Three years ago, Heather and Levi Schoonover purchased a struggling trophy and medal business for $40,000 from a deceased family member. They immediately relocated from northern Idaho to Boise, moving into an unfinished 1957 Airstream trailer parked inside the business's warehouse, where they lived for a year.
The couple's drastic lifestyle change was a calculated risk to own an asset they believed could appreciate. The first year was challenging, with the business netting only around $35,000 in profit. However, their perseverance paid off as they doubled their profits the following year and then doubled them again.
From Warehouse Living to a New Business Venture
While establishing themselves in Boise, the Schoonovers sought to build a social circle. With Heather's background in paint-and-sip studios, they were surprised to find none operating in the city. She began hosting informal painting events in their warehouse, charging only for materials.
"People loved it," Heather Schoonover stated in an interview with Business Insider. The positive reception revealed a clear market gap and a second business opportunity. While still focused on reviving the trophy company, they decided to pursue a franchise model for the paint-and-sip concept to gain a proven system and future operational flexibility.
Franchise Support Proves Pivotal for Growth
They partnered with the national franchise Painting With a Twist. The corporate support was crucial, particularly during the search for a commercial location and subsequent lease negotiations in Boise. The structured model provided stability during a major personal milestone.
Heather discovered she was pregnant the day before the studio's grand opening. "Having a baby and a new business in the same year would have been a million times more stressful if we were on our own," she explained. The franchise's resources allowed the business to remain operational and profitable during her maternity leave.
Defining Success Through Freedom and Family
For the Schoonovers, success is defined by autonomy over their time. They now run both the trophy business and the painting franchise, alongside rental properties. This portfolio allows them to coordinate schedules to care for their young daughter, with one parent managing daytime operations and the other handling evening events.
"We want our daughter to know it's OK to take risks," Heather said, reflecting on their journey from stable jobs to living in a trailer. "We'd rather take the leap and try to figure it out together." Their story underscores a pursuit of entrepreneurial freedom and community in their adopted city of Boise.