it’s usually white couples or white women but Claudia makes me feel like I can do this too! Absolutely amazing van, love the layout and the decor!
I see LOTS of videos showing people of ALL Ethnicities and skin colors living the nomad life…. Have you ever thought that people, due to their culture conditioning, lifestyle and upbringing are not comfortable giving up creature comforts, living an off grid lifestyle, being closer to natural environments? Have you ever asked the content creators how they get their subjects for videos? Perhaps they get their content from those reaching out wanting to share their journey? I think lots of assumptions are at the core of racism, more inquiring, and less generalizing would be better for everyone.
Beautiful build. I can identify with the stares and suspicious looks. I’m a 60 year old black woman and I have traveled from east to west. I have camped in spots where I was the only one who looked like me and have gotten the glimpses that say, she’s either a crazy old lady or a bad “B”. I’m just enjoying my freedom as a citizen of these United States.
We're not allowed to be free..to breathe freely...to enjoy this world. We gotta take that right or have no rights. Live my sista and let them glimpse and stare..take a bite of food and show them we eat too.
I've been recorded reading in my fiat... that hit home. I'm still getting my van but we need MORE vocal black women telling their travel stories like this. Thank you for ALL of this!!!!!
This was by far the best van life video ever!! She took all her damn clothes, still had a whole shower and managed to bring a piano!! Plus she let me know you don't always need to be out in the woods, you can do city life as well. Thanks for such a informative video!!
So inspired for so many reasons. Her voice is commanding yet calming. It’s clear that she is a vocal professional. Her vanity and split queen Murphy bed are my favorite bits of design genius gems I have never seen in a van build to date! And that stealthy laundry shoot. She is correct...no one thinks about laundry until... Thank you, Claudia, for having us into your home!
She has been the most earnest van lifer that addresses the real world that we as black females or males have to do when traveling the USA. I don't travel as a van lifers and I still applies certain safety measures on while driving the roads to different states. Thank you for sharing this information with the audiences. Most don't think about this issues as much as we have to do in this country.
The rules are different for us no matter how we move. The important thing is for us to keep living our best lives and seeing as much of this world that we can! Just be smart about it. Thanks for watching!
@@samgould9930 Nah it happens in the UK too. People just like to think it doesn't. Black folks are treated like second class citizens all over the world.
@@CeeDeeLight thank you for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful. I spoke about challenges as a Black person. I am not African-American as my entire family is from Jamaica.
Beautiful, warm, intelligent woman. Her gorgeous van is a true reflection of her vibrant personality. Wishing Claudia many more years of happy travels.
@Edith Northam 😍😍😍 thank you Edith! You sound like the kind of person that I would love to cross paths with on the road. Thank you for listening to my story and acknowledging my lived experience. It means a lot. It sound like you have a firm understanding of other people's ignorance. Thank you for your kindness and empathy. If you'd like, you can listen to more of my voiceover work and singing at claudiambconsulting.com/voice.
This amazing woman is a force to be reckoned with!! Even though I am much older than her I want to be just like her when I grow up!! She's brilliant....and absolutely beautiful 💜
One of the best vanlifer stories and builds I’ve seen! Thank you guys for allowing her to share her experiences as a Black vanlifer. People who are not Black may not want to deal with that, but, unfortunately, it is our reality whether we like it or not. Bravo
@@rolling_resilience Of course and you are so welcome sis! Keep doing what your doing. I want to do a skoolie. That is my goal. Are you from the atlanta area?
@@JaneenStLouis I LOVE skoolies! No, I'm originally from NYC, and my family is from Jamaica. I just lived in ATL for several years before hitting the road.
@@rolling_resilience Oh, ok. I live in atl but am originally from Boston. I've been living here for a little over 5 years. Came here for love but unfortunately, my husband died of cancer in September. I have a 3yr old son and am serious about changing the way we live to be able to sustain ourselves as my husband was the provider. His birthday is today actually... But anyway, in the meantime, I will live VI carelessly through my Black vanlifers for now until I make my dream of having a skoolie come true!
I appreciate you talking about the realities of being black living van life. I would love to do it and travel the country but I'm scared. It needs to be acknowledged more on all channels. We don't all have the luxury of moving casually without fear and Vlogging it. Great van. You did that sis. ❤️✊🏾
There is a difference between moving with caution and moving with fear. Having your eyes completely open and having a safety strategy while traveling is very different from being hyper vigilant and letting fear paralyze you. I'm glad that my insights were helpful! Thanks for watching!
I love her van! As a solo black woman who has been on the road for 6 years. I fully understand the looks and the feeling of having to explain my situation. Double takes at a F350 super duty and 35 foot 3 slide trailer. Keep rolling sister
Thank you!! You're an OG overlander, good for you 😁. Its not a "feeling" of having to explain; my experiences have been direct interrogation by locals; including by law enforcement. My experiences have also gone far beyond just "looks".
@@rolling_resilience I was shocked to hear you say this. What the hell is wrong with people? Shame on them for treating you this way. So sorry you've had to experience such behavior.
Love that honestly. That was my biggest concern with van life as a Black woman. My biggest hesitation. She is super cute, smart. I could listen to her voice all day. " your girl is fancy". Sending good energy on your journey. So inspiring!!!
FINALLY! Someone one, a blaque goddess, who doesn’t LIE or pretend that it’s all peaches and creme on the road for us. Thank you for telling the truth! I appreciate that.
My SHERO❣️❣️❣️ I’ve been very interested in a Skoolie & didn’t think that the Van Life wasn’t large, but have truly opened my eyes! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your van build. You can add van design & building to your list of talents. Would you don’t mind me asking, what was total expense including your van? When I do take this journey, I would love to hire you for your expertise. I pray for your continued success & safety. God’s blessings to you🥰🥰🥰
What a gorgeous gorgeous woman! I love her van. I love what she said, though I'm sad that some of it needed to be said. Why we cannot love people for who they are is beyond beyond me! You are missing out on funny, clever, warm, spicy, cheeky people when you discriminate. I am extremely glad that Claudia lives her life how it makes her happy. A hard worker for sure too!!!
Hi. Where you wrote, in part "What we cannot love people for who they are is beyond beyond me!" *That* part! After reading #WhiteFragility by Dr. Robin... I'm hoping if u can't love people for who they are, can they at least love #Saneness for what *it* denotes: We share the planet with other types of beings, Co-existing in Civility is thee mark of Sanity. A gift to their psyche not really grace for the other races. sigh.
@@rolling_resilience such a beautiful build. Well thought out and perfectly reflects your warm character! Can’t wait to one day catch you on the road in my Van 🚐!
I think this is by far the best can build I have EVER seen…and I have seen a lot. It is for you and about you. Continue to think and live outside of the box .
I’ve been watching/researching “Van/Bus Life” for the last year and by far this is one of the best I’ve seen. Also I’m so glad to see Claudia who is a person of color enjoying this lifestyle just like other ethnicities. I admit I haven’t seen many people of color on social media living this lifestyle but kudos to Claudia for putting content out there! 💜💙
I’m so inspired by her. She is the first person who really told the story of traveling alone while Black. I’m eventually building a van and I needed to hear that.
Wow WOW W O W!! This van build is genius. This woman is genius. This exact setup would fit my lifestyle perfectly, only all that storage would be used for craft/ office supplies and a little bit of clothes. Thank you for sharing, love & respect her outlook on life & the reality of what she has to endure in a smart & graceful manner.
@@rolling_resilience Thank you for the tip, I will definitely check her out. I just started following you and I look forward to any videos of your adventures if you start posting! 😊
I love the bathroom door. Saw similar in a very high level motor home, but this works in a van!! AND it's great that Polygenius sponsored a video about this polymath!
Omg she is amazing, so funny 🤣 Love all the cool storage! Super eye-opening to hear her experiences of racism in van life and what she has to think about to keep safe that others don't 😔
Im soo impressed... Thank you for inspiring me... Im sorry you have had the bad experiences that you have had and they frighten me about concidering attempting this myself using you as my model. Im white but im old (85) n that seems to be a negative to most, also, but i desire your lifestyle so much and you present it so beautifully it leaves me with the possibilities to reconsider. Thank you again beautiful, intelligent, eloquent lady, I'll be watching you!!!
@@janwesterman6039 you can absolutely do this Jan! There are THOUSANDS of ladies on the road who are your age! You can find them in several FB forums and caravan together. Thank you so much for your empathy and support!
I’m a white woman in my early 50’s considering van life. I love this woman! She is so brave and such an inspiration. Someone I’d definitely like to hang with.
You are one smart cookie, Claudia. You're living your best life on your own terms. And rocking it. Your van design is awesome. I love your priorities. Clothes, shoes, music. Sigh. I'm sad you have to defend your safety. Shouldn't be but you're right, it's true.
your van is AWESOME!!! so many great ideas!! I'm working with my bro-in-law to build out my GIFT and hope to travel abit soon. you mentioned allot of safety concerns I really didn't consider...... wow. in 2021...... as a professional Black woman you've really given me pause.... perhaps when I hit the road we can tailgate! do you travel with others/vans occasionally? esp through the South for safety purposes? best of luck and blessings of safety . T
@@nursehair5252 thank you! No I find it very tedious to travel with others ( unless meeting up at a festival) and don't necessarily consider it "safer" unless you're out in a secluded spot in nature. In an urban environment the more of you there are the less safe you are because you draw attention to yourselves. The "South" is not the area of the country that you should be particularly concerned about. Ignorance and the myth of white supremacy is peppered all throughout these United States in my experience. It’s not at all exclusive to the South. Just keep your wits about you.
DamN Girl, this little van is bloody fantastic, and you even have an oven, that shower cupboard is the best ive ever seen, and i'm addicted to looking at vans ect, i've seen 100's haha. OK you don't have alot of room to move, but it suits for you. The only thing different i would have is my cupboards would be full of craft supplies and not alot of clothes and shoes... Be proud of yourself this van is a bloody ripper :) If i ever could do this, YOUR'S is the van i would say copy please ...
I am really glad to hear her experiences as a Black female solo vanlifer. I don’t see a lot of people that look like me in these videos, so I am always curious to know what things may be like when I eventually get out there. I know there are certain areas I can’t stop in even for gas. I have already experienced that just taking trips in my car. It is really good to see someone speaking about their experiences as a Black vanlifer.
This design is exactly what I want when I get a van to start my van life journey! FINALLY!! I wasn’t seeing anything like this to help accommodate for a full wardrobe and bathroom essentials. The only thing I would changer is getting a bigger fridge, but I understand her reasoning for why she stuck with a smaller one that requires less voltage. This is just so intelligently designed. I love it!
Great job showcasing an amazing well- thought out design featuring a woman of color. Most of these videos on YT help educate people on van-life. Love how this one also educates the differences experienced by black van-lifers, and others that are not typically well-known. Love her vibrant personality too!!
You are so much of an inspiration, and you can feel your kindness. As a black women with 74 years of being a free spirit, I think I would have been doing the same thing when I was younger. Stay safe, and be blessed
I so appreciate how thoughtful and concise you are with your tour. You manage to be warm, informative and humorous without showing every single screw and why you chose it lol! I appreciate you, and your closet!
I'm so glad I watched this video. Claudia has such a creative and inspiring van build and philosophy! She really thought about who she is and what she needed from her design and then built it herself... you go girl! I think a lot of first-time vanlifers make the mistake of building a more common build that you see in videos and then realizing it doesn't work for them. I love to see the really unique builds that suit the owners perfectly. Thanks for the video!
I have watched soooo many vanlife/bus life videos and this one by far is my absolute favorite! The insight given is priceless! Love the breakdown of priorities, the incorporation of self care in van life, and the insight of overcoming the challenges faced by being a black woman solo traveler in a van. Big shout out to Claudia for a vanlife tour well done! Thank you 😊
That is the nicest van I have ever seen.I love how much space she has and all that storage.I really love her closet.It's nice to know you can travel in a van and have all the comforts of home and not be a minamilist.I like her fridge too-it's not super tiny.Her bed is awesome too.I love everything about this van.
Thank you! Definitely NOT a minimalist, lol, but still have much less than people on 2500sqft homes. It's all about "right-sizing" your space to fit all of your needs and *some* of your wants too! Like Goldilocks!
I’ve never commented directly to someone before… But I’m impressed by you, Claudia. I love your soothing voice, confidence, intelligence and style. I hope you continue to thrive, and I hope you have joy and peace.
Sis-you ROCK!! This is by far one of the most inspiring van life videos I have watched and I have seen plenty! As a Latinx woman, I resonate with some of your challenges and your perspective/insights are head on! Love your spirit, journey and your impeccable van! ♥️♥️ so glad to have “met” you via this channel! Carpe Diem, blessings upon you always my dear sister, you are amazing!!
Thank you! I know you can understand where I'm coming from eventhough our experiences aren't exactly the same. Being a POC in the USA can be quite challenging, but nevertheless we persist . Glad that you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
This was one of the BEST tiny home vids ever! Packed full of intelligent info and insights, creative design ideas, realistic thought processes and inspiration! I especially love the part about "safe" traveling and "black awareness." Priceless! Important! THANK you! I feel inspired to solo journey because of your share. This realistic, honest and true to life video has made me a believer that I too can DO this! Claudia, you are Phenomenal in EVERY way. Just a Beautiful, Bold, Genius (!) Black Woman inside and out! 🙏🏾💖
Also we don’t get invited to all of the tiny home communities like others or when we try to find parking it’s yes over the phone but once they see us it’s all of a sudden No!! Please keep posting our community maybe someday people will at least welcome us into the Tiny Home community
Oh it’s okay Madison we are use to it but hopefully this will open some eyes , there are some great stories of black people on Tiny Home Tours as well I love Chris over there as well because he listens!!
Claudia, thank you for being authentic and transparent and using this platform to empower us to pursue this lifestyle while also speaking the truth about the realities of being Black in america (wether in a van or not). In regards to the van… The storage, the full closet, the place for her piano, the beautiful decor…amazing! #BlackGirlMagic OMG…she just pulled her bed down…such a powerful reminder to me that “we get out of life what we have the courage to ask for.” -Oprah Winfrey
I love Claudia's energy, honesty and creativity! I'm obsessed with tiny homes and mobile living and I hope to experience it at some point in my life. I would love to meet this woman and just hang out/ have a long conversation. Wishing great success for her for years to come. (In my mind, she's already successful. I just pray she stays safe & the success continues.)
FINALLY..FINALLY...A fantastic, artistic, overly organized, and with all the ammenities VAN!!! Oh my gosh...Finally, a van with lots of artwork on the walls and doors..that's fantastic and just how I would do it. And I love the space planning and the organizational skills that you used to make this van an organizers' dream. Love it..love it. This is a wonderful life that you have created for yourself.. May your travels be blessed and the Angel's watch over you.. Shame on the lookers, haters and all the rest of these types of people. You just keep going on with your business and leave them to God! Blessings of gratitude and prosperity for you!! Love it...
Her voice and her attitude on how she lives her life is so uplifting and downright beautiful. I love her spunk, the way she decorated her van and her braids. She is so beautiful in every way. Stay safe in your travels beautiful Queen. I'm so happy you followed your dreams and you're living free. I love it. ❤
@@rolling_resilience thank you Claudia, I'm looking forward to it. Have a great day and please stay safe out there. Some people can be all kinds of evil. It would break my heart to know that something happened to you. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. ❤
Thanks for this interview, love the fact that this woman was allowed to share the truth about being black on the road and the precautions that's needed peculiar to us.
Absolutely love her energy! The van is gorgeous, the space is perfect. The reality that she talks about as a Black woman living the van life is really good to know. May she be protected fully wherever she goes. Legendary stuff right there. 🙏🏾🤗🤩
I love Claudia's spirit! I love this video. She addressed everything I wanted to know, especially about the potential for racial bias. I notice a lot of tiny home channels don't feature a lot of people of color. Thank you for posting video - even the uncomfortable parts. It will prove invaluable to Black people entering the tiny home community.❤❤
Thank you! Happy to shed some light on vanlife!. Please keep in mind that you DON'T have to spend all of your time in Walmart parking lots. It's really about what your budget and lifestyle allows. You could easily choose to pay to stay in RV parks ( depending on the specific vehicle you have) and just travel from luxury park to park and campgrounds. You can also camp and spread out for weeks at a time in National Forests or BLM land. Walmart are just super convenient if you're stopping for a night in a small town, or spend a lot of time in big cities. YOU decide where you want to spend the majority of your time as well as if you need constant cell/ internet access and move accordingly. Check out Robin with Creativity RV here on YT to get an idea of ways to live out in nature in a luxury RV
Thank you for your thoughtful comment ❤️ we strive to showcase the wonderful diversity of tiny dwellers out there to show folks the reality that some different people come together of some shared values, and to hopefully contribute to a welcoming community environment.
What an incredible van build! Also, love her personality and drive to do what's best for her. I hope our paths cross someday on the road. :) It really does stink that being a black, female solo vanlifer comes with challenges like the ones she mentioned but we have to keep it moving for our own welfare and peace of mind. Thanks for sharing her tiny home and story!
This is the best van life video I've ever seen. She not only speaks about what she's created in her van but she also educates, encourages, advice and added humour to it and she has a lovely voice. I was against van life but seeing the things done here which I can totally relate to & it has released an exciting bubble to want to design one too. Wow awesome van home, awesome ideas, awesome personality, awesome voice and interesting information. Absolutely enjoyed it. From the tiny island of Suva, Fiji.
I've always wanted to go to Fiji! Thank you so much for watching! When I first started watching vanlife videos, I felt the same way. I thought it would be too small and too hard and that I would have to give up too much. Then I kept researching and started playing around with designs and realized that I could have it all! You can hear more of my voiceover work at claudiambconsulting.com/voice
that fold down murphy bed is genius! i did not see that coming! I appreciate her sharing her hacks as well as challenges as a black woman on the road in America. One thing that caught me when she said, "it's not the van, it's me..." I would invite a reframe...it's not because of *you* it's because of them... because, racism.... that shifts the onus of responsibility to the perpetrators not the person just trying to live their best life!
This lady is a total person In every way. I love her build out van. As a female Rver I would consider having her as a friend an honor . Travel on and happy trails .
She has her cake and gets to eat it too!!! I love it! You didn't give up anything, you brought everything that matters to you! Thanks, I am inspired!!!
I wish I could click 'like' a thousand times. What a talented individual & true inspiration she is. I've been manifesting this lifestyle since before the pandemic struck us. Then like many, I became paralyzed with fear because of all of the uncertainty. Now I'm regretting because it's become more challenging to get a van. 🙏🏼I'm praying I get mine by Sept so that I can build it out in 3 mo's & be on the road by the new year. As a Latina of color, I totally understand where's she's coming from. I've been trying to get my good friend who is black to also get a van & join me. But he's not open to it due to the reasons she spoke of. I totally get it but I'm going to show him this video & see if he gets inspired.
Thank you so much! Yes, it is tough now to get a van, but keep searching and try not to be tooooo picky as there is no such thing as a "perfect van". As far as the build is concerned, 3 months is a VERY tight schedule if you're doing it yourself- especially if you've never done it before. If you're doing something VERY simple with no plumbing and a battery charger instead of a full electrical system then it can be done in 3 months with full time work. If its anything more complicated, plan for 6 months as sometimes sourcing build materials can be the most time consuming part! Good luck and I'll see you on the road!
@@rolling_resilience Hey there, thanx 4 the response & words of encouragement. Fortunately, I will have both my brother & brother in law helping me with the build so hopefully we can get it done by end of Dec. I'm so ready to hit the road that I'll most likely be taking a few road trips once the foundation is done, Lol... Can always build along the way. Almost got a van yesterday but someone beat me to the punch, I'll be looking at two more this week. Fingers crossed! Btw, I have the same mini iron & I love that little thing!
This is only the 5th Black person I've seen in stealth camping/van/bus life. I loved seeing my biggest concern highlighted: the SHOES. I needed to know it could be done! Taking her whole closet and shoving it in there was also satisfying lol. But seriously it is amazing to hear an unaltered version of what Black women in van/bus etc life have to be mindful of. Part of it is def because shes a single traveling woman too. Because Black couples don't deal with the same biases. Thankyou Tiny House Expidition for sharing her story without editing out the hard to hear parts. She is so fly, elegant & I just want to be her friend. I love to see it!
A piano in a van?! Your beautiful van build has inspired me all over again. I love your big shower, your split murphy bed, and all your brilliant storage solutions! Your thoughts on van life as self care are very insightful. Not only is your van an inspiration, you are too. If you ever want to experience some NW Minnesota prairie life, it would be our honor to host you up north!
Claudia, you are a gem! You’re an amazing designer. I’ve not seen that Murphy bed design on any other videos yet, and your storage is spot on. I’m sorry about the extra precautions you need to take. I wish the world was different. You tell your story incredibly well, so I subscribed to your channel in the event you continue telling your story via videos. I hope you consider that, as I’ve seen it positively impact other people's established businesses, and I think you’ve got stories to tell.
Thanks for watching ! I'm keeping my stories on Instagram for now, but who knows what the future may hold?🤷🏾♀️ I'm glad I gave some bed and storage ideas ! I've seen Murphy beds in other builds, but the usually take up entire walls and leave no room for upper cabinets on one side. I wanted uppers on both AND full seating, so that is what I came up with. All I had to do was figure out how to build it using only batter operated tools and do so quietly in public spaces as I travel. Thanks for your support !
Wow Just wow 😍 her playing the piano made my eyes tear … my late husband use to play … her speaking on being black solo traveling is so accurate & on point . Praying her safety always … this is just phenomenal. I use to be homeless as a teenager… I would have loved to have this 25 yrs ago lol … I just love this on so many levels
Claudia has an amazing voice. Her voice is so soothing. Just got to the part of the video where she said she does voice overs and vocal coaching...I knew it!
Amazing home and amazing woman ! Yes racism is learnt behavior that is further ingrained by discriminatory and racist systems and structures that embolden this behavior. Thankyou for sharing your story Claudia and good luck , you smart talented woman! 👍
Oh my, your a lovely warm soul. I love art and would if I could, do the same as you. I am so sorry you have to go through life worrying about peoples perceptions. That part made me cry. God bless you and stay safe.
Claudia you're not just a builder - *You're a MASTER BUILDER!* Hands down the best tiny home I've seen so far *single-handedly* created by a Beautiful Soul. Well done Sis! 💗💗💗💗💗
This is so amazing my lovely lady I love seeing black Queens doing the Van life you are such a amazing lady. I love the layout you love the brick on the wall, closet, and the skylight Thank you for sharing ❤️👏🏼🙏🎉😘🥰
From Australia I found you very inspiring but I felt so sad that even now, judgement and discrimination is so profound. I know it exists in every country sadly but your determination and bravery is something to be looked up to. 💜
I've been playing this video on repeat since I found it. Only been binge watching van life and black van life for 3 weeks now and my mind is spinning with so much inspiration. This right here.... is EXACTLY the layout I've been thinking about...right down to the Murphy bed (what a genius idea to split it!) and a skylight instead of windows. Luuuuv the emphasis on storage. I'd give up a few clothes for fiber and metal craft tools & supplies, maybe a larger fridge but totally understand the power tradeoff. And you brought your piano....🤯🥳👏👏you gave me the idea how to bring mine along too. Respect! I also deeply appreciate your insights on traveling as a solo black woman. I'm taking notes from you and other melanated sisters on YT. Stay fancy, Claudia! Blessings and best wishes for safe travels from a fellow decaffeinated Atlanta dweller 😄 hope to meet you on the road someday.
Beautiful woman in a beautiful van. She's the vibe I aspire to be. I loved the honesty and creativity and the layout and thought. If i did social media I'd follow her just to see her journey and growth. Love love love
She definitely spoke to the reason why I'm cautious about doing van life part time because everyone is not going to just let you be being a person of color. However, she is definitely giving me all of the vibes...I want to rent someone's van for like a week to try it out to see it's something that I really see myself doing semi permanently.
This van build is AMAZING!!!! It hits literally all the wants on my list (if I finally do decide to get a van 😂) I really appreciate her honesty about her experiences. Great video!!!
Gurl, you’re a bad mamajama!!!! Luv your swagger!!!💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 If ever I had a van, I would want it to be just like yours. Original, functional, yet stunning!
Meet Claudia, an amazingly resilient woman who designed & built an incredible van conversion as her traveling tiny home. Her high-top Ram ProMaster 3500 van features an amazing closet, 2-sided Murphy bed, full bathroom & piano/desk! Living life on the road has been challenging but van life has become the ultimate in self-care for Claudia. She shares insights into her experience as a solo Black female nomad. 🚐🏡 *More Tiny Tours:* th-cam.com/play/PLlvBXhDyr9H3XQbgDHQG23m1P_7LN1yyS.html
@MY YT glad that you enjoyed. We KNEW that we could be free... just had to figure out how
I haven't watched in a while, then tuned into this wonderful story! Congratulations on 200k!
@@jamesengland7461 thank you very much!
I love it. I am so proud of you my Sista.
@@robyng.2340 thanks so much!
This van speaks volumes about its owner. She is “all-that”. Confident, decisive, creative and brave.
Thank you!
Love,love this van! Claudia, you are an impressive woman… creative & confident! Thank you for sharing your goodness 🦋
@@rolling_resilience oh my! this girl almost lost it when I saw your bed come down! This is beautiful just like you and very encouraging.
She sure is everything you said. One of the nicest setups and presenter ever!
💯!Very impressive!
OK, I'm now a huge fan of this van and this woman who is all kinds of black girl magic! Her design is downright GENIUS. And her approach to life is so beautiful and uplifting.
Thank you 😊! 💁🏾♀️😎😁🤓
@@rolling_resilience I'm following you now on the gram! I was gonna recommend my friend Jewel Pearson who is a trail blazer in the tiny house movement for the black community, follow you too, but looks like she already is!
@@ILOLnumber1 Thank you! Jewel and I are friends! We each taught workshops on tiny living at the Decatur Tiny House festival back in 2016/2017! We chat all the time!
@@rolling_resilience Oh cool!!! Her & I became friend via FB...back when it wasn't the cesspool it is now. Lol. Then when she ran the Harriette Tubman Marathon in Niagara, she drove north an extra 1.5 hours to have dinner with me! She's the best! It makes total sense that you two are also friends. Great minds think alike ;)
@@lcwathome821 hi! I haven't been back to Atlanta in over 2 years so unfortunately I can't point you in the right direction there. All of my connections are with people who specialize in Tiny Houses and not vans. Your best bet on the East Coast is to drive up to Asheville, NC the 3rd week of September and attend the Asheville Vanlife Rally!
It’s the full closet, shower, oven, and shoe storage for me. Yes, this how you build a van. 👏🏾
Yes. Everyone's wardrobe doesn't consist of t-shirts and pants. A closet would be on my list as well along with a shower and comfy bed
I'm so impressed with this build. She is a girly girl, and has made her home fit her needs perfectly. I'm saving this van build, to remind me that I don't have to sacrifices in the nicer things of life while living in a van.
I can't get over the piano.
It's a smart decision.. this is the Future ".
It’s the keyboard in the table in the back for me.. ❤
As a full figured woman the need for that full size shower is something that has kept me from jumping into van life. I need elbow room to wash all of me properly so I really appreciate this build!!!
We need SPACE, right?!😁
You can also get a shower rail that just pops out at the top so you can still keep a narrower footprint at floor but have lots of elbow rooms still 🙂👍
@@kiwigirljacks we plus-sized ladies need additional space at the floor level as well!😁 My hips need room to bend at the waist along with the ability to widen my stance as needed! It's not just the curtain sticking to me that is an issue 🤣
@@rolling_resilience I hear ya! I saw a cool van that has a pull out expandable shower that made it the just about the whole width of the van! That’s a practical idea I think also, but what you’ve done works excellent also😁👍 you could round the edge of the kitchen bench for more moveability also, though then you’d lose cupboard space…. but either way, in a van you do have to compromise somewhere for sure. I would definitely need that full wardrobe 😁
@@kiwigirljacks ooh I need to see that expandable shower!!
Ugh she is an entire vibe. So refreshing to watch and she did it herself! On her own. Cheers to her:)
Thank you so much!
sista did her thang better than most i've seen but that's just a reflection of her personality.
this is the type of content i’m interested in. when she was explaining her experience with implicit bias and racism, that’s something you don’t hear about on other tiny house youtube channels. thank you for sharing the realness of claudia’s story!
Honored to share ❤️
Yes, it's dominated by individuals who usually do not have to concern themselves on a personal level with racism and bias. As women, there are the concerns of safety. But, as a black person, there's not that specific concern of safety. I wonder if there is or will be another green book for those living a van life.
Exactly!
@@michellegulden1052 she shouldn't concern herself with it because it isn't as big a thing as some want you to think it is.
Because it isn't a thing. She just has issues
I really appreciate that she told the truth about her experiences with traveling as a black person. Sometimes black traveler try to make it seem like it’s not that big of an issue, or don’t speak about it at all. It’s really frustrating to hear this. We’re really tired of this type of treatment. Like really tired.
Many Black travelers don't speak on it because they are also tired. I was willing to talk because Alexis & Christian asked me directly about it and truly wanted to know. They are allies who created a safe space to share my experiences and understand the value in amplifying melanated voices.
and Im really sorry that this country has not moved in a positive manner away from this kind of treatment....
@@rolling_resilienceThank you for sharing and would love to see some future videos of you as you travel the country😊
@@rolling_resilience Claudia please post on your TH-cam some of your amazing travels. I could listen to you forever!!
@@rolling_resilience I think you were right to answer the question truthfully because your experience needs to be heard! I think you are an absolutely amazing person and I wish I could know you in person (live in the Northwest of the UK so this is unlikely). You are so creative and brave! I agree that everyone can do with spending time on their own! Wishing you all the very best on your travels!!!!😊😊😊😊🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
"The sky is always beautiful." I love that. As a black woman I found this video so inspiring. My son is finally a high school senior. So looking forward to life on the road. It seems so freeing. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! Yes it is freeing but definitely has many challenges! Not a vacation, lol. Start taking action from now because if you want to hit the road when your son graduates, then taking a year to find/ buy/build your van (or whatever vehicle) would be the smartest route to take if you can! I would have preferred to finish my build while living elsewhere rather than doing it WHILE traveling, but my situation didn't allow for it. Thanks for watching!
I too will be doing the same thing when my son graduates in 6 years. Before then, I will do small van summer road trips in a couple of years to get a feel of it.
You can’t imagine how amazing it is to see a woman of color doing vanlife! Whenever I see vanlife videos, it’s usually white couples or white women but Claudia makes me feel like I can do this too! Absolutely amazing van, love the layout and the decor!
Here is another channel you might like: th-cam.com/users/LoveBiz
You didn't feel like you could do it before? JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE BLACK? SMH
I see LOTS of videos showing people of ALL Ethnicities and skin colors living the nomad life…. Have you ever thought that people, due to their culture conditioning, lifestyle and upbringing are not comfortable giving up creature comforts, living an off grid lifestyle, being closer to natural environments? Have you ever asked the content creators how they get their subjects for videos? Perhaps they get their content from those reaching out wanting to share their journey? I think lots of assumptions are at the core of racism, more inquiring, and less generalizing would be better for everyone.
Yes, very eye opening. I live on the west coast and I want to travel to other places and I obviously have to plan accordingly.
@@taratruman6330 Representation matters. Most specifically for marginalized groups of people.
"But the sky is always beautiful"
Made me smile
⛅️🌞💛💙
Isn't it though? 😁 Especially with a name like "Sky"lark. Thanks for watching!
Beautiful build. I can identify with the stares and suspicious looks. I’m a 60 year old black woman and I have traveled from east to west. I have camped in spots where I was the only one who looked like me and have gotten the glimpses that say, she’s either a crazy old lady or a bad “B”. I’m just enjoying my freedom as a citizen of these United States.
Thank you! I know, right? "Just enjoying my freedom". You get used to the looks, but it's never comfortable. Thanks for watching !
@@rolling_resilience
Keep enjoying your best life
The lady who wants to get out on the rd in a van at 85 is MY HERO...RIDE ON!
We're not allowed to be free..to breathe freely...to enjoy this world. We gotta take that right or have no rights. Live my sista and let them glimpse and stare..take a bite of food and show them we eat too.
Thanks for being a trailblazer!
I've been recorded reading in my fiat... that hit home. I'm still getting my van but we need MORE vocal black women telling their travel stories like this. Thank you for ALL of this!!!!!
This was by far the best van life video ever!! She took all her damn clothes, still had a whole shower and managed to bring a piano!! Plus she let me know you don't always need to be out in the woods, you can do city life as well. Thanks for such a informative video!!
We can do it all in vanlife! 😁 thanks for watching!
So inspired for so many reasons. Her voice is commanding yet calming. It’s clear that she is a vocal professional. Her vanity and split queen Murphy bed are my favorite bits of design genius gems I have never seen in a van build to date! And that stealthy laundry shoot. She is correct...no one thinks about laundry until... Thank you, Claudia, for having us into your home!
Thank you! You can listen to more of my work at claudiambconsulting.com/voice
I'm in love with her spirit, with the van and the lifestyle she's created for herself. So inspiring
She has been the most earnest van lifer that addresses the real world that we as black females or males have to do when traveling the USA. I don't travel as a van lifers and I still applies certain safety measures on while driving the roads to different states. Thank you for sharing this information with the audiences. Most don't think about this issues as much as we have to do in this country.
The rules are different for us no matter how we move. The important thing is for us to keep living our best lives and seeing as much of this world that we can! Just be smart about it. Thanks for watching!
Wow, this kind of shit does not happen in the UK
@@samgould9930 Nah it happens in the UK too. People just like to think it doesn't. Black folks are treated like second class citizens all over the world.
I really enjoyed watching your story. Thank you for being authentic and telling your experience of traveling as a black person.
@@CeeDeeLight thank you for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful. I spoke about challenges as a Black person. I am not African-American as my entire family is from Jamaica.
Beautiful, warm, intelligent woman. Her gorgeous van is a true reflection of her vibrant personality. Wishing Claudia many more years of happy travels.
Thank you!
@Edith Northam 😍😍😍 thank you Edith! You sound like the kind of person that I would love to cross paths with on the road. Thank you for listening to my story and acknowledging my lived experience. It means a lot. It sound like you have a firm understanding of other people's ignorance. Thank you for your kindness and empathy. If you'd like, you can listen to more of my voiceover work and singing at claudiambconsulting.com/voice.
This amazing woman is a force to be reckoned with!! Even though I am much older than her I want to be just like her when I grow up!! She's brilliant....and absolutely beautiful 💜
🌹🌹🌹🌹🙏
One of the best vanlifer stories and builds I’ve seen! Thank you guys for allowing her to share her experiences as a Black vanlifer. People who are not Black may not want to deal with that, but, unfortunately, it is our reality whether we like it or not. Bravo
Thanks for your support ( I see you caping for me in the comments 😉). I'm glad that you enjoyed! We outchea!
@@rolling_resilience Of course and you are so welcome sis! Keep doing what your doing. I want to do a skoolie. That is my goal. Are you from the atlanta area?
@@JaneenStLouis I LOVE skoolies! No, I'm originally from NYC, and my family is from Jamaica. I just lived in ATL for several years before hitting the road.
@@rolling_resilience Oh, ok. I live in atl but am originally from Boston. I've been living here for a little over 5 years. Came here for love but unfortunately, my husband died of cancer in September. I have a 3yr old son and am serious about changing the way we live to be able to sustain ourselves as my husband was the provider. His birthday is today actually... But anyway, in the meantime, I will live VI carelessly through my Black vanlifers for now until I make my dream of having a skoolie come true!
@@JaneenStLouis you can do it!!! I think that you are very smart to do what you are doing and praying for blessings for you and your child
I appreciate you talking about the realities of being black living van life. I would love to do it and travel the country but I'm scared. It needs to be acknowledged more on all channels. We don't all have the luxury of moving casually without fear and Vlogging it. Great van. You did that sis. ❤️✊🏾
There is a difference between moving with caution and moving with fear. Having your eyes completely open and having a safety strategy while traveling is very different from being hyper vigilant and letting fear paralyze you. I'm glad that my insights were helpful! Thanks for watching!
True. But don't let them know about your fears because in doing so you inadvertently empower them.
I love her van! As a solo black woman who has been on the road for 6 years. I fully understand the looks and the feeling of having to explain my situation. Double takes at a F350 super duty and 35 foot 3 slide trailer. Keep rolling sister
Thank you!! You're an OG overlander, good for you 😁. Its not a "feeling" of having to explain; my experiences have been direct interrogation by locals; including by law enforcement. My experiences have also gone far beyond just "looks".
@@rolling_resilience I was shocked to hear you say this. What the hell is wrong with people? Shame on them for treating you this way. So sorry you've had to experience such behavior.
Why, it's just a van: I will never understand........ridiculous! Glad we are out there and showing them.
Love that honestly. That was my biggest concern with van life as a Black woman. My biggest hesitation. She is super cute, smart. I could listen to her voice all day. " your girl is fancy". Sending good energy on your journey. So inspiring!!!
Glad I could help! Thank you! You can hear more at claudiambconsulting.com/voice
Beautiful voice!
FINALLY! Someone one, a blaque goddess, who doesn’t LIE or pretend that it’s all peaches and creme on the road for us. Thank you for telling the truth! I appreciate that.
Thanks for watching! I only scratched the surface in this video but I'm glad that you found it helpful.
My SHERO❣️❣️❣️ I’ve been very interested in a Skoolie & didn’t think that the Van Life wasn’t large, but have truly opened my eyes! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your van build. You can add van design & building to your list of talents. Would you don’t mind me asking, what was total expense including your van? When I do take this journey, I would love to hire you for your expertise. I pray for your continued success & safety. God’s blessings to you🥰🥰🥰
@@ramonaanderson2632 why did you go ask the price, she will think you are racist now
Maybe all is peaches and cream for some.
Exactly!
What a gorgeous gorgeous woman! I love her van. I love what she said, though I'm sad that some of it needed to be said. Why we cannot love people for who they are is beyond beyond me! You are missing out on funny, clever, warm, spicy, cheeky people when you discriminate. I am extremely glad that Claudia lives her life how it makes her happy. A hard worker for sure too!!!
Hi. Where you wrote, in part "What we cannot love people for who they are is beyond beyond me!" *That* part!
After reading #WhiteFragility by Dr. Robin... I'm hoping if u can't love people for who they are, can they at least love #Saneness for what *it* denotes: We share the planet with other types of beings, Co-existing in Civility is thee mark of Sanity. A gift to their psyche not really grace for the other races. sigh.
I'm sorry to hear about this fabulous woman's struggles with racism and prejudices on the road. You're awesome babe!! 💜
Thank you so much!
Blacks deal with racism everyday of our lives...like she said, we are always on high alert or we wouldn't survive and sometimes we don't survive.
Hahahahaha
I am so inspired by this lady! Her van is gorgeous and suits her perfectly. Thanks so much for posting.
So happy to share! We love Claudia ❤️ and her van
Thank you for watching! You can do it too!
@@rolling_resilience such a beautiful build. Well thought out and perfectly reflects your warm character! Can’t wait to one day catch you on the road in my Van 🚐!
@@1lifewanderlust thank you! Yes! I love to go to the bigger van gatherings so maybe we will cross paths on the road!
I think this is by far the best can build I have EVER seen…and I have seen a lot. It is for you and about you. Continue to think and live outside of the box .
I’ve been watching/researching “Van/Bus Life” for the last year and by far this is one of the best I’ve seen. Also I’m so glad to see Claudia who is a person of color enjoying this lifestyle just like other ethnicities. I admit I haven’t seen many people of color on social media living this lifestyle but kudos to Claudia for putting content out there! 💜💙
I’m amazed at Claudia’s innovations in her van. So clever! The fold down split bed blew me away. What a smart and brave lady!
Thank you so much Edith!
I love this woman. She seems to have such clarity and purpose.
Thank you! 😊
I’m so inspired by her. She is the first person who really told the story of traveling alone while Black. I’m eventually building a van and I needed to hear that.
Wow WOW W O W!! This van build is genius. This woman is genius. This exact setup would fit my lifestyle perfectly, only all that storage would be used for craft/ office supplies and a little bit of clothes. Thank you for sharing, love & respect her outlook on life & the reality of what she has to endure in a smart & graceful manner.
Genius indeed 😉❤️
@@rolling_resilience Thank you for the tip, I will definitely check her out. I just started following you and I look forward to any videos of your adventures if you start posting! 😊
I love the bathroom door. Saw similar in a very high level motor home, but this works in a van!! AND it's great that Polygenius sponsored a video about this polymath!
@@liannearnote2973 Thank you! The shower door is one of my favorite parts.
@@rolling_resilience I need your design help.
Wow! She’s fabulous and so is her van!
I just love her energy, her truthful informative dialogue about being black, female van lifer. She's very talented and positive. Love her!!
Thank you!
Omg she is amazing, so funny 🤣 Love all the cool storage! Super eye-opening to hear her experiences of racism in van life and what she has to think about to keep safe that others don't 😔
Thank you for your support, and thanks for really listening to my experience!
Wow I really enjoyed listening to this lady's adventures. She is such a beautiful, inspiring, well spoken woman. I wish her much success in life!
Thank you!
Im soo impressed... Thank you for inspiring me... Im sorry you have had the bad experiences that you have had and they frighten me about concidering attempting this myself using you as my model. Im white but im old (85) n that seems to be a negative to most, also, but i desire your lifestyle so much and you present it so beautifully it leaves me with the possibilities to reconsider. Thank you again beautiful, intelligent, eloquent lady, I'll be watching you!!!
@Karen Cole thank you!😁
@@janwesterman6039 you can absolutely do this Jan! There are THOUSANDS of ladies on the road who are your age! You can find them in several FB forums and caravan together. Thank you so much for your empathy and support!
Oh my goodness!!! You are so wonderful!!! Lol blessings of kind people and love!!
I’m a white woman in my early 50’s considering van life. I love this woman! She is so brave and such an inspiration. Someone I’d definitely like to hang with.
You are one smart cookie, Claudia. You're living your best life on your own terms. And rocking it. Your van design is awesome. I love your priorities. Clothes, shoes, music. Sigh. I'm sad you have to defend your safety. Shouldn't be but you're right, it's true.
Thanks for the support! And acknowledging my lived experience. It means a lot.
your van is AWESOME!!! so many great ideas!! I'm working with my bro-in-law to build out my GIFT and hope to travel abit soon. you mentioned allot of safety concerns I really didn't consider...... wow. in 2021...... as a professional Black woman you've really given me pause....
perhaps when I hit the road we can tailgate! do you travel with others/vans occasionally? esp through the South for safety purposes?
best of luck and blessings of safety .
T
Claudia you really are an amazing person. I'm sorry you have to deal with harassment and racism. Stay safe my dear.
@@nursehair5252 thank you! No I find it very tedious to travel with others ( unless meeting up at a festival) and don't necessarily consider it "safer" unless you're out in a secluded spot in nature. In an urban environment the more of you there are the less safe you are because you draw attention to yourselves. The "South" is not the area of the country that you should be particularly concerned about. Ignorance and the myth of white supremacy is peppered all throughout these United States in my experience. It’s not at all exclusive to the South. Just keep your wits about you.
@@aliciastanley5582 thank you!
DamN Girl, this little van is bloody fantastic, and you even have an oven, that shower cupboard is the best ive ever seen, and i'm addicted to looking at vans ect, i've seen 100's haha. OK you don't have alot of room to move, but it suits for you. The only thing different i would have is my cupboards would be full of craft supplies and not alot of clothes and shoes... Be proud of yourself this van is a bloody ripper :) If i ever could do this, YOUR'S is the van i would say copy please ...
Wow! Thank you! Yes craft storage would be awesome!
I appreciate you didn’t sugar coat van life for black female, you go girl you are encouraging.
💯
I am really glad to hear her experiences as a Black female solo vanlifer. I don’t see a lot of people that look like me in these videos, so I am always curious to know what things may be like when I eventually get out there. I know there are certain areas I can’t stop in even for gas. I have already experienced that just taking trips in my car. It is really good to see someone speaking about their experiences as a Black vanlifer.
She looks like you because you have the same skin color?
The build is ingenious and the owner is genuine. Perfect combination
Thank you!
This design is exactly what I want when I get a van to start my van life journey! FINALLY!! I wasn’t seeing anything like this to help accommodate for a full wardrobe and bathroom essentials. The only thing I would changer is getting a bigger fridge, but I understand her reasoning for why she stuck with a smaller one that requires less voltage. This is just so intelligently designed. I love it!
Great job showcasing an amazing well- thought out design featuring a woman of color. Most of these videos on YT help educate people on van-life. Love how this one also educates the differences experienced by black van-lifers, and others that are not typically well-known.
Love her vibrant personality too!!
Honored and happy to share! ❤️
Thank you for watching and for being open to learning about someone else's life experiences!
You are so much of an inspiration, and you can feel your kindness. As a black women with 74 years of being a free spirit, I think I would have been doing the same thing when I was younger. Stay safe, and be blessed
Thank you so much! It's never to late; you can still do it! Many of the women I meet on the road are your age!
I so appreciate how thoughtful and concise you are with your tour. You manage to be warm, informative and humorous without showing every single screw and why you chose it lol! I appreciate you, and your closet!
I'm so glad I watched this video. Claudia has such a creative and inspiring van build and philosophy! She really thought about who she is and what she needed from her design and then built it herself... you go girl! I think a lot of first-time vanlifers make the mistake of building a more common build that you see in videos and then realizing it doesn't work for them. I love to see the really unique builds that suit the owners perfectly. Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much for watching!
This is the only design that I have felt I could actually enjoy living in. You are a genius at space design!
Thank you! I tried to plan for as many different scenarios as possible !
Truly genius
I have watched soooo many vanlife/bus life videos and this one by far is my absolute favorite! The insight given is priceless! Love the breakdown of priorities, the incorporation of self care in van life, and the insight of overcoming the challenges faced by being a black woman solo traveler in a van. Big shout out to Claudia for a vanlife tour well done! Thank you 😊
Thank you so much for watching!
Love how much she was able to incorporate into this build. She is clearly very talented designer. 👏
Thank you! You can see more of my design work at claudiambconsulting.com/space-design-gallery
That is the nicest van I have ever seen.I love how much space she has and all that storage.I really love her closet.It's nice to know you can travel in a van and have all the comforts of home and not be a minamilist.I like her fridge too-it's not super tiny.Her bed is awesome too.I love everything about this van.
Thank you! Definitely NOT a minimalist, lol, but still have much less than people on 2500sqft homes. It's all about "right-sizing" your space to fit all of your needs and *some* of your wants too! Like Goldilocks!
I’ve never commented directly to someone before…
But I’m impressed by you, Claudia.
I love your soothing voice, confidence, intelligence and style.
I hope you continue to thrive, and I hope you have joy and peace.
Thank you, Jacqui!
Wow. A Creater, Designer, Musician, Black Business Woman, Explorer, and Nomad. What else can I say about such a humble soul... YOU Rock‼️🌼☺️
Thank you! ☺
Sis-you ROCK!! This is by far one of the most inspiring van life videos I have watched and I have seen plenty! As a Latinx woman, I resonate with some of your challenges and your perspective/insights are head on! Love your spirit, journey and your impeccable van! ♥️♥️ so glad to have “met” you via this channel! Carpe Diem, blessings upon you always my dear sister, you are amazing!!
Thank you! I know you can understand where I'm coming from eventhough our experiences aren't exactly the same. Being a POC in the USA can be quite challenging, but nevertheless we persist . Glad that you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
This was one of the BEST tiny home vids ever! Packed full of intelligent info and insights, creative design ideas, realistic thought processes and inspiration! I especially love the part about "safe" traveling and "black awareness." Priceless! Important! THANK you! I feel inspired to solo journey because of your share. This realistic, honest and true to life video has made me a believer that I too can DO this! Claudia, you are Phenomenal in EVERY way. Just a Beautiful, Bold, Genius (!) Black Woman inside and out!
🙏🏾💖
Also we don’t get invited to all of the tiny home communities like others or when we try to find parking it’s yes over the phone but once they see us it’s all of a sudden No!! Please keep posting our community maybe someday people will at least welcome us into the Tiny Home community
I'm so sorry this has been your experience.
Oh it’s okay Madison we are use to it but hopefully this will open some eyes , there are some great stories of black people on Tiny Home Tours as well I love Chris over there as well because he listens!!
Thank you for the support!! Real talk. We just have to take more time to vet out the right people and find our tribe. See you on the road!
It’s great everyone can find their own communities-where they feel comfortable.
stop whining and do it yourself!
Claudia, thank you for being authentic and transparent and using this platform to empower us to pursue this lifestyle while also speaking the truth about the realities of being Black in america (wether in a van or not).
In regards to the van…
The storage, the full closet, the place for her piano, the beautiful decor…amazing! #BlackGirlMagic
OMG…she just pulled her bed down…such a powerful reminder to me that “we get out of life what we have the courage to ask for.” -Oprah Winfrey
I love Claudia's energy, honesty and creativity! I'm obsessed with tiny homes and mobile living and I hope to experience it at some point in my life. I would love to meet this woman and just hang out/ have a long conversation. Wishing great success for her for years to come. (In my mind, she's already successful. I just pray she stays safe & the success continues.)
FINALLY..FINALLY...A fantastic, artistic, overly organized, and with all the ammenities VAN!!!
Oh my gosh...Finally, a van with lots of artwork on the walls and doors..that's fantastic and just how I would do it.
And I love the space planning and the organizational skills that you used to make this van an organizers' dream.
Love it..love it.
This is a wonderful life that you have created for yourself..
May your travels be blessed and the Angel's watch over you..
Shame on the lookers, haters and all the rest of these types of people.
You just keep going on with your business and leave them to God!
Blessings of gratitude and prosperity for you!! Love it...
I love this design. It doesn't look like a variation of so many others. This reflects your own personhood.
"The sky is always beautiful" loved that.
Isn't it though?! Sometimes I just look up and feel so grateful to be a small part of this big universe. Thanks so much for watching !
Hey young lady you are the best I have seen out there so I am 83yrs and just love watching you guys enjoy and stay safe GBU
Her voice and her attitude on how she lives her life is so uplifting and downright beautiful. I love her spunk, the way she decorated her van and her braids. She is so beautiful in every way. Stay safe in your travels beautiful Queen. I'm so happy you followed your dreams and you're living free. I love it. ❤
Thank you for your kind words! You can listen to more of my voiceover work at claudiambconsulting.com/voice
@@rolling_resilience thank you Claudia, I'm looking forward to it. Have a great day and please stay safe out there. Some people can be all kinds of evil. It would break my heart to know that something happened to you. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. ❤
Absolutely phenomenal!! When she whipped that keyboard out I cried! I just love this for her. Yes, Queen!!
Thank you!
Thanks for this interview, love the fact that this woman was allowed to share the truth about being black on the road and the precautions that's needed peculiar to us.
Absolutely love her energy! The van is gorgeous, the space is perfect.
The reality that she talks about as a Black woman living the van life is really good to know. May she be protected fully wherever she goes.
Legendary stuff right there. 🙏🏾🤗🤩
I love Claudia's spirit! I love this video. She addressed everything I wanted to know, especially about the potential for racial bias. I notice a lot of tiny home channels don't feature a lot of people of color.
Thank you for posting video - even the uncomfortable parts. It will prove invaluable to Black people entering the tiny home community.❤❤
Thank you! Happy to shed some light on vanlife!. Please keep in mind that you DON'T have to spend all of your time in Walmart parking lots. It's really about what your budget and lifestyle allows. You could easily choose to pay to stay in RV parks ( depending on the specific vehicle you have) and just travel from luxury park to park and campgrounds. You can also camp and spread out for weeks at a time in National Forests or BLM land. Walmart are just super convenient if you're stopping for a night in a small town, or spend a lot of time in big cities. YOU decide where you want to spend the majority of your time as well as if you need constant cell/ internet access and move accordingly. Check out Robin with Creativity RV here on YT to get an idea of ways to live out in nature in a luxury RV
@@rolling_resilience i didn't think it was possible but you just got more awesome. Subscribing to your IG now 🙂.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment ❤️ we strive to showcase the wonderful diversity of tiny dwellers out there to show folks the reality that some different people come together of some shared values, and to hopefully contribute to a welcoming community environment.
What an incredible van build! Also, love her personality and drive to do what's best for her. I hope our paths cross someday on the road. :) It really does stink that being a black, female solo vanlifer comes with challenges like the ones she mentioned but we have to keep it moving for our own welfare and peace of mind. Thanks for sharing her tiny home and story!
Thank you so much for watching! We do what we *must* to be able to do what we *want*.
This is the best van life video I've ever seen. She not only speaks about what she's created in her van but she also educates, encourages, advice and added humour to it and she has a lovely voice. I was against van life but seeing the things done here which I can totally relate to & it has released an exciting bubble to want to design one too. Wow awesome van home, awesome ideas, awesome personality, awesome voice and interesting information. Absolutely enjoyed it.
From the tiny island of Suva, Fiji.
I've always wanted to go to Fiji! Thank you so much for watching! When I first started watching vanlife videos, I felt the same way. I thought it would be too small and too hard and that I would have to give up too much. Then I kept researching and started playing around with designs and realized that I could have it all!
You can hear more of my voiceover work at claudiambconsulting.com/voice
that fold down murphy bed is genius! i did not see that coming! I appreciate her sharing her hacks as well as challenges as a black woman on the road in America. One thing that caught me when she said, "it's not the van, it's me..." I would invite a reframe...it's not because of *you* it's because of them... because, racism.... that shifts the onus of responsibility to the perpetrators not the person just trying to live their best life!
This lady is a total person In every way. I love her build out van. As a female Rver I would consider having her as a friend an honor . Travel on and happy trails .
She has her cake and gets to eat it too!!! I love it! You didn't give up anything, you brought everything that matters to you! Thanks, I am inspired!!!
I wish I could click 'like' a thousand times. What a talented individual & true inspiration she is. I've been manifesting this lifestyle since before the pandemic struck us. Then like many, I became paralyzed with fear because of all of the uncertainty. Now I'm regretting because it's become more challenging to get a van. 🙏🏼I'm praying I get mine by Sept so that I can build it out in 3 mo's & be on the road by the new year. As a Latina of color, I totally understand where's she's coming from. I've been trying to get my good friend who is black to also get a van & join me. But he's not open to it due to the reasons she spoke of. I totally get it but I'm going to show him this video & see if he gets inspired.
Thank you so much! Yes, it is tough now to get a van, but keep searching and try not to be tooooo picky as there is no such thing as a "perfect van". As far as the build is concerned, 3 months is a VERY tight schedule if you're doing it yourself- especially if you've never done it before. If you're doing something VERY simple with no plumbing and a battery charger instead of a full electrical system then it can be done in 3 months with full time work. If its anything more complicated, plan for 6 months as sometimes sourcing build materials can be the most time consuming part! Good luck and I'll see you on the road!
@@rolling_resilience Your intelligence is very valuable!
@@rolling_resilience Hey there, thanx 4 the response & words of encouragement. Fortunately, I will have both my brother & brother in law helping me with the build so hopefully we can get it done by end of Dec. I'm so ready to hit the road that I'll most likely be taking a few road trips once the foundation is done, Lol... Can always build along the way. Almost got a van yesterday but someone beat me to the punch, I'll be looking at two more this week. Fingers crossed! Btw, I have the same mini iron & I love that little thing!
Also I love her voice! Very clear and crisp I can tell that she put in work with those vocals!
Thank you! I'm a classically trained vocalist 😁 www.claudiambconsulting.com/voice
This is only the 5th Black person I've seen in stealth camping/van/bus life. I loved seeing my biggest concern highlighted: the SHOES. I needed to know it could be done! Taking her whole closet and shoving it in there was also satisfying lol. But seriously it is amazing to hear an unaltered version of what Black women in van/bus etc life have to be mindful of. Part of it is def because shes a single traveling woman too. Because Black couples don't deal with the same biases. Thankyou Tiny House Expidition for sharing her story without editing out the hard to hear parts. She is so fly, elegant & I just want to be her friend. I love to see it!
A piano in a van?! Your beautiful van build has inspired me all over again. I love your big shower, your split murphy bed, and all your brilliant storage solutions!
Your thoughts on van life as self care are very insightful. Not only is your van an inspiration, you are too. If you ever want to experience some NW Minnesota prairie life, it would be our honor to host you up north!
Wow thank you!
Claudia, you are a gem! You’re an amazing designer. I’ve not seen that Murphy bed design on any other videos yet, and your storage is spot on. I’m sorry about the extra precautions you need to take. I wish the world was different. You tell your story incredibly well, so I subscribed to your channel in the event you continue telling your story via videos. I hope you consider that, as I’ve seen it positively impact other people's established businesses, and I think you’ve got stories to tell.
Thanks for watching ! I'm keeping my stories on Instagram for now, but who knows what the future may hold?🤷🏾♀️ I'm glad I gave some bed and storage ideas ! I've seen Murphy beds in other builds, but the usually take up entire walls and leave no room for upper cabinets on one side. I wanted uppers on both AND full seating, so that is what I came up with. All I had to do was figure out how to build it using only batter operated tools and do so quietly in public spaces as I travel. Thanks for your support !
The world can be different if you choose not to stay silent about what you see/know.
Wow Just wow 😍 her playing the piano made my eyes tear … my late husband use to play … her speaking on being black solo traveling is so accurate & on point . Praying her safety always … this is just phenomenal. I use to be homeless as a teenager… I would have loved to have this 25 yrs ago lol … I just love this on so many levels
I was immediately mesmerized by her beautiful rich voice 😍 okay ... now onto the tour!
Thank you! I'm a classically trained vocalist 😁😉 📻🎙🗣www.claudiambconsulting.com/voice
Claudia has an amazing voice. Her voice is so soothing. Just got to the part of the video where she said she does voice overs and vocal coaching...I knew it!
😊🎤🎶 Thank you!
This is one of the first VAN builds I've seen with a shower! And the full kitchen and even a lil office space... this is an amazing layout, I love it!
This is the most INCREDIBLE build I've seen in years!!! Absolutely brilliant! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you Ali!
Amazing home and amazing woman ! Yes racism is learnt behavior that is further ingrained by discriminatory and racist systems and structures that embolden this behavior. Thankyou for sharing your story Claudia and good luck , you smart talented woman! 👍
Thank you Joanne!
Fabulest van build ever. That area rug really ties the setup together.
Oh my, your a lovely warm soul. I love art and would if I could, do the same as you. I am so sorry you have to go through life worrying about peoples perceptions. That part made me cry. God bless you and stay safe.
Thank you I will!😁
Claudia you're not just a builder - *You're a MASTER BUILDER!*
Hands down the best tiny home I've seen so far *single-handedly* created by a Beautiful Soul. Well done Sis! 💗💗💗💗💗
This is so amazing my lovely lady I love seeing black Queens doing the Van life you are such a amazing lady. I love the layout you love the brick on the wall, closet, and the skylight Thank you for sharing ❤️👏🏼🙏🎉😘🥰
From Australia I found you very inspiring but I felt so sad that even now, judgement and discrimination is so profound. I know it exists in every country sadly but your determination and bravery is something to be looked up to. 💜
You are so sweet. Thank you for your support !
If you're in this world and breathing while black you've had to deal with this bs all of your life...
I've been playing this video on repeat since I found it. Only been binge watching van life and black van life for 3 weeks now and my mind is spinning with so much inspiration.
This right here.... is EXACTLY the layout I've been thinking about...right down to the Murphy bed (what a genius idea to split it!) and a skylight instead of windows. Luuuuv the emphasis on storage. I'd give up a few clothes for fiber and metal craft tools & supplies, maybe a larger fridge but totally understand the power tradeoff. And you brought your piano....🤯🥳👏👏you gave me the idea how to bring mine along too. Respect! I also deeply appreciate your insights on traveling as a solo black woman. I'm taking notes from you and other melanated sisters on YT.
Stay fancy, Claudia! Blessings and best wishes for safe travels from a fellow decaffeinated Atlanta dweller 😄 hope to meet you on the road someday.
Thank you for your kind words! Glad that I could inspire you to take the next steps on your vanlife adventure! Thanks for watching.
Beautiful woman in a beautiful van. She's the vibe I aspire to be. I loved the honesty and creativity and the layout and thought.
If i did social media I'd follow her just to see her journey and growth. Love love love
mannnnnnn when u revealed the bed i was in awe. Beautiful woman beautiful van. thanks for sharing
She definitely spoke to the reason why I'm cautious about doing van life part time because everyone is not going to just let you be being a person of color. However, she is definitely giving me all of the vibes...I want to rent someone's van for like a week to try it out to see it's something that I really see myself doing semi permanently.
Educate, educate, educate!
That is the key.
Love your vehicle/home/studio. You are a beautiful, smart, sophisticated lady.
Great tour. Thank you.
I wanted to say this is the most beautiful functional van I have seen. You are a very creative young lady.
Thanks so much, Keith!
Smart lady! I love her van. Hope she has a wonderful life.
That is like thee best use of space that I have ever seen on any van camper. How ingenious!
This van build is AMAZING!!!! It hits literally all the wants on my list (if I finally do decide to get a van 😂) I really appreciate her honesty about her experiences. Great video!!!
Thanks for watching!
Gurl, you’re a bad mamajama!!!! Luv your swagger!!!💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 If ever I had a van, I would want it to be just like yours. Original, functional, yet stunning!
I love how she put thought into the build to make it work exactly with her needs and priorities.
Your van = your way! Thank you 😊!
So inspiring to see how Claudia has focussed on her own priorities and created amazing storage!