When the world slowed down, we built forward. A married duo of certified project leaders, we turned a school bus into an off-grid home — and a lesson in teamwork, resilience, and innovation.
The Bus That
Built Us
Our Story
We’re Garrett and Jamileth Williams — a husband-and-wife team of certified project leaders, technologists, and creators.
In 2020, the pandemic changed everything — including how we lived. Instead of waiting it out, we chose to build forward. We bought a 2005 Thomas flat-nose school bus and turned it into a fully self-sustaining home on wheels. With Garrett’s expertise in OT/ICS cybersecurity and Jamileth’s background in event planning, program management, and education, we approached the build like we would any major project — with vision, structure, and a shared mission.
From sketching layouts and sourcing materials to wiring solar panels and creating smart plumbing systems, we took it one challenge at a time. One year later, we rolled out our home — and a new way of life.
Meet the Crew
Garrett
Garrett Williams, PMP®
Founder of BlueTrek Technology and OT/ICS Cybersecurity Consultant. Lead builder, power system engineer, deck designer, and systems thinker behind
the project.
Jamileth
Jamileth Williams, PgMP®
Global program manager, event producer, former Microsoft strategist, and founder of an ESL platform that served 4,000 students during the pandemic. She managed the project scope, design vision, and coordinated every build phase.
Joey-Tanner
Joey-Tanner the Pomsky
Emotional support pup, site inspector, build foreman, and face of @friendswithfur. Ensured quality control, morale, and plenty of outdoor breaks.
The Journey
From stripped-down steel to a fully-functioning home,
here’s how we built a new way of life — one phase at a time.
We Bought a Bus
Found on Craigslist.
Forty feet of opportunity.
No idea what we were doing.
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Demo + Design
Ripping out seats.
Measuring everything wrong twice.
Starting anyway
Lessons: Trust the process
Google and Reddit are your friends.
We gutted and rebuilt the entire 30-ft 2005 Thomas flat-nose bus from scratch — floor to ceiling. Installed 1,000W of solar, a full 120v electrical system with real outlets, a BLUETTI EP500 solar power station, 2 rooftop skylights, and house-grade windows throughout. With help from friends and late-night research, we installed over 300 gallons of water storage, PEX plumbing, a full-size farmhouse sink, eco-flushing bidet, shower, black tank, and minisplit heat pump. We even built a rooftop deck and a back patio — just because we could.
The Build
The Drive
From Florida to the mountains, we learned how our systems held up — and how we did, too. Testing the solar, plumbing, and comfort of everyday living became a continuous improvement journey. The cellular booster and Wi-Fi hotspot kept us connected. The open road reminded us to unplug.
Favorite Moments
Our favorite moments weren’t just milestones — they were the memories in between. From sharing a paint-splattered laugh to hearing rain on the skylight for the first time, we saw just how beautiful “done together” could be.
Skills We Gained
What the Bus Taught Us About Building, Leading, and Adapting
Project Management
Resource Allocation
Solar & Electrical Systems
Vendor Communication
Budget Forecasting
Hard Skills
Conflict Resolution
Creative Problem-Solving
Communication Under Pressure
Team Dynamics
Strategic Planning
Soft Skills
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Adapting to Uncertainty
Managing Scope Creep
Building from Zero
Documenting & Sharing Knowledge
Time/Energy Efficiency
We approached this like we approach our work in cybersecurity:
break things down, solve problems, stay calm under pressure
More Than a Side Project
This Was a Full-Scale Program
Every phase of this journey reflects who we are: intentional, focused, curious, and capable of adapting and thriving under pressure.
We bring the same mindset to our careers—whether building secure systems, launching new ventures, or leading diverse teams toward complex goals.
Our Gallery
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Dream it.
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Build it.
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Grow it.
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Sell it.
Let's Connect
Do you have questions about the build? Do you want to collaborate with us or just swap tiny house ideas? We'd love to hear from you.