Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tiegen Brickson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tiegen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

One of the most challenging unexpected issues we’ve encountered was the renovation at 345 Canal Park Drive in Duluth taking far longer and costing far more than anticipated.

After the success of our first condo conversion, we purchased a 3,000 square foot vacant office space in Canal Park, with a plan to convert it into two premium vacation rentals. It featured beautiful 1890s masonry, Douglas fir beams, high ceilings, and an outstanding location in the heart of Canal Park. Initial quotes, architectural plans, and projections all aligned well. We expected the project to take 8 to 12 months and be ready for the 2024 peak summer season.

Well…what a wake up call. As of this writing in February 2026, we are STILL unfinished.

The City of Duluth’s permitting and inspection process has proved to be the biggest obstacle. It moved extremely slowly, with repeated revisions and unanticipated code compliance requirements. Each time we thought we made progress, additional questions or adjustments arose, extending the timeline significantly. Holding costs accumulated month after month with no income to offset them. Construction costs ultimately doubled our original budget, driven by those unexpected code-related changes, the prolonged schedule, and the broader rise in prices and labor costs across the industry.

The grind has been a true test of character. At times, the ongoing delays turned initial excitement into real stress and doubt about whether we had taken on too much. And during the same period, our family grew from two children to four, all five and under. We refinanced our home, secured a line of credit against our first condo, whatever it took. We were all in.

Grit and determination are what’s kept us going. Our contractor, Groppoli Custom Finishing, has been an exceptional partner throughout, ensuring our side never caused delays. Whereas most people would have lost their mind or became tyrannical, I firmly believe that treating people with respect and fostering strong relationships yields far better results than aggressive tactics.

We are finally nearing completion, and I’m confident the two units will be outstanding, positioning them among the finest vacation rentals in Duluth. Every square inch has truly been crafted with intention.

This project has stripped me of my rose-colored glasses, which I believe is a lesson you can only learn the hard way as a developer or business owner. It pushed us to our absolute limits, professionally and personally, but I’m incredibly thankful for the hard-won wisdom it delivered.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Tiegen Brickson, co-founder of The Brix with my wife, Keenan.

After my military service, corporate jobs, and starting our family, we left the 9-5 in 2022 to pursue financial independence and raise our kids on our own terms. We turned our focus to vacation rentals in Duluth’s Canal Park —the place where we met — a place we’ve always loved.

Duluth stands out as one of the Midwest’s most unique and charming destinations—Lake Superior’s pebbled shores, the elegance of the Aerial Lift Bridge, and the natural beauty all around. Yet, we noticed a disconnect: the hospitality options rarely felt elevated enough to match what Mother Nature delivers here. Too often, visitors ended up in generic hotels or basic rentals that didn’t capture the magic or comfort of the place. We wanted to change that.

So we created The Brix: premium vacation rentals in Canal Park that feel thoughtful and elevated—intentional design, genuine hospitality, full kitchens and home-level amenities, plus local perks like the Brix Passport for discounts at local favorites.

What sets us apart is our deep connection to Canal Park, obsessive attention to every detail, Superhost status, and the fact that we’re building this while raising a young family. I’m most proud of helping visitors experience Duluth in a way that truly matches its beauty and spirit.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I can’t speak highly enough to the power of finding good Facebook groups within your niche and industry. Even if it’s just to be a fly on a wall. Every big, scary decision we ever had to make seemed much less scary than it probably was because I had read hundreds of posts about other people who had been through it. I also got to read all the comments from people, giving advice and sharing resources. Questions about financing, taxes, bookkeeping,— you name it. All I had to do was search within the forum and I could find posts to read or people to connect with.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As we pursued FIRE, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early, we really had to break ourselves out of the mold most of us are put into from an early age. That mold says work your butt off, suck up to your manager, pile up money until you’re 65, and then use what’s left of your money and health to enjoy your twilight years and call it a retirement.

We are so fortunate to live in a time when other options are now possible. Options that let you earn back your time. Options that let you be home with your kids. Options that let you live life on your terms, not someone else’s. Things like employer-sponsored health insurance, 401Ks, and corporate ladders are designed to keep you contained.

I truly believe it’s never too late to break free from that mold. We did it in less than three years. It just takes some guts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebrixduluth.com
• Instagram: @the.brix.duluth