Van transformation with Blue Sky Road: mum entrepreneur

After discovering Camplify to hire a van for herself, mum of two, Kate Sawyer, was inspired! After a bit of research, and plenty of encouragement from her two boys, Blue Sky Road was born! Read about Kate's experience converting her two vans, Myles the Van and The Broderster, and read her top tips for first-time van owners.

Who we are:

My name is Kate Sawyer, and I started Blue Sky Road with my two boys Brody (13) and Luke (11).

I originally discovered Camplify because I was looking to hire a campervan to get away by myself and connect with nature. When I realised the services they offer, and how simple they make the process for both hirers and owners, I thought it would be a great business for passive income. So Blue Sky road was born. It is a combination of the letters on mine and my boys' names. Kate, Brody, and Luke Sawyer. Both the boys got to name each van - Luke named Myles (a play on words with miles), and Brody named The Brodester (a play on words with the Tesla Roadster and his name). We wanted to provide comfort and simplicity with an eclectic feel and we have managed that in different ways in both vans.

I honestly could not have started Blue Sky Road without the Camplify platform - everything down to insurance and licensing of the hirers, the checklists, app and payments. It's been so easy, all I have to do is make sure the vans are ready on the day!

Why did you decide to convert a van and when did you start?

We lived in NZ for quite a few years and they have little shacks (called 'bach' there) by the beach that are really remote and super affordable to get away for the weekend and mini-breaks. When we moved back to Australia we very quickly discovered these did not exist here! So I decided a campervan would be a really great alternative, and actually better because you had the freedom to go wherever the road takes you, and wake up somewhere different and spectacular every single day.

How long did your van conversion take?

We purchased the first van Myles in September 2020 and he took about 2 months from purchase to complete. We bought Myles already converted and he looked so perfect and eclectic which is what we wanted, however, it very quickly became clear the setup was not practical at all! I was very lucky that a friend's dad was super handy and looking to fill in some time; he was awesome at bringing my crazy and ever-changing ideas to life! In hindsight, it would have been cheaper and easier to start from scratch! This is what we did with 'The Brodester' who we purchased in February 2021, and his conversion was just over a month. We bought the second van for two reasons, Myles was consistently booked and people were missing out on the opportunity to experience the van life, and we really wanted a three-seater van so we could go away as a family.

Would you rather, campervan or motorhome?

Campervan definitely! I love the simplicity they provide, and because they are cheaper they are more accessible too. Win-win!

What's one feature you would not compromise on?

Solar power! For two reasons... fridge and fairy lights! Our goal is to make van life easy and accessible for everyone. So although we want simplicity, we also want comfort. So that means being able to keep your food cold while travelling and not having to purchase as you go. And also the ambience of fairy lights in the middle of the bush at night... it cannot be replicated!!

Where did you go to find inspiration?

I had quite a firm idea of what I wanted to create from the start however there are other amazing vans on Camplify that we got ideas from. One specifically that comes to mind was a campervan on the Gold Coast which had surfboard straps from the roof. This is where we got the idea for the interior removal racks in The Brodester. It was much more cost-effective than roof racks and customers can still venture away knowing their surfboards are safe.

What is one piece of advice you'd offer a first-time van renovator?

There is no use having a budget.... conversions done properly are expensive and ever-changing! Both of my conversions blew out but I would rather that and have everything perfect than compromise on the end product.

What's something you wish you could change about your van?

I would love the 4WD option! I love Fraser Island and would love to be able to go there in one of my vans.

What is your funniest/best hirer story?

I had an older couple hire the Brodester for several weeks. I got almost daily updates of pictures of where they were and how much they loved him. When I was completing the post-hire check they had left me a card that was so beautiful. It was a thank you card, but read more like a love letter. It was so sweet I actually cried. It's spelled out exactly why I started Blue Sky Road.

What's next for Blue Sky Road?

Getting through COVID! There is so much uncertainty with lockdowns, but when it's safe it's exactly the time we should be getting away and reconnecting with nature.

Which Camplify owner would you like to see on our next van tour?

Drifters - Hendrix was the first van I hired and I wouldn't be doing this without that experience.

Keen to try one of Kate's vans for yourself? You can hire them here!