A mom and her daughter transform old RVs into modern tiny homes, and more than 200 people are on their waiting list. Here's how they got started.

Frank OlitoAug 4, 2020, 01:05 IST

Cortni and Patti Armstrong.Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

Cortni Armstrong started The Flipping Nomad, an RV renovation company, with her mother, Patti.
They purchase RVs, redesign them from the inside out, and then sell the vehicles for a profit.
Armstrong's journey in the RV industry started when she was on the brink of homelessness and decided to move into an RV as a last resort.
Today, she's living in a luxurious RV that she designed with three fireplaces, a free-standing tub, and a pizza oven.

When Cortni Armstrong graduated from college, she watched as her friends got married, bought homes, and flourished in their careers. Armstrong, however, was forced to live in an RV park, sometimes wondering how she would feed herself.

But she turned the dark moment in her life into a flourishing business with the help of her mother, Patti. Together, they started The Flipping Nomad, a company that transforms RVs from drab, dark boxes into bright, modern homes on wheels.

Take a look at how the two created a successful business from the ground up.

In April 2014, Cortni Armstrong was on the brink of becoming homeless and decided to move into an RV when she ran out of options.

Armstrong on the open road. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

For the first few months, Armstrong struggled with money and hated living in an RV.

The 2006 Outback. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

However, things started to change that summer. Armstrong fell in love with the people in the RV park and the lifestyle.

Armstrong and her dog. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

In the winter of 2015, Armstrong decided she wanted to keep living in an RV, but she needed an upgrade. Unfortunately, she couldn't find anything she wanted in her style.

The exterior of the 2006 Sedona. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

In the winter of 2015, Armstrong decided she wanted to keep living in an RV, but she needed an upgrade. Unfortunately, she couldn't find anything she wanted in her style.

Knowing very little about design or RVs, Armstrong struggled through the six-week renovation process.

Interior of the 2006 Sedona before the renovation. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

After two years, Armstrong was in a better place financially as she continued to thrive in her renovated RV. That's when she decided to make another big lifestyle change.

Interior of the 2006 Sedona after the renovation. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

After two years, Armstrong was in a better place financially as she continued to thrive in her renovated RV. That's when she decided to make another big lifestyle change.

The first step was to buy an RV and then renovate it with the intention of selling it for profit.

The 2010 Dutchmen before the renovation. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

While renovating her first two RVs, Armstrong published her progress on her personal Instagram account and the images picked up steam.

The 2010 Dutchmen after the renovation. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

A young couple reached out to Armstrong via her Instagram account to ask her to design an RV personally for them.

The 2010 Montana before the renovation. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

Armstrong brightened up the space with her simple and elegant design.

The 2010 Montana after the renovation. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

Around that time, Armstrong's mother, Patti, joined the team and the business began to boom.

Armstrong and her mother, Patti. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

Armstrong said The Flipping Nomad's waiting list has over 200 people wanting the mother-daughter duo to renovate an RV for them.

The mother/daughter duo. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

Armstrong said customers buy her renovated RVs sight unseen because she has a trusted process.

Armstrong inspecting an RV. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

Once she is confident that the RV she purchased is safe and functional, Armstrong begins her redesign process.

Armstrong beginning the redesign process. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

The process starts with a plan and then a demolition.

An RV before Armstrong's renovation. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

From there, they start the "very tedious" rebuilding project, which takes six to eight weeks to complete on average.

An RV after Armstrong's renovation. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

After the success of their business, the mother-daughter duo partnered with Keystone to completely redesign the 2021 Ultimate Montana.

The Ultimate Montana is massive. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

Inside, you'll find an expertly designed, luxury home on wheels.

The kitchen and living space. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

Armstrong even designed a free-standing tub in the Ultimate Montana.

The bathroom in the Ultimate Montana. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

However, it's not lost on Armstrong that she went from near homelessness to living in one of the most luxurious RVs in the country.

Armstrong and her home. Courtesy of Cortni Armstrong

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A mom and her daughter transform old RVs into modern tiny homes, and more than 200 people are on their waiting list. Here's how they got started.

In April 2014, Cortni Armstrong was on the brink of becoming homeless and decided to move into an RV when she ran out of options.

For the first few months, Armstrong struggled with money and hated living in an RV.

However, things started to change that summer. Armstrong fell in love with the people in the RV park and the lifestyle.

In the winter of 2015, Armstrong decided she wanted to keep living in an RV, but she needed an upgrade. Unfortunately, she couldn't find anything she wanted in her style.

Knowing very little about design or RVs, Armstrong struggled through the six-week renovation process.

After two years, Armstrong was in a better place financially as she continued to thrive in her renovated RV. That's when she decided to make another big lifestyle change.

The first step was to buy an RV and then renovate it with the intention of selling it for profit.

While renovating her first two RVs, Armstrong published her progress on her personal Instagram account and the images picked up steam.

A young couple reached out to Armstrong via her Instagram account to ask her to design an RV personally for them.

Armstrong brightened up the space with her simple and elegant design.

Around that time, Armstrong's mother, Patti, joined the team and the business began to boom.

Armstrong said The Flipping Nomad's waiting list has over 200 people wanting the mother-daughter duo to renovate an RV for them.

Armstrong said customers buy her renovated RVs sight unseen because she has a trusted process.

Once she is confident that the RV she purchased is safe and functional, Armstrong begins her redesign process.

The process starts with a plan and then a demolition.

From there, they start the "very tedious" rebuilding project, which takes six to eight weeks to complete on average.

After the success of their business, the mother-daughter duo partnered with Keystone to completely redesign the 2021 Ultimate Montana.

Inside, you'll find an expertly designed, luxury home on wheels.

Armstrong even designed a free-standing tub in the Ultimate Montana.

However, it's not lost on Armstrong that she went from near homelessness to living in one of the most luxurious RVs in the country.