Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eric Hawkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Eric , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The History: Cape Charles and a Second Chance
Cape Charles was always more than just a picturesque coastal town; it was a place that captured our hearts from the first visit in 1997. Its shallow beaches, stunning sunsets, and tranquil pace of life felt like an oasis. For years, we returned to Cape Charles as visitors, always enchanted by its charm. My wife often urged us to invest in one of the old, weathered homes that lined the streets. “We should buy a house here,” she’d say. But I let fear disguise itself as logic and held back.
The houses needed too much work, and I convinced myself it wasn’t worth the risk. What I didn’t realize at the time was that this fear was costing us an opportunity to build something meaningful. Years later, in 2021, God, in His infinite grace, gave us a second chance. This time, with faith and determination, we were ready to listen to His guiding hand.
Why We Went Tiny
Before this second chance arrived, we took another leap of faith—one that changed the trajectory of our lives. In or around 2010, we moved out of our 3,000-square-foot home and rented it to long-term tenants. With most of our possessions shed, we moved into a travel trailer to embrace a simpler, more intentional way of living. Tiny living wasn’t just a lifestyle shift; it was a spiritual and emotional reset.
By living with less, we discovered so much more: more time to connect as a family, more clarity about our goals, and more freedom to pursue the life God was calling us to live. This clarity would become the foundation for what came next.
It was in 2017 that Airbnb entered our picture—not just as a traveler’s experience, but from the hosting side as well. Our daughter introduced us to the platform, and we were fascinated by the idea of short-term rentals. When the lease for our long-term tenant in the big house ended, we decided to try something new: listing our home on Airbnb.
That single decision in 2017 sparked a journey that would change everything. From that first listing, we went on to start and manage 19 Airbnb short-term rental listings between 2017 and 2021. Each listing taught us invaluable lessons about hosting, managing, and creating spaces that people love. Those years gave us the expertise and confidence to dream even bigger.
Finding the Property
When we stumbled upon the property that would become Cape Charles Tiny Livin, it wasn’t part of any planned route. One day, while exploring the Eastern Shore of Virginia, we decided to take a right instead of heading into town. Not even a quarter-mile down the road, my wife shouted, “Stop!” Confused, I slowed down as she pointed to my left, her voice rising with excitement, “Look!”
There it was: a cluster of tiny homes hidden beneath overgrown trees and bushes, looking like something straight out of a horror movie. The land was wild and unkempt, the homes broken and abandoned. It was a mess of weeds, broken windows, and sagging roofs. My instinct said “no way,” but my wife, with an enthusiasm that couldn’t be contained, exclaimed, “Baby, this is it! This is it!”
She pulled out our vision board—a small version we kept tucked under the visor in our RV. One of the images on it was of a tiny house village, complete with outdoor spaces and a fire pit. Suddenly, what had seemed impossible began to feel like divine timing.
The Power of a Vision Board
Our vision board, created during our time in the travel trailer, wasn’t just a collection of pictures. It was a visual prayer, a way of aligning our goals with God’s purpose for our lives. As we stood on that overgrown property, we didn’t see decay; we saw potential. We didn’t see chaos; we saw confirmation that this was where we were meant to be.
The vision board didn’t just give us clarity—it gave us courage. It reminded us that when you align your goals with God’s will and visualize them with faith, the seemingly impossible becomes possible.
The Birth of Cape Charles Tiny Livin
From that moment, the idea of Cape Charles Tiny Livin began to take shape. Drawing on our years of experience with Airbnb, we saw an opportunity to create something unique: a place where people could “try on” the tiny living lifestyle through short-term rentals. It would be more than a business; it would be an experience, a space where people could reconnect with what matters most and dream bigger for their own lives.
We knew there was a gap in the tiny house movement. Many were curious but unsure if tiny living was right for them. Cape Charles Tiny Livin would be their answer—a historic tiny house village where curiosity and inspiration could thrive.
Turning Vision Into Reality
Transforming the property was no easy feat. It was physically demanding, emotionally taxing, and spiritually stretching. There were moments of doubt, but every time we looked at the vision board, we were reminded of the bigger picture.
Today, Cape Charles Tiny Livin is more than a collection of tiny homes; it’s a testament to the power of faith, vision, and perseverance. Guests arrive seeking answers and leave with inspiration. They’ve not just seen tiny living—they’ve experienced it.
For us, it’s proof of what happens when you trust God’s plan, focus your goals, and take action. Cape Charles Tiny Livin isn’t just a business; it’s the result of a leap of faith and a vision brought to life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Eric Hawkins, and I’m passionate about helping people unlock their version of freedom through tiny living, short-term rentals, and intentional life design. My journey began when I transitioned from a traditional lifestyle—living in a 3,000-square-foot home—to embracing a simpler, more fulfilling way of living in a travel trailer, then short-term rentals, and eventually owning a tiny house hotel. Today, I’m a coach, entrepreneur, and speaker, dedicated to sharing the lessons I’ve learned with others.
How I Got Into This Industry
I didn’t start out in tiny living or short-term rentals—I was an HVAC contractor running my own business and living a conventional life. But something was missing. Over time, I realized the traditional path wasn’t bringing me or my family the freedom we craved. That realization pushed us to downsize, simplify, and take a leap of faith into the unknown.
That leap led to the creation of 19 airbnb listings before creating Cape Charles Tiny Livin, the oldest tiny house village in America, where we offer unique short-term rental experiences. Along the way, I discovered how powerful tiny living and short-term rentals can be for creating financial freedom, inspiring creativity, and building the life you’ve always wanted.
What I Offer
I provide a range of tools to help people break free from limiting lifestyles:
Books: I am currently writing about topics like fear, living intentionally, and marriage—exploring how to overcome obstacles and pursue a more abundant life.
Masterclasses & Webinars: I teach practical strategies for leveraging short-term rentals to generate income and achieve personal freedom. My LEAPS Accelerator program, for example, helps individuals quickly transition into short-term rental success.
Speaking Engagements: I share my story and insights at events, inspiring audiences to take action toward their dreams.
Tiny Living Expertise: Through Cape Charles Tiny Livin, I offer people a firsthand look at how tiny homes can transform their lives.
Problems I Solve
I help people who feel stuck—those who want more income, more freedom, or a simpler, more fulfilling life but don’t know where to start. Whether it’s teaching someone how to turn a spare room into a source of income or guiding them through the operations of a tiny house village, my goal is to provide clarity, actionable steps, and encouragement.
What Sets Me Apart
I don’t just talk about freedom—I live it. I’ve been through the struggles of feeling trapped in a traditional lifestyle, and I’ve taken the risks to create a life that aligns with my values. My approach combines real-life experience, faith, and a practical understanding of how to overcome fear and turn dreams into reality.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the lives I’ve been able to impact. Whether it’s through our tiny house hotel, where guests leave feeling inspired, or through my coaching programs, where clients take life-changing steps toward their goals, every success story fuels my mission. I’m also incredibly proud of building Cape Charles Tiny Livin—a dream that started with a vision board and became a thriving community.
What I Want You to Know
I believe that freedom looks different for everyone, and my work is about helping you find yours. Through my books, classes, and speaking, I aim to inspire and equip you to create the life you’ve always dreamed of, no matter where you’re starting from. Whether you’re looking for financial independence, a simpler lifestyle, or the courage to take that first leap, I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Collaboration I found is my best resource. Our Chamber of commerce had a foodie influencer in town and he was moving around sampling food and filming at several locations around the eastern shore of Virginia. He had come to what was supposed to be his last stop. This location to his surprise had no where he could sample the food and video besides in his car. So he called his contact at the chamber and told them that he may be done for the day. But that’s when the young lady at the chamber had a greta idea.. Call Eric at Cape Charles Tiny Livin and see if he could eat his meal in one of the tiny homes? Knowing I am a chamber member as well she thought I would be open to the idea if I had a house available to do so. When she called I happily agreed. I allowed him to come in one of my tiny homes eat his meal and film the whole thing right within my tiny home. I figure that my place would get some attention in the process when we were tagged in the post. Well, once the food video was complete and the influencer had packed up. He asked me to explain what Cape Charles tiny livin is and how it came to be. So we filmed a small video on what my place is and how it came to be. Well long story short 2.4 million views later we have gotten some traction since. I found that collaboration with unrelated things that compliment one another can move the needle. We have done a few collaborations since that have yielded great results.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
What helped me build my reputation within the market? It really comes down to a combination of experience, results, and a genuine passion for what I do. Between 2018 and 2021, I started and managed 19 Airbnb listings, which gave me firsthand knowledge of the short-term rental market. Those years were a crash course in everything from optimizing listings and pricing strategies to creating memorable guest experiences and solving the occasional curveball. Let’s just say I learned how to handle anything—from tricky guest requests to the logistics of running multiple properties—all while maintaining high standards.
When I transitioned from managing individual listings to owning a tiny house hotel, it marked a new chapter in my journey. The hotel is more than just a business; it’s a showcase of how creativity, smart planning, and a love for tiny living can transform a space into something truly special. It’s given me the opportunity to help others experience the charm of tiny homes firsthand, and it’s allowed me to share a lifestyle that resonates with so many people looking to simplify and innovate.
What sets me apart is that I’ve not only talked about what’s possible in this market—I’ve lived it. Whether it’s scaling up operations, navigating challenges, or designing spaces that people rave about, I’ve put in the work to understand this industry from the ground up. I think that combination of hands-on experience, a clear vision, and the ability to adapt to changing trends is what’s helped me build trust and a solid reputation in this space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.capecharlestinylivin.com
- Instagram: capecharles_tinylivin
- Facebook: capecharlestinylivin
- Youtube: Cape Charles Tiny Livin @capecharlestinylivin5914
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cape-charles-tiny-livin-cape-charles
- Other: @mrerichawkins
Image Credits
Kristin Lorraine Photography