Is it possible to weave sustainable practices into a lucrative business model? We interviewed Stormont Mahoney, ‘15, who is the co-founder of SHIP’D along with his business partner, Evan York. Their company, which they started in 2017, has a simple yet powerful solution to “glamping” (glamorous + camping) in Asheville, North Carolina. The company takes 100 percent recycled shipping containers and creates modern shipping container homes at an affordable price. These homes combine modern urbanization with the rugged outdoors. We wanted to find out how they do it. Here’s what Mahoney told us:
Q1: How did your company come to be?
Evan and I met in the summer of 2015, where we were randomly paired as roommates in Charlotte, North Carolina during our respective internships. We have been best friends since and knew we wanted to start a business together. We juggled a few ideas until Evan mentioned the subtle rise of the tiny homes movement in certain communities. While tiny homes are fairly common across the U.S., we found that people were usually developing them as personal sustainability projects. No company we know of is facilitating the growth of the tiny homes movement on a national scale, and bringing sustainable, luxurious, tiny home rentals to vacation destinations.
Earlier this year, we decided to become business partners with our first launch, SHIP’D. Evan brings knowledge and experience with business operations, while I lead the sales and marketing charge. Our flagship location is set for Asheville, North Carolina, where we expect a grand opening of two shipping containers in the summer of 2018. Once the fully furnished shipping containers are available, people can discover the true meaning of “glamping” and explore the surrounding, local Asheville attractions.
Q2: What is the mission of your company?
The mission of SHIP’D is to drive growth and awareness for the tiny homes movement. We want to build the largest network of 100 percent recycled, “tiny” shipping container homes and make them available for rent through Airbnb.
Q3: What’s the secret to your success?
Evan and I carry the strongest conviction that this venture will succeed. At the same time, we’ve opened ourselves up to feedback from friends and family alike, who have been instrumental to the success of this project thus far.
Q4: How are you different from other similar companies?
As far as we know, we’re one of the early companies in this tiny homes movement segment of shipping container rentals. Other individuals have built their own shipping container homes, but none with plans to scale like we do.
Q5: What’s next for your company? 
We are now focusing on the actual build of our two shipping containers in Asheville, North Carolina. We have plans to hire contractors and break ground starting in early 2018, with hopes to finish by the summer of 2018. Once we are finished, we will begin renting to the public and to the generous individuals who contributed to our Indiegogo campaign.
We encourage everyone to follow our journey through our social media pages, where we will be documenting our experiences:
Q6: How did your Lehigh education help or inspire you?
Lehigh exposed me to lessons in sustainability. I met a lot of friends who had been involved in sustainability trips and clubs, including SustainabLEHIGH and Engineers Without Borders. Hearing about their experiences planted a seed in my mind to start my own project in the future; SHIP’D has become the fruit of that seed. In addition, my tenure through the Integrated Business & Engineering program provided me with the entrepreneurial framework to assess market needs and identify a viable business solution. People are excited about this idea and so are we. We can’t wait to help everyone share in the growth of the tiny homes movement!
Q7: What’s your advice for current Lehigh students?
Positivity wins, always - be the most positive person in the room, wherever you go!
There are many models of success for turning sustainability into a viable career. Mahoney and York have a solid plan and are on track and determined to succeed. SHIP’D will soon be one example among many that shows it is possible to achieve success and make a difference, all while staying passionate. Stay tuned as SHIP’D breaks ground in early 2018!