Meet Rita Simpson | Design Consultant & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rita Simpson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rita, what do you attribute your success to?
My brand is built on a dream: the dream shared by all wanderlusters who have an insatiable desire to travel and see the world. Wanderlust Vintage Design creates curated tiny home on wheels to take people on an adventure of a lifetime. This is my passion project: because I love what I do, that passion spreads to my client base and has evolved very organically and quickly. I am not only passionate about travel, I love to design the trailers I work on to be customized to the unique aesthetic of each of my clients. The single most important factor that has led to the success of my brand is my ability to work collaboratively to design the dream home on wheels my customers have envisioned. “If you dream it, I can build it” has been my motto. I love working with others to fulfill their vision, and this passion is contagious.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am proud of how my small but mighty team of professionals have rescued, restored, and renovated over 200 vintage trailers since we launched in 2016. There are very few minority women in the vintage trailer restoration world. Since I grew up camping, it was natural for me to embrace the idea of building “Freedom Vehicles” and home on wheels to explore the great outdoors. My business grew organically and very grass roots; it started by me bringing my one and only trailer that I had designed for myself to a local outdoor market to showcase. It grew very quickly and within the first year I had sold a dozen and half trailers. We initially only had two staff members, myself and the co-founder. At our largest, we grew to 13 full time employees, and a whole other team of sub-contractors. In 2022, my business suffered a major setback when we suffered a shop fire that burned down more than half of my inventory, along with all of my tools and equipment. We found a way to survive and thrive, despite such a catastrophic loss. The support and outpouring of love from the community was overwhelming and encouraged me to continue my business, even though I did not think I could after losing everything. I am excited that the turn of events also helped me forge a new partnership with Happier Camper, Inc., a trailer manufacturer in my region that builds new fiberglass campers that were inspired by the vintage trailers I restore. The synergy between the two brands has been mutually beneficial, reminding me that the future is bright if we never give up doing what we love. I love to design curated “bespoke” custom trailers for other Wanderlust-minded folks looking for adventure on the open road. I am delighted that I get to work with other like-minded people chasing the same dream…Adventure is out there to be discovered on the road, and I am honored I get to play a small role in helping others realize their dreams to travel and see the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
1.) SUP board rentals at Sunset Beach near Bolsa Chica and Sunset Beach
2.) Abbott Kinney – The Farmer’s Daughter and Day Spa
3.) Manhattan Beach Pier – Italian restaurant “Fritto Misto”
4.) Balboa Island – Wilma’s Patio
5.) Hermosa Beach Pier – Breakfast at Good Stuff, then rent a bike
6.) Rolling HIlls Estates/Palos Verdes Peninsula – Visit Terranea Resort for breath taking views and cliffside strolls
7.) LA River / Frogtown Flea Market – unique artisan shopping and river bike ride

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My passion project would never have launched into the thriving business it is today without the help, support and encouragement from my childhood friend and co-founder, Sophia Lin, and my partner, Gerardo Arredondo. Sophia played a critical part in the early formation years of my business while Gerardo helped me grow it into what it is today. In 2016, Sophia invested time and resources to help the company launch, from designing the logo and website, to helping me search the world over for vintage trailers to restore. In 2018, Gerardo brought his 20 years of RV repair and restoration experience with him when he joined the Wanderlust team. He helped me grow the business and traveled around the country to pick up and deliver trailers we restored and renovated together. I am grateful for Gerardo’s support and Sophia’s vision at to help my kick start my passion project. I would not be here today without their love, support, talent and vision!

Website: https://www.wanderlustvintagetrailers.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustvintagetrailers/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Wanderlust-Vintage-Trailers-100063474916140/