Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiegen Brickson
Hi Tiegen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Keenan and I are both from Minnesota—I’m from Duluth and her the Twin Cities, and we ironically met in Canal Park in 2011. I joined the Navy and we got married young, which led to us moving around before my eventual discharge and we settled in the Twin Cities.
There, I finished school and we both ended up in corporate careers. After our first child was born in 2021, we knew we wanted more flexibility and time together as a family, and we also wanted to escape the winter cold and move to Florida. We wondered… how could we become “snowbirds” in our 30s?
Short-term rentals became the backbone of our plan to achieve time and location freedom. We saw the potential in building a business that would allow us to work from anywhere, while also creating a flexible lifestyle that allowed us to spend more time with our young, growing family.
Duluth, with its vibrant tourism scene and natural beauty, felt like the perfect place to make that dream a reality. By focusing on short-term rentals here, we could share all that Duluth has to offer while creating a business that gave us the freedom we sought.
We took a leap into real estate by renovating a historic property in Canal Park, turning it into The Brix. It was a lot of hard work, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to see it all come together. Now, as we continue to grow our business, we’re focused on creating spaces that bring people together, allowing them to make lasting memories while we continue balancing our family life and business between two beautiful places.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been an easy road, but we’ve always believed in the idea that if it was easy, everyone would do it. Early on we heard a Dave Ramsey quote, “Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else”, and that really resonated with us, and it’s something we’ve taken to heart.
When we decided to dive into short-term rentals and take on the renovation of a historic property, we knew it would require sacrifices and a lot of hard work, but we were committed to building a life that gave us freedom, flexibility, and more time together as a family.
We had to put in a lot of sweat equity—living in construction zones surrounded by sheetrock dust, without a proper kitchen for months, and doing most of the work ourselves. It wasn’t easy, but we were determined. Between managing homes in two places, raising young kids, and building a business from the ground up, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. But those struggles have shaped us into who we are today, and they’ve been a big part of the reward. We wouldn’t change a thing because we know that the hard work now will set us up to live a different kind of life later—one where we have the time and freedom we always dreamed of.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Brix. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Brix is a collection of thoughtfully designed, high-end vacation rentals in Duluth, MN, specifically located in Canal Park. We specialize in providing comfortable, unique spaces that highlight the beauty and history of Duluth.
What sets us apart is our commitment to creating elevated stays that blend modern amenities with a deep respect for local culture, offering visitors an authentic Duluth experience.
I love that we got to where we are without the support of a development group or private equity firm, yet we aim to compete with the best. We’re incredibly proud of how we’ve transformed historic properties into memorable spaces that are both beautiful and meaningful. More than just a place to stay, we aim to provide our guests with an experience they can cherish for years to come.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories are rooted in two places, summers at our family cabin in Northern Wisconsin, and our annual spring break trips to Florida. It’s probably why I felt such a strong urge to develop a lifestyle that allowed us the freedom to enjoy both equally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebrixduluth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.brix.duluth
