We were lucky to catch up with Mars + Ash Fite recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mars + Ash , appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I’ve realized the best things in life have all started with saying “yes.” For us, that moment came when we decided to venture beyond a traditional life we were building-a home in Oklahoma City, jobs, the routine of parenthood-and embark on a 48-state roadtrip with our 2-year-old daughter in 2016.
At the time, we were settling into what most would consider a responsible, traditional life. I came acrossan article that stuck with me. It said the couples that lasted were the ones leaning into each other’s ideas and dreams, the couples who were truly interested in what the other was interested in. I realized that after becoming married and having our first child, I had started saying “no” to the adventurous, wild ideas that once defined us. So, I made a decision. The next time Mars had a big idea, I would listen with an open heart as if we were dating again, rather than make a choice purely from a place of stability and responsibility-and maybe even some fear.
That evening, he came home and said, “I found this map of a 48-state roadtrip that takes you through national parks, historical sites and hidden gems all across the country. Would you ever want to do this?” Instead of listing reasons why we shouldn’t, I simply said, “That sounds amazing!” That moment truly changed the trajectory of our life.
Six months later, we packed up our Honda Civic, rented out our house and hit the road. For three months and 19,001 miles we traveled in that amazing little car, camped, Couchsurfed and picked up odd jobs across the country to make it work. We met incredible people, saw breathtaking landscapes, and learned first hand how big life can be when you choose adventure over fear.
That trip was the catalyst for everything that followed-vanlife, entrepreneurship, and the belief that risk isn’t something to fear; it’s an open door to something greater than you ever imagined.
Mars + Ash , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We’re Mars and Ash Fite-former vanlifers, creative entrepreneurs and experiential storytellers. Our journey has been anything but conventional, and we’ve built our lives around the idea that taking risks leads to the most meaningful experiences. What started as a bold decision to take a 48-state roadtrip with our 2-year-old daughter turned into a complete reimagining of how we wanted to live, create and work.
After that life-changing roadtrip, we spent several years on the road as vanlifers, working as tour managers in the experiential marketing industry. We traveled coast to coast, creating unique brand activations and immersive experiences for companies looking to connect with their audiences in a deeper, more meaningful way. Those years honed our skills in storytelling, community-building, and brand experience design-skills we now apply to our own ventures.
Our work spans multiple creative industries, all connected by the common thread of storytelling and human connection. Our brand, Hello Dreamer is launching soon and is our creative home-a brand, a retreat and a movement for dreamers.
We purchased an 18-acre property in Salida, Colorado to create a space where artists and creatives could gather, collaborate and find inspiration. From that vision, Hello Dreamer was born-a creative retreat, a brand and a home for all of our artistic passions. At the heart of Hello Dreamer is the retreat itself, where we host intimate events, elopements and various artists. We also created The Green Room, a tiny studio on the property where we film live music sessions and collaborate with creatives in different capacities.
Beyond the retreat, Hello Dreamer is our umbrella for creative work-from our own music project to video production, brand storytelling and an upcoming merch line. Everything we do is about fostering creativity, connection and unforgettable experiences.
At the core of Hello Dreamer is a deep belief in the power of creativity, human connection and the willingness to take risks in the pursuit of a meaningful life. We are inspired by artists, storytellers, and visionaries-those who dream big, push boundaries and create with heart. Our focus is on building a space and a brand that encourages people to chase what excites them, embrace the unknown and bring their ideas to life.
What sets us apart is that we live what we create. We’ve built a life rooted in adventure, storytelling and immersive experiences-not just for ourselves, but for the community we cultivate. Whether through a live session in The Green Room, a breathtaking elopement on our property, a film project or a brand experience that sparks connection, everything we do is about making people feel something real.
What I’m most proud of is that the dream is still alive. Through every challenge, every shift in direction, and every season of life, we’ve kept creating. We’ve taken risks, adapted, and pushed forward even when the path wasn’t clear. Today, I listened to a song we’re recording in the studio and my eyes filled with tears-not because the song was perfect, but because I’m still here, doing the thing. The younger versions of ourselves would be so proud that we never stopped.
That, to me, is everything. To keep creating, to keep dreaming, to still be living a life filled with curiosity and expression-that’s what I’m most proud of. And if our journey can inspire others to hold onto their dreams, to keep making, and to believe that it’s never too late, then that’s what makes Hello Dreamer more than just a brand. It’s a reminder that creativity isn’t something you outgrow-it’s something you. nurture, something that grows with you and always lives within you, ready to be brought to life in new unexpected ways.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Building our home and retreat in Colorado tested our resilience in ways we never expected. When we bought our 18-acre property, we had a vision for Hello Dreamer-a creative retreat where artists could gather, collaborate and find inspiration. What we didn’t anticipate was how much red tape we’d have to navigate in order to bring that vision to life. Between endless permitting, unexpected regulations and logistical roadblocks, it felt like every step forward became another hurdle. The process drained so much of our creative energy that, for a while, it felt like we were just surviving instead of building something meaningful.
But we didn’t give up. We pushed through, adapted, and found ways to keep our vision alive, even when it moved slower than we wanted. Now, after years of persistence, we’re finally seeing momentum-hosting artists, opening up our space, and watching Hello Dreamer evolve into what we always imagined, but better.
Looking back, I’m so thankful we didn’t let setbacks define us. The challenges made us stronger, and made everything we’ve built even that more meaningful.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn was the idea that security comes from following a conventional path. Growing up, we’re taught a set of “brules” -aka bullshit rules-from our parents and society about how life is supposed to go: get a stable job, buy a house, stay within the lines. The world is built for those who stay within the lines. After a long time, I found myself unconsciously slipping back into that mindset because it felt safe.
But every time I feel myself leaning to far into security-I felt like I was shrinking.
The best things in my life-the 48 state road trip, vanlife, our property, our creative work-happened because we chose risk over comfort. I had to unlearn the belief that stability is the only path to success and redefine it on my own terms. For me, security isn’t about staying in one place-it’s about trusting in our ability to adapt, create and build a life that excites us. The moment I let go of fear of the unknown, I realized that I wasn’t meant to live a predictable life-I was meant to live one filled with possibilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thefites.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefites
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitetravels
Image Credits
Lauren Fletcher Danforth @lovelorraine