Meet Arya Mazanek | CEO & Founder of Wilderwise Homes

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arya Mazanek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arya, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Wilderwise designs and builds two-story, modular, lightweight, off-grid capable tiny homes on wheels. Our vision is to create a cleaner planet and a brighter future for its people. With Wilderwise, we want to make home ownership accessible to the masses, not only to the rich; we want to spur an evolution in the way people live, responsibly and in stewardship to the planet; we want people to have the means to personal and financial freedom so that they can reach their full potential. Made possible by the home’s high-tech and sustainable features, affordable cost, and easy portability, this vision is what keeps our team going each and every day.

We believe that tiny houses can be the catalyst for an evolution in the way people live their lives. Choosing to go tiny is making a lifestyle choice to be independent, debt-free, mortgage-free, and unbound by the all the “stuff” that gets in the way of pursuing our own individual dreams of a life worth living.

By going tiny, people give themselves the opportunity to hone in on what is truly important to them. With a smaller space, there’s less room for stuff and fluff – not only on a physical level, but mentally and emotionally as well. Reducing costs helps relieve stress and opens up new pathways for new hobbies, passions, and projects. Having the ability to travel means greater flexibility and more opportunity to grow, learn about culture, and expand the mind and heart. Going tiny can also bring one closer to their community and loved ones. We want to help people build stronger relationships with like-minded individuals who are committed to impacting the planet and each other in grand and wonderful ways.

I envision a world where tiny houses are the norm. This future is brighter, cleaner, and led by stewards of the earth and its people! Wilderwise’s product offering is the catalyst for making this dream a reality. Our intelligently-designed portable home grows with you over time, supports pure and minimal living, and may not require a 30-year mortgage! We believe that this alternative housing solution can support the home owner to live a meaningful life in alignment with their values. This is the true foundation for everything we do at Wilderwise.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am so proud of my company and how it has grown in the last 5 years. Nothing was easy along the way! Our growing team had limited funds and resources, yet a highly ambitious vision for what we could do for the world. The concept behind Wilderwise was born when we identified a widening gap in the housing and RV markets. We were shocked at the obvious shortcomings in housing laws and saddened by the growing disparities in wealth. We envisioned our tiny house product to fill these gaps by providing an affordable, alternative housing solution.

However, shifting the housing market is no simple feat! There are extensive regulations and barriers that make positive change seem impossible. When the obstacles seemed insurmountable, the only thing that kept us going was a deep passion for the better tomorrow that we envisioned from day one. Each of us had our own experiences with housing pains – from foreclosures, to raising rents, and everything in between. We had great empathy for people living in the streets, families torn apart because of forced relocation, and friends living paycheck to paycheck. I was stuck in my own rental cycle and yearned for way to break free. The struggle of starting a company from nothing paled in comparison to the hardships we witnessed and experienced on a near daily basis. Something had to be done. And so we did.

At each obstacle we faced – from supply chain woes to restrictive housing laws, stolen money from vendor dishonesty, and a global pandemic – we only persevered because of our company culture, strong sense of community, and a collective passion for our WHY. Thinking outside of the box, welcoming feedback, and seeing failures as pivot points were some tools we used to overcome obstacles and come out stronger.

Three major lessons I’ve learned in this journey are:
1. The ability to adapt
Without recognizing pivot points and knowing when to adapt and change, we wouldn’t have made it past our first year. It’s easy to be stubborn and insist on being right. However, it takes great maturity and humility to admit when you’re wrong and know when to change course. In business, it’s in these moments that a company defines whether or not it can ebb and flow with the changes in life or if it will become stagnant and die off early. I’ve learned to let go of what I want and align my focus with the grander vision.
2. The importance of work-life harmony
Running a company can be inspiring, but also extremely draining! I’ve worked long hours for 7 days a week, for weeks at a time with no break. I thought I was helping the company, but only later realized I was hurting it. When I don’t take time for myself, I find that my inspiration and passion begins to dwindle. I get sucked into the grind and forget to take care of myself. This is a vicious cycle that inevitably ends in feeling mentally paralyzed, burnt out, and even apathetic. It extinguishes that spark that fuels my productivity and passion. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s just as important to take time for myself when needed, as it is to pour countless hours into emails and spreadsheets. When I fuel my own fire, my drive for success is reignited and my entire life (as a professional and as a human) can synergize and evolve.
3. That my personal value is not intrinsically tied to the success of my company
This is a big one! Sometimes, when you’re so committed to your work, you begin to lose yourself in it. It becomes your top priority. The company’s success or failure begins to parallel deeply with your own success or failure. However, this is crux of the problem. When I start to believe my happiness and value as a person is directly tied to external successes, life becomes so much more difficult to navigate. I’ve learned to find greater confidence in myself by shifting my perspective; by understanding that no matter how well or poorly the company is doing, I am still me and retain my value, no matter what.

The company’s 4 core values are:

1. Innovation – We are committed to bright ideas for a sustainable present and clean future
2. Community – We’ve learned that meaningful connections create a powerful impact
3. Freedom – We believe that personal and financial freedom is a human right
4. Wisdom – We understand the importance of sound judgement, moral choices, and social responsibility.

With a strong vision, groundbreaking product design, and commitment to our values, we are tremendously excited for the next chapter. As the company grows, our community will continue to grow as well. We plan on building intentional communities of “Wilderwisers” to bring people together and make affordable housing available for the masses. We intend to offer charitable work by designing smaller, simpler homes that can be donated to support homeless foundations and displaced people who have lost their homes to natural disasters.

As these dreams become a reality, we will continue to advocate for personal freedom, responsible lifestyle choices, and the appreciation of the wilderness that supports life. In this pursuit of making an impact through the exposure of our homes and our company ideals, we hope to create a movement where like-minded people join together to improve our collective way of life. This is the dream and this is our reality!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I moved to Tucson, AZ in 2020 and have been loving it so far! Some of my favorite places in the city include:
1. Food: El Charro Grill, Boca Taco & Tequila, Luna Pizza, The Parish, Seis Kitchen, and La Chaiteria. One of the best hangouts is at the Annex, a collective of shops and restaurants created out of shipping containers!
2. Drinks: We love to hang out at Borderlands Brewery for live music on Sundays! The beers at Pueblo Vida are top notch. Westbound at the Annex has some amazing pre-batched cocktails!
3. Outdoor Activities: As an avid climber and disc golfer, I love spending time at Rock Solid Climbing Gym and at Santa Cruz River Park disc golf course. 4th street has tons of cute restaurants, bars, and shops to explore! Since I’m always interested in an outdoor adventure, I love visiting Gates Pass, Tanque Verde, or any of the wonderful hikes in Tucson Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park.
4. Art and Culture: Tucson has so many spectacular murals! Walking around downtown will reveal many hidden cultural gems and awe-inspiring art on a grand scale.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so grateful for the unending support from my close family! My mom, dad, and boyfriend have encouraged and contributed to the growth of Wilderwise since the company was founded in 2017. They’ve invested time, money, and resources to ensure that I had everything I needed to succeed.

For instance, my father worked 12-hour days with me to furnish the interior of our show model and make sure the electrical and plumbing systems worked perfectly. My mother is always at the ready to be my consultant, brainstorm buddy, and advisor when tough decisions need to be made. My life partner not only commits himself to helping me maintain a healthy work-life balance, but also supports me financially so I can focus on my company’s growth without worrying about salary from a side job. This never-ending love and support from my family has made it possible for me to succeed in pursuing my dreams!

Website: www.wilderwise.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wilderwisehomes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryamazanek/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/wilderwisehomes

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wilderwisehomes

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WilderwiseHomes

Other: www.startengine.com/wilderwise https://www.linkedin.com/company/wilderwise-homes/