Meet Christina & Daniel
The Founders
Meet Christina & Daniel
Christina and Daniel are a married couple and the founders of Small Vans Big World. Based in Valparaiso, Indiana, about an hour from Chicago, they share a passion for traveling and exploring the world. In 2019, they set their minds on converting their first van — after months of research and planning, they bought a 2019 Ford Transit and turned it into a tiny home on wheels. That first build took about three months, driven by their love of sustainability and self-sufficiency. Now, with their van filled with water, food, and gas, they have the freedom to go wherever they want — an off-grid home on wheels.
Design & Build
More About Daniel
Daniel completed his bachelor's degree in architecture in 2016, giving him the experience and knowledge to create precise, detailed drawings and renderings of every project. He also brings years of hands-on construction experience — framing, electrical, plumbing, and more — and started his own construction business in 2017. Since then, he's completed countless renovations, remodels, and repairs, and is an expert in his field. Daniel is particular when it comes to design and build: he believes every design should have a purpose, and he only uses quality products and materials built to last. You can trust him to guide you through the entire van build process, from conceptual design to the final product.
Creative Direction
More About Christina
Christina is passionate about anything creative — she thrives on bringing elements together to build a beautiful space, with close attention to detail, design, and color. While she loves making things aesthetically pleasing, functionality always comes first. The way we like to put it: Christina has the vision, and Daniel builds it. She's very hands-on throughout the build, taking charge of painting and lending Daniel a hand wherever needed, and she works closely with every client from start to finish — building a mood board to bring their vision to life and keeping them updated the whole way through.
Our Mission
Van life should feel possible, even if building a van yourself doesn’t.
Many people are drawn to van life because of the freedom and possibilities it offers. It gives you the ability to travel farther, stay longer, and experience more while bringing some of the comforts of home along for the journey. But turning an empty van into a thoughtfully designed, functional living space is a big undertaking. From planning the layout and choosing materials to navigating electrical systems, plumbing, storage, and all the details in between, it can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s where we come in.
At Small Vans Big World, we take the complexity out of the build process while keeping you involved in the decisions that make your van yours. We believe a custom van should be designed around the person using it, not the other way around. How you travel, where you want to go, what you want to bring with you, and what makes you comfortable on the road all shape the way we approach your build.
In a van, every inch matters. We thoughtfully consider how each area can serve a purpose, incorporating smart storage, multifunctional features, and carefully planned layouts that make the most of the space available. Whether we’re working with a compact camper or a larger van, our approach is the same: use the space intentionally, include what matters most, and make it work beautifully.
Throughout the process, we work with you to turn your ideas and inspiration into a cohesive design that is functional, intentional, and uniquely yours. From the overall layout to cabinetry, materials, colors, systems, and finishing details, every decision comes together to create a van designed around the way you want to experience life on the road.
The result is more than a converted van. It’s a thoughtfully crafted, custom-built space made for your version of van life.