EXPEDITION DREAM
ExpeditionDream roots reach the late 90’s. At first, it was just a dream.
My name is Dariusz Juszczuk and I am the owner and operator of ExpeditionDream. My expertise is in small living spaces and compact functionality. My pet peeves are poor quality and wasted space. I take my 20 years of experience in design, building and renovating and I apply it to every project.
ROOTS AND CONFIDENCE
Growing up in Poland, I was exposed to many trades early on.
My Father was an electrician, Uncle- plumber, one Grandfather built houses, and the other owned a wood-working shop. That’s where I spent most of my free time as a kid. I vividly remember the smell of fresh-cut wood, and the way dust hung in the air. My Grandfather (against my Mother’s will) allowed me to use his professional tools. I got to hold real hammers, slam real nails, get real splinters. I cannot describe the confidence it gave me then; I felt like a grown-up.
I wanted to become an engineer, but first I needed to answer a calling that made my body tingle with excitement.
WANDERLUST
When most of my friends only dreamed about traveling, I traveled. You see, I loved camping. I always had a map in my backpack, and a knife in my pocket. My father showed me how to set up camp, start a fire, find true North. He taught me how to troubleshoot, brainstorm and how to follow my dreams.
With this in mind, I decided to explore Europe. I was a teenager with a backpack, some clothes and that same old map and knife in my pocket. With little-to-no money, I managed to stay afloat for several months - hitchhiking, camping and taking small jobs whenever possible. During this trip I saw my very first mobile camper, and the seed was planted.
GAS STATION TRANSACTION
I moved to the United States in the early 2000’s, and quickly grew my first business. As a residential and commercial builder, my company offered both design and remodeling services. In the meantime, I discovered my passion for motorcycles. Starting with street bikes, I learned a lot about torque and power, but I truly felt my best off-road. Every chance I had, I packed my adventure bike in a van, and headed West. Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona - you name it. I had a vague memory of the camper-bus I saw during my first solo trip across Europe, and I decided to give it a try.
I converted one of my company vans into a sleeper, improving it bit by bit every time a need presented itself to me in the field. It was a tedious process that eventually paid off. One sunny afternoon a stranger approached me at a gas station somewhere in Colorado. We started talking, I showed him the van, and to my surprise he made me an offer! I drove back home in a rental.
TO NEW BEGINNINGS!
As horrible as the pandemic was, to me the lockdown that resulted from it was a blessing in disguise.
When everybody was struggling to find their new “normal”, I stayed busier than ever - customizing one camper after another with plenty of time for brainstorming, designing, testing and troubleshooting.
Every evening I hoped for the night to pass quickly, so I could get up and go back to “work” in the morning. I still laugh to myself everytime I come home with a full lunchbox; I get too busy, too excited, time flies and I forget to eat my lunch! If this isn’t happiness, I don’t know what is. Making my dream come true was just a matter of determination, and the reward for it is significantly greater than I could ever imagine. After the first few vans found their “forever homes,” I quickly realized that helping others achieve their dreams is equally satisfying to me.
I am not looking for this company to grow much larger. I am not tempted by mass-production and mass-distribution, cookie-cutter ideology, quick profits and commercial turnaround. I appreciate the beauty of a small business – a familiar, reliable team, our personal approach, and the capacity to understand and customize every camper.
I take great pride in what we do, and everytime I give a set of keys to the new owner, I feel my Father, Uncle, both Grandfathers (and my delighted Mother) shake their hand with me. Again, if this isn’t happiness, I don’t know what is.
Sincerely,
