The Great Trailer Renovation of 2018
An old, dusty trailer was transformed into a vibrant food business from the ground up—gutted, designed, and custom-fitted to create a seamless, welcoming space for both the team and customers. This project was a hands-on lesson in maximizing limited space, blending creativity with functionality, and anticipating real-world needs—just like UX design.
How It All Began
I’m Tiana—a creative soul from El Paso, Texas, whose journey has zigzagged through architecture, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship. It all started with architecture at the University of Arizona, fascinated by how design can shape experiences. However, a yearning for hands-on, personal creativity led me to shift gears.
Austin was where my culinary chapter took off, experimenting with vegan dishes and craft kombucha. Then came the spark to build something of my own. I envisioned a food trailer, and—despite starting with what looked like an old, dusty tin can—my immensely creative mom and I embarked on a nine-month adventure to bring it to life. We gutted, designed, custom-fitted, and transformed it into a moving piece of art, infusing it with my love for food, design, and a touch of entrepreneurial grit.
Renovating that trailer taught me so much about UX design. Every inch of space had to work for both the team inside and the customers outside. It was all about anticipating needs and making the experience feel seamless, even when space and resources were tight. I had to get creative, balancing function with flow and refining as we went. It’s that same drive I bring to UX today: shaping spaces, digital or physical, that feel easy, natural, and crafted with care. My journey proves that creativity isn’t something you can put in a box—it’s just waiting for the next shape to take.
TIMELINE
9 months
TEAM
Tiana Olivo
Sharon Olivo
TOOLS
Literally every tool
Adobe Illustrate
RESPONSIBILITIES
Construction
Demolition
Interior Design
Project Management
UX Design
BEFORE
Welcome to Doggie Style
Hand built around the year 2000, this trailer was destined to be great. It caught my eye immediately and I swiftly made a call to negotiate. It didn't seem like much but I saw the trailer's potential.
I purchased the trailer in July of 2018 from a local vegan hotdog stand called Doggie Style. The initial challenge? Dealing with the greasy remnants of its hotdog heydays.
The trailer was like a greasy work of art, cracks and all. Moldy fridge, colorless and plain – it had seen better days. But what caught my eye were those massive panels that, when swung open, transformed the space into a radiant haven, bathing everything in light.
DURING
It's Demo Time
As the summer heat finally gave way, my mom and I eagerly launched into the exciting adventure of renovating the trailer in September 2018. Day by day we worked to demolish the entire left side of the interior. We removed the grill top, frame, counter, and even the floor until it became a blank canvas.
DURING
Let the Paint Do the Talking
I revitalized the entire exterior by giving it a fresh coat of bright white paint.
After pulling out the old flooring, we reinforced the frame, then measured, cut and fit in all new floors.
There's just something about the classic combo of black and white that gets me every time. The perfect equilibrium and everlasting style—it's my go-to color harmony.
Through moonlit nights and scorching days, in the freezing cold or sweltering heat, it didn't matter. I was committed to working in every condition imaginable to bring this project to fruition.
DURING
It's Electric!
After two weeks of tinkering and a touch of frustration, we conquered the challenge of installing brand-new brake lights and side markers on the trailer. Overcoming a few hiccups, my mom and I were thrilled when they finally blinked to life. Our victory dance in the street was the perfect way to celebrate the triumph over technical tribulations!
DURING
The Ugliest Purple In the World
Tailoring new cabinets to perfection, we carved out sections at the bottom, ensuring a seamless fit over the wheel wells for a blend of form and function.
Initially, the vision was to coat the cabinets in a vibrant purple hue with a hint of shimmer, but the result was disappointingly murky, pushing us to pivot and seek a more enchanting alternative.
I settled on yet another timeless choice—azure blue—which paired with the new vinyl flooring, gave the space a complete and stunning transformation.
AFTER
She's Alive!
With a few interior upgrades, like installing shelves, replacing the outdated fridge, and incorporating a convenient trash chute, the trailer was officially done!
WAY AFTER
One Door Closes…
My mom and I completed the extensive renovations, unveiling our grand opening on June 22, 2019. The arduous nine-month journey had concluded, marking the start of a new adventure. I operated the trailer for another nine months until the pandemic struck, reshaping my business landscape. Coping with declining sales and the challenges of the time, I contemplated quitting.
However, I opted to give it one more shot. In June 2021, I sold the trailer, rebranded my company as Cereus Brew, and shifted my focus to wholesale kombucha sales. Yet, the satisfaction eluded me, leading to a realization—I derived more joy from the creation, art, and renovation of my trailer than the operational side of business. That's when I embraced my true calling: design.
