“Empowerment is at the center of everything we hope to accomplish.”
About dame van co & the founder.
Purpose & Mission:
Dame Van Co. is a women-centered van conversion company that aims to serve and empower women in the trades and on the road. Our goal is to teach and inspire women to be self-reliant and confident in all their endeavors.
Dame Van Co is Welcoming, all-inclusive, & zero judgment.
We want you to feel like you are capable of literally anything you have your heart set on & our hope is to remove, or at least lessen, the intimidation that comes with life on the road as a woman, as well as building/trade work.
We value clear and open communication, a very relaxed environment, and no gimmicks. We'll never scoff at "silly" questions - if you have a genuine concern or question about an aspect of the van, we'll always answer honestly and explain as thoroughly as possible.
The Dame Values
Inclusivity
Hands-on work is for everyone that enjoys it - period. Dame embraces underrepresented groups in the van building industry and van life community.
EMPOWERMENT
Whenever possible, we take opportunities to educate our clients and community so that they feel confident when they hit the road.
TRANSPARENCY
Open communication is a valued part of our relationship with clients and community members. Any and all questions are welcomed!
From the founder.
Hey, I’m Kensie!
I started Dame Van Co out of the love for the open road that I acquired over the two years I spent living in my own self converted camper van. That van truly felt like home during my travels across the western US and Baja peninsula. The connections I made, the places I experienced, and the support of the van life community as a whole is still my biggest motivator to this day!
After living in a van myself, I know the ins and outs of what’s needed to make life on the road as comfortable as possible.
I am constantly refining my process, material choices, and components to produce an end product that is functional, user-friendly, and aesthetic. Each van is better than the last, and I intend to continue improving indefinitely.
So, where did I learn the skills to build custom camper vans?
I was fortunate to grow up in a household with two parents who were skilled crafters and always encouraged hands-on learning. Our garage wasn’t for storing cars, but for woodworking, welding, and every DIY project in between. With that foundation, I’ve been able to expand on my skills and learning experiences from my very first van, and continue to improve with every van build.
Everything I build is done by hand with a lot of love, care, and attention to detail.
My hope is to make a shift in this industry and introduce something different. I love to see women blossom from total beginners into self-reliant, confident, badasses. Whether you’re a client of mine, an aspiring vanlifer, or newbie DIYers, you have my support in all your endeavors!
All my best,
