Colin Mooney
“Set a goal for the vision of your life in five years and then reverse engineer that goal.”
House Builder, Portland, Oregon
It’s easy to look at this book and get sucked into some of the paths people have gone down, especially some of the creative pursuits. One of the things that in certain parts of the world has potentially been lost is the development of more traditional trades like plumbers, electricians and construction workers. This seems pretty ironic as you call one and you think, ‘damn, wish I was an electrician. Look how much I’m paying them.’ Colin has been building houses for a few years now and is a project manager within that space. He’s recently built a project specific for getaways, a treehouse. I’ve watched longingly through Instagram and been super inspired by what he has created by following his own and very unique path.
Jon Weaver: So, I see your projects online, what’s your current role?
Colin Mooney: My current role is two prong: By day, I am a project manager for new home construction, and I am in the process of starting my own construction company. My side hustle is managing a treehouse and tiny house rental business that my wife and I just launched. It was our dream to build the ultimate weekend getaway experience in the mountains and forest. We hope that one day this could be our full-time job - building and managing unique lodging experiences.
What were some of the first jobs you had?
My first two or three jobs included working as a bar-back at a brewery, all kinds of home maintenance and renovation projects for construction contractors, and in college I worked for the forest service doing trail building in wilderness areas in Colorado and Wyoming.
Did you go to college?
I did study, but I barely graduated high school (in Ohio), and then I went to a community college in Steamboat Springs Colorado. Eventually transferred to Arizona State University where I finished my undergraduate degree.
What would you tell yourself as a teenager?
I would tell my teenage self not to worry about the future. Focus on what you like to do and get better at it. Try not get caught up in what other people think or what everyone else is doing. Whatever it is you’re going to do, commit 100%. Try to find that sweet spot where you can continue to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone, but without taking it too far. This is where you can thrive.
For any budding treehouse builders out there what would you recommend?
Something I would recommend for people who want to do what I do, or learn any skill or trade for that matter is to:
1. Find someone who does what you want to do really well and find a way to learn from them - even if you have to volunteer your time. I think having a mentor and people around you that can support, guide and challenge you is super important.
2. Set a goal for the vision of your life in 5 years and then reverse engineer that goal. Figure out how to break down your goal into smaller goals and you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish in that time if you stay focused. The scope may change as you go but having those goals in place will help take you where you need to go.
Did you always think this was going to be the path you would go down?
My favorite thing to do as a kid was to be outside exploring. Growing up in the suburbs my parents got me into playing soccer full time, but I was always skateboarding and biking when I was not playing soccer. They always put me to work me on projects they had going on with renovations and maintenance on rental properties. Most of the time I did not want to take on these projects, but usually ended up enjoying the work and seeing what we accomplished. On the weekends we would go to a wooded property my parents purchased in the country. This is where I had some of my best memories camping with friends and working and playing in the woods. All this definitely translated into what I do now… managing construction and building unique lodging experiences for people to have outside. This is what helped shape me growing up, and I am stoked to be able to create similar experiences for others.
So what’s next for you in this space?
We currently have 16 acres on the property where the treehouse is now with a few other very good locations for additional treehouses. However, we may also get into red tape if we want to build more than one or two treehouses. We currently don't own any other properties besides our home in Portland, which is also on Airbnb when we travel. The vision could move to finding another property that more easily meets the requirements for commercial operation or continue to seek out other unique properties and just build one rental experience at a time per property. I love the idea of doing a beach house/treehouse, or a desert house/treehouse, but logistics are challenging depending on the demands of the day job and where the next property would be. One step at a time!
