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Meet Auston and Jen Wilson of CoPilot Vans in SoBo

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Auston and Jen Wilson.

Before founding CoPilot Vans, Auston and Jen were both making names for themselves in the adventure and design communities. Together, the dynamic duo has a combined 30+ years of design and craftsman expertise, and get after every adventure sport Colorado has to offer. The two crossed paths in college and the rest is an adventure-filled history. Bitten by the van life bug, Auston and Jen tackled their first van build back in 2013, throwing all in on a 2004 GMC Safari – AKA “Betty.” While “Betty” was a little scant in her creature comforts, it was love at a first campfire.

Auston grew up working with his father in the construction industry, mastering multiple trades, including welding, framing, drywall, cabinetry, and granite fabrication. In 2008, when the construction industry slowed, Auston went back to school, enrolling at the Art Institute of Colorado. After seven successful years as a professional motion designer and 3D animator, Auston began to miss working with his hands and creating lasting products to help improve people’s lives. By combining his construction skills, creative skills, and obsession with vans, Auston began to sow the seeds of starting his next business venture designing custom vans meant to last.

In 2019, Auston and Jen decided to unite their talents officially to create a van conversion company that would fulfill the needs and wants of their like-minded adventurous clients, while simultaneously surpassing their expectations at every turn.

Believing adventures are always better when shared with a copilot – be it with your best friend, kiddo, or a trusty, always enthusiastic, 75-lb Golden Retriever – CoPilot Vans was born. Graduating Cum Laude with a BA in Interior Design, Jen has spent the past ten years specializing in small-space living with a focus on functional design. Heading the design process, she custom tailors every van to the client’s needs, ensuring everything has a home and helps guide clients into the mindset of small-space living.

Has it been a smooth road?
Jen – Throwing all into a business as a couple is scary. We’re very lucky that while creative headbutting may happen from time to time, we’re almost always on the same page and work really well together. But we quickly had to set hard rules of no work talk after hours. It’s very easy to fall into the habit of talking work all the time as a couple, but it’s healthy to separate husband and wife’s life from work life. It makes us better partners in both facets.

Auston – It’s been a roller coaster. At first, we felt great while working on one project at a time but the business owner in me was also thinking about what’s next. Would we have another client after this project? The first few months of the kick-off last year felt scary slow. We were relying heavily on friends and acquaintances to help spread the word about our skills, and, damn, did they really came through for us. We were very fortunate to have such wonderful, like-minded people in our lives. Then after a YouTube video of our personal van tour went unexpectedly viral, we’ve been swamped – in a good way! The video really helped launch awareness about us, which was amazing. We’re currently booked a year out.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We build custom adventure vans for outdoorsy types. We’re here for all van lovers, from those who are ready to have a custom van build done for them to the DIY enthusiasts looking to convert their own van on a dime.

With Auston’s level of craftsmanship and Jen’s specialization in small space living design, we work to help support and educate all van peeps on the best processes and parts to help make their van dreams come true. We spend a LOT of time with our clients upfront to ensure their vans not only look amazing but also function amazingly. If your van looks great, but your bed is a pain to get down and there’s nowhere for your skis and paddleboard, that’s not so awesome.

We focus heavily on gear storage, user needs, and durability. Small space living is a huge life changer if you’re going to do it full time, it can even be a struggle for the weekend warrior. We want people to love their vans for a long time and have shared adventures with their own copilots.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Definitely! Denver is a mecca for van lifers and adventure enthusiasts. It also helps that it is a highly desired city to travel to. Some of our clients haven’t been local, but they were happy to travel here to pick up their vans and start their adventures in the Rocky Mountains.

It is important to add, though. There are way more van builders in the area than there were even two years ago. The industry is still growing, but the market is showing signs of becoming oversaturated very quickly. Companies that would be hugely beneficial would be fabricators who make van specific goods. The UK has a huge market for van-life products like latches, fridges, beds, and certified secondary seats, but it’s hard to find suppliers in the US.

Pricing:

  • We are always happy to work hourly with the DIYers to install windows, solar panels, heaters or seats for example at $75/hour.
  • Custom builds can range from $30K – $40K depending on the clients needs and product selection. Contact us for a custom quote.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
CoPilot Vans

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