THE HAPPY CASTLE COOPERATIVE
Happy Castle is organized as a non-profit income-sharing cooperative. This means that the business side of Happy Castle is owned and operated by the members living onsite, or Villagers, as we affectionately call ourselves. As you live and work at at Happy Castle, not only will you meet incredible people and build community together, you also gain new skills in dozens of different areas related to community-life and running a business. The best part is that you'll earn a daily stipend for yourself. This isn't necessarily an hourly wage, but rather a slowly accruing saving account waiting for you to cash-out when you move on.
Don't get us wrong, we want you to be a part of Happy Castle and stay for as long as possible, but Unlike other communes, we don't expect you to stay forever. First and foremost, Happy Castle is a revolutionary cultural experiment that challenges our capitalist economic status-quo by fostering the highest potential of every worker through skill-building, access to resources, and promoting transformative interpersonal experiences rather than simply viewing workers as labor to exploit. As human beings, we're meant to love, learn and create, not waste away as a faceless automatons at some soulless corporation that's poisoning our planet. The Happy castle Co-op represents a radical new way of living and working which genuinely seeks to uplift and provide for the peoples who comprise us.
Our ultimate mission is to give the world a choice in how they want to live, whether that be sustainably, communally, and secure or alienated and at risk. So, if you've felt the same hopelessness and disgust that we have with our broken system and are willing to put in the same effort you would at any other job, then Happy Castle could be the answer you've been searching for. The idea of coming together with strangers to build a business in the desert might seem like a pipe-dream, but it's not. It's a dream that so many of us have longed for. What happens when we focus that energy? If Coachella and Burning Man can do it, then so can we. So move in, live and work on a commune, meet incredible people, host a music festival, and have the experience of a lifetime. Stay for a summer or two or ten, build up your nest egg, and follow your own dreams with all that you've gained.
HUNDREDS OF COLLABORATORS
DOZENS OF BUSINESSES
ONE VISION
Our Art Festivals and Campground are only two of more than thirty planned income-generating businesses operated onsite. By leveraging the combined power of our individual talents, we'll create dozens of collectively-owned-enterprises that make life on the commune that much more enriching. Organic produce from our greenhouses, honey and mead from our beehives, energy from our solar-farm, incredible meals from our kitchen, pottery from our art-studio, and many different workshops and classes on every subject in between!
What are you passionate about? Is it gardening, writing, cooking, painting, or making pottery? What are you good at? Are you a therapist, accountant, builder, dancer, chef, or mechanic?
Mainstream society often forces us to choose a career, in many cases long before we've even thought about what we truly want, and commit to that role for the rest of our lives. Economic pressures cause us to set aside our hobbies and dreams to focus on the immediate necessities of paying our bills. A lifetime later, we're left wondering where all the time went and whether any of it was ever worth it in the first place.
At Happy Castle we envision a different way. Rather than tackling life alone, we choose to work together, sharing our skills, abilities, and expertise with the collective in order to build a life that not only provides for our basic needs, but fosters our spiritual, emotional, and social needs as well. By living communally and collectively, we believe that each of us can have far more together than we could ever dream of having on our own.
LEAD YOUR LIFE
EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND HELPS BUILD HAPPY CASTLE
Happy Castle is in the startup phase and even with a team as willing and committed to building this community as ours is, startups are expensive. Besides the basic infrastructure necessary to sustain our members, we're also attempting to host fully-fledged music festivals for thousands of guests!
Did you know that every dollar you spend on our website goes back into building Happy Castle? So whether you're renting a campsite, getting a festival ticket, or scooping up the next new merch drop, you're also helping us hit our fundraising goals to make Happy Castle a reality. Thank you!
INCOME GENERATING CAMPS
Entrepreneurship at Happy Castle
Happy Castle’s various businesses, divisions, and administrative functions will be divided into pods called Community Camps. Each Camp is composed of members who specialize in and operate that particular area. Camps democratically elect their own leadership, who we’ll refer to as Boards, who take on managerial responsibilities inside their Camp. Members can belong to any number of Camps and serve on as many boards as they’re elected to. However, not every Camp has the same needs or structure of every other Camp, so while one Camp such as Festival Planning for example, might need a Treasurer to track income, design budgets, and oversee spending, another Camp such as Waste Management, might not.
Some Camps will be “income-generating” Camps and have particularly important roles in ensuring Happy Castle’s overall success. All Camps are encouraged to get creative about ways to generate revenue or cut costs, but core income-generating Camps will face unique organizational pressure to build healthy financially balanced businesses. Other Camps are more concerned with supportive roles, like sanitation, cooking, construction, or the administration of commune life, such as onboarding new members. Every Camp will have the primary responsibility for resolving internal conflicts, strategizing, and streamlining their own processes. Despite this degree of separation, Camps should remember that they are partners with neighboring Camps, specializing in one aspect of the same overall mission of building a thriving commune, campground, and festival venue. Enthusiastic communication and cooperation between Camps are integral to our shared success.
FINANCIAL FREEDOM
At Happy Castle, our cooperative profit-sharing model ensures that more of the money stays in the hands of our workers compared to traditional capitalist labor relations. Since we collectively own and operate the businesses together, there’s no outside entity profiting from our efforts—every dollar generated directly supports our community and its members. Additionally, by living communally, we reduce personal expenses on housing, utilities, food, and other essentials. This allows us to save money while enjoying a high quality of life, fostering both financial security and a sense of ownership in everything we build and create together.
As you live an work on the commune, you'll earn a daily stipend to spend as you please or to save up for the next big step in your life. When you help us, we help you. Join the commune and stay for however long you want with the peace of mind that your opportunities for adventure is only growing.
ONSITE BUSINESSES AND REVENUE STREAMS
COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE:
THE LIFEBLOOD OF HAPPY CASTLE
THE HAPPY CASTLE ECONOMY
At Happy Castle, we envision a thriving ecosystem of dozens of onsite businesses that not only serve our community but also empower our members financially. These businesses will be collectively owned and operated by our community members under a cooperative umbrella, creating a unique model that contrasts sharply with the typical capitalist wage-slavery system many experience today.
In traditional capitalism, individuals often find themselves trapped in a cycle of endless toil at a job that's beneath them for a paycheck that isn't enough. A job where their labor enriches distant corporations and leaves little room for personal fulfillment or financial liberation. In stark contrast, our approach at Happy Castle promotes direct involvement and ownership in our enterprises, allowing members to actively participate in decision-making and reap the rewards of their efforts. By working together, we will cultivate a variety of business ideas—from artisan crafts and local food production to workshops and event hosting—that will generate income for the commune and its members.
While these business concepts are still in the planning stages, our immediate focus will be on the Happy Castle Art Festival, which we aim to establish as our primary source of income in the near future. The festival will serve as a launchpad for our entrepreneurial spirit, attracting visitors who are eager to engage with our artistic offerings and community-driven initiatives. Through the festival and our future businesses, we will lay the foundation for a self-sustaining economy that prioritizes collective well-being and economic freedom for all members of our commune.
These businesses will all play a part in building the self-sufficiency and financial sustainability of Happy Castle, helping us achieve our vision of an income-sharing community that thrives in harmony with the environment. Together, we’re not just building a community; we’re creating a model of economic empowerment that challenges the status quo and redefines success on our terms.
ONSITE BUSINESSES
Communal Revenue for Happy Castle
At Happy Castle, self-sufficiency isn’t just about living off-grid—it’s about creating a framework for financial independence and empowerment for everyone in our community. We aim to break away from the exploitative, unsustainable economic systems that dominate mainstream society and replace them with a model rooted in equity, creativity, and purpose. We believe everyone deserves to make a living doing work that is both meaningful and aligned with their values, and Happy Castle was designed to support that vision.
From the very beginning, our plans for Happy Castle have been built around fostering a spirit of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We’re not just creating a place to live—we’re creating a launchpad for dreams, where members can access the resources, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive. For us, this vision is realized through our cooperative model, where the businesses that generate income for the community are collectively owned and operated by those who live, work, and build them.
Our cooperative will host a variety of businesses that reflect our values of sustainability, artistry, and self-sufficiency. These include educational workshops on sustainable living and off-grid skills, the production of handmade craft goods, the sale of drought-tolerant plants and seeds from our desert nursery, agricultural produce, and large-scale festival events showcasing art and innovation. Together, these ventures will provide meaningful, fulfilling work for our members while also generating the revenue needed to sustain and expand the community.
But these businesses are more than just income sources—they’re extensions of our mission. They allow us to inspire others by demonstrating that eco-village living can be both economically viable and deeply rewarding. By intertwining art, ecology, and community, we’re building an ecosystem that thrives not just for us, but as a model for the world. When one of us succeeds, we all benefit, reinforcing the cooperative ethos at the heart of Happy Castle.
PROFIT
SHARING
Living and working at Happy Castle operates on a shared economy model, where members contribute their time, skills, and talents in exchange for the benefits of communal living and shared financial success. Each member's basic needs—housing, utilities, food, and more—are met through the collective resources of the commune, providing security and freedom from the constraints of traditional wage labor.
Our income model is built on collaboration and shared goals. From our annual Art Festival to merchandise sales, honey and mead production, and various educational workshops, we pool resources to support the community and foster growth. Whether organizing events, managing the desert nursery, or teaching classes, members collectively share the profits generated by these ventures, ensuring everyone benefits from Happy Castle’s success.
This income-sharing structure gives every member a personal stake in the community’s success. Through a range of creative enterprises and entrepreneurial opportunities, members can help build a thriving brand that supports both individual ambitions and Happy Castle’s larger vision. The goal is to create financial stability and wealth for the entire community, allowing everyone to live securely and prosper together.
As our projects flourish, so too does the potential for communal income. Hosting festivals, selling unique products like honey and mead, and offering workshops will generate prosperity for all. By working together, we foster an environment where individual and collective success are deeply intertwined, creating long-term financial security for everyone involved.
THE FESTIVAL
AND CAMPGROUND
PHASE ONE PRIORITIES
At Happy Castle, the festival and campground are the cornerstones of our Phase One development and the foundation of our cooperative businesses. These two ventures are not only integral to our mission of creating a vibrant, self-sufficient community but also serve as our primary fundraising vehicles during this critical stage. Building out the infrastructure needed to host camping and events is our main business objective, as it will provide the resources necessary to sustain and expand Happy Castle.
The campground, encompassing the vast interior of our property, will be a hub for visitors seeking immersive, off-grid experiences. It will feature a range of amenities to accommodate various needs, including open camping sites, RV hookups, power stations, and communal spaces like amphitheaters, bonfires, and shower facilities. This space will operate year-round, generating consistent income while fostering connections among visitors, artists, and members of our community.
Complementing the campground, the Happy Castle Art Festival will be the centerpiece of our event calendar. This multi-day celebration of art, community, and self-expression will transform the entire property into a dynamic festival ground, with interactive art installations, performances, and themed activities. The festival will not only showcase the creativity and ingenuity of our members but also attract a diverse audience, raising awareness and funds to fuel our long-term vision.
By focusing our efforts on these two cooperative businesses during Phase One, we aim to establish a strong financial foundation for Happy Castle. The income generated from the festival and campground will be reinvested into expanding infrastructure, launching additional cooperative ventures, and realizing our broader mission of sustainable living and artistic expression. These businesses embody our commitment to building an inclusive, innovative community that inspires and empowers all who visit.
COMMUNAL LABOR
COLLABORATION & COOPERATION
COLLABORATIVE LABOR SYSTEM
At Happy Castle, members are expected to contribute roughly 40 hours of labor per week. This ensures that everyone has a manageable workload while maintaining the community’s self-sufficiency and progress. The flexibility of work varies depending on the tasks at hand, but the focus is always on a balanced schedule that promotes both productivity and personal time. You might wonder how this is possible with such a traditional 40 hour work week, but at Happy Castle Art Camp, work isn't like the work you do a the job you have now. It's tending to the plants in your garden, feeding your animals, building your home and improving your neighborhood, interacting daily with your friends to solve common problems, making art and exploring ourselves. It's creating abundance for your community, it's important work to help the earth, it's intimate, it's conversational, and it's enriching.
In practice, these hours can be distributed among various areas, from building and maintaining infrastructure to growing food, assisting with onsite businesses, supporting artistic projects, or helping create memorable guest experiences. The rotation of tasks allows members to gain diverse skills and prevents burnout by ensuring that no one is overburdened in any one area. We're developing a work-sharing mobile application so our members, students, and interns can easily pick up shifts and see which areas are staffed or where more help is needed.
This collaborative labor system not only keeps the community running smoothly but also fosters a deeper sense of investment, connection, and shared purpose among all members. Most of the time, it won't even feel like work. You'll be making meals with your best friends, helping your neighbor build their house, mindfully gardening in the greenhouse, instructing a yoga class, or creating art. It's a life of purpose and enrichment, not a daily grind of poverty and alienation.
DAILY STIPEND
MAKE A LIVING DOING WHAT YOU LOVE
Building Happy Castle: A Cooperative Future
For every hour you work at Happy Castle, you earn ownership in the cooperative non-profit enterprise that is Happy Castle Art Camp. The campground, the festivals, the farm, the dome school—everything we create together—makes up our shared wealth. When we combine the skills, creativity, and labor of our collective, the entrepreneurial potential of our cooperative is limitless.
Money talks. If we want to change the world, we have to thrive within a broken system long enough to build a real alternative to the extractive capitalist model. As Happy Castle expands, growth is not our goal—accessibility is. We’re not here to get rich. We’re here to make opting out of the rat race a viable option for more people.
The Pioneers of Happy Castle
In the early days, we have to be realistic—Happy Castle won’t turn a profit overnight. The first few years will be dedicated to fulfilling our Kickstarter campaign and establishing self-sustaining infrastructure: water, power, housing, and, most importantly, a labor force. This means our earliest members won’t be joining a cooperative—they’ll be building one. This is direct action. This is for the visionaries.
The groundwork is laid for a radically unique cooperative lifestyle that blends entrepreneurship, community, and culture. If you are a worldbuilder, this is your blank canvas. I’ve met so many of you already—people disillusioned with a self-destructive, alienating, unsustainable society who want to build a life of community and abundance but don’t know how or where to start.
We don’t have to sit idly by as greed, war, poverty, and environmental collapse destroy the planet. We can fight back—together. Happy Castle Art Camp, our off-grid desert festival, is just the first step. But our greater mission is to inspire a global eco-village movement, expanding through a network of Happy Castle Sister Cities. We will build a better world.
Ownership Through Labor
To ensure fairness while still encouraging growth and inclusivity, we’ve adopted a work-based ownership model:
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Every hour worked earns profit-shares in the cooperative.
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Every day spent building this vision increases your stake in the organization.
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Shares cannot be bought—they must be earned.Long-term commitment and hard work are rewarded with higher stipends and voting power in financial and business decisions.
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Community Camps can establish their own organizational structures and offer their own differential pay-raises.
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While members are expected to contribute to shared projects, entrepreneurship and artistic pursuits are encouraged. Members keep 50% of profits from businesses they develop within the cooperative. Over time, this will create some income stratification—but never at the cost of opportunity for newcomers or the absurd wealth disparity of mainstream society.
Our model balances community values with the business needs of Happy Castle.
A New Economic Vision
For many of us, talking about money is uncomfortable. We know it’s responsible for so many of the world’s evils. But the dream of a moneyless world of abundance won’t be built overnight. It starts with intentional community and reinventing the way we produce and distribute wealth.
We’re not saying our system won’t have its flaws. But we’ve designed participatory processes to adapt and evolve as challenges arise. This cooperative model is our good-faith attempt at reimagining a sustainable economy—one rooted in collective purpose, transparency, and equity.
Those who help build this vision—from the pioneers to future generations—should prosper with it.
📌 All member stipends are internally public and subject to consensus-based referendums.
PAID TIME OFF
BANK YOUR EFFORT FOR A SUNNY DAY
At Happy Castle, we know that building a thriving off-grid community isn’t just about hard work—it’s about balance. Rest, personal growth, and flexibility are essential to creating a sustainable way of life. That’s why we’ve designed a Paid Time Off (PTO) policy that rewards your contributions while ensuring you have the freedom to recharge, pursue personal projects, or handle life’s unexpected challenges.
For every 40 hours you work, you earn 4 hours of PTO, with its cash-out value based on your daily stipend at the time of accrual. This means PTO retains its value without incentivizing members to stockpile it for years just to withdraw a larger sum. Instead, PTO is designed to be used—to rest, travel, create, or even be swapped with other members who need time off.
Unlike traditional workplaces, PTO at Happy Castle rolls over each year with no cap. That’s right—you can save it indefinitely. We encourage this, hoping it can serve as a personal fund or even a form of retirement savings for members. Whether you’re planning a big move, making a major purchase, or facing an unexpected emergency, we want you to have the security to handle it on your terms.
Additionally, the longer you stay, the faster you accrue PTO. For every year of membership, your earning rate increases by half an hour per week. After two years, you’ll earn 5 hours per week; after four years, 6 hours per week—and our longest-term members may earn more than 10 hours of PTO weekly.
By allowing PTO to accumulate without limits, members can take extended sabbaticals, retire with dignity, or even cash out and transition to new projects. PTO can also be gifted to others or converted into a transition stipend if you decide to move on, ensuring you leave Happy Castle with something to show for your time and effort.
Since Happy Castle operates as a cooperative, time-off requests are coordinated within your Camp or Pod to ensure responsibilities are covered. But ultimately, we believe in supporting each other’s needs and dreams. Whether you’re taking time off to create, explore, or simply breathe, we want to make sure everyone has the freedom to build a life—not just a livelihood.
COOPERATIVE BUSINESSES & COMMUNAL WORKSHOPS
At Happy Castle, we believe that true sustainability goes beyond just building homes—it’s about creating a thriving, cooperative economy that supports both the community and its members. That’s why, in addition to shared living spaces, we’re developing communal workshops and business hubs where members can contribute their skills, generate income for the cooperative, and pursue personal creative projects.
These workshops are the beating heart of our economic ecosystem, providing dedicated spaces for hands-on work, innovation, and skill-sharing. From greenhouses that produce food and mead to workshops on natural building techniques, we invest in industries that align with our values of sustainability, self-sufficiency, and education. Our skoolie conversion factory turns old buses into functional tiny homes, while our permaculture and off-grid consulting team helps others build their own sustainable projects. And of course, our festival and campground operations remain a major pillar of our cooperative’s financial health, bringing in revenue while showcasing the creativity and vision that make Happy Castle unique.
What makes this model truly special is its flexibility and accessibility. While these workshops serve as business ventures that sustain the commune, they’re also available for personal use by members—whether that means launching an independent project, experimenting with a new craft, or collaborating on a shared vision. By pooling tools, space, and expertise, we create an environment where people can develop their passions without the financial barriers that exist in traditional workspaces.
This cooperative approach ensures that our economy remains resilient, diverse, and community-driven. Instead of working solely for personal profit, we work together to build something greater—an ecosystem of creativity, sustainability, and mutual support.
PLANNED ONSITE BUSINESSES
THE FUTURE OF THE HAPPY CASTLE COOPERATIVE
Art & Music Festivals
Happy Castle’s festivals will showcase art, music, and sustainability, attracting attendees from around the region. These festivals will be the heart of our revenue, drawing people into our community while generating significant profits that support the commune’s growth and mission.
Earthbag Construction Academy & Contractors
We’ll teach visitors and members alike the techniques of Earthbag construction through workshops and classes, while also contracting our expertise to external clients. This eco-building academy not only helps spread sustainable architecture but also generates revenue through construction projects and training programs.
Merchandise
Our Happy Castle brand will extend beyond our community, offering handmade goods, clothing, and other items produced onsite. Through our festivals and online platforms, we will sell branded merchandise that embodies our message of sustainable living and creativity.
Campsites & Cabin Rentals
Not everyone wants to camp in a tent, and our rentable Superadobe Earthbag domes will provide a more comfortable, immersive experience. These eco-friendly cabins will be scattered throughout the campground, available for rent through Airbnb or directly during festivals, offering premium accommodations for visitors.
Permaculture Farm Tours & Workshops
Happy Castle’s permaculture farm will offer guided tours and hands-on workshops for visitors who want to learn sustainable farming techniques. From desert gardening to water conservation methods, these educational experiences will not only generate revenue but also promote ecological awareness.
Native Plant Nursery
Happy Castle will cultivate and sell native plants and trees suited for desert environments, offering a sustainable solution for landscaping in the region. The nursery will not only supply our own landscaping needs but will also serve local gardeners, developers, and permaculture enthusiasts seeking drought-tolerant flora.
Beekeeping & Honey Sales
Happy Castle will establish beekeeping operations not only to produce honey but also to support our agricultural activities through pollination. Our honey will be sold at local markets and festivals, while beekeeping workshops can offer additional income and educational opportunities.
Bicycle Rental & Repair Shop
A bicycle rental and repair shop will encourage low-impact transportation onsite and offer visitors an alternative way to explore our vast desert campground, particularly during our festivals. This shop will also serve as a repair hub for local cyclists, further engaging with the surrounding community and generating income.
Pottery & Ceramics Studio
Happy Castle will establish a pottery studio where residents and visitors can create their own ceramics, from functional kitchenware to decorative art. The studio will offer workshops, and finished products will be sold onsite, further supporting our artisan economy.
Drive-In Movie Theater
A nostalgic and accessible experience, our drive-in movie theater will offer a unique entertainment option for visitors to the campground. It’s a relatively inexpensive attraction to build and will become an additional income stream, providing both film screenings and other events year-round.
Salsa Production
New Mexico’s climate is ideal for growing green chiles, and we'll be tapping into this regional specialty by producing our own green chile salsa. This local favorite will be sold onsite, at local farmers' markets, and at festivals.
Jujubee Wine/Cider and Mead
Our desert climate is perfect for cultivating Jujubees, a hardy fruit that can be transformed into a unique, flavorful wine. We'll also use the same facilities to produce mead from our onsite beehives, offering a range of organic, locally-made beverages that can be sold at festivals or local stores.
Skoolie Bus Conversion Factory
For members and customers alike, our Skoolie Bus Conversion Factory will turn old school buses into mobile homes. Offering custom builds and streamlined processes, this factory will provide an affordable and sustainable housing option, while generating income for Happy Castle.
Glass Blowing Studio
Our glass-blowing studio will be an artisan workshop open to both visitors and residents, allowing people to learn a new craft and create custom glass pieces. Products created onsite can be sold at the festivals, adding a creative dimension to our revenue streams.
Recording Studio & Happy Castle Record Label
Our professional recording studio will allow musicians to record albums while visiting Happy Castle. Eventually, we plan to expand this into a record label, helping to discover and promote talented artists within our community.
Motorbike Racing Course
We will take advantage of the earthworks projects required for building Happy Castle by developing a motorbike racing course. This course will be available for private events and rentals, adding an adrenaline-filled activity to our already diverse offerings.
Airsoft Course
With our sprawling desert landscape and interactive art installations, we will create an airsoft and paintball course that will attract weekend warriors and event organizers. Using biodegradable bullets, this eco-friendly adventure will add another dimension of fun and income to the camp.
Net-Metering Solar Farm
New Mexico’s sunny climate is perfect for solar energy production, and with net-metering, we’ll eventually be able to sell any excess energy generated onsite back to the grid. In time, our solar farm will become a major revenue source as we expand our capacity beyond Happy Castle's own needs.
Cannabis Farm and Dispensary
Although the initial costs for permitting and licensing are steep, a legal cannabis farm could eventually be a highly profitable enterprise for Happy Castle. While we’re still exploring this option, we see tremendous future potential in vertical integration by operating our own branded dispensary.
Magic Mushroom Cultivation
As interest in plant-based medicine grows, the potential for legal psilocybin mushrooms is enormous. While still speculative, we’re exploring options for growing magic mushrooms under the right legal conditions, contributing to both mental health research and our bottom line.
Bitcoin Mining with Renewables
Some of our members have proposed harnessing excess solar energy to power an off-grid Bitcoin mining operation, transforming what would otherwise be wasted electricity into a dual-purpose system. The waste heat generated by mining rigs can be redirected to warm communal spaces during cold desert nights and winter months, providing a practical and sustainable heating solution for our community. By running our mining operations exclusively on renewable energy, we’re not only generating passive income for Happy Castle but also demonstrating how blockchain technology can be integrated responsibly into an off-grid, eco-conscious lifestyle. While Bitcoin mining is often criticized for its energy consumption and environmental impact, projects like ours prove that with the right infrastructure and intention, it can actually contribute to a greener future.
INDEPENDENT ONSITE BUSINESSES
RESIDENT ENTREPRENEURS
Happy Castle is a community of artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs, built on the belief that fostering creativity and ambition strengthens both individuals and the collective. We value the ingenuity of our members and actively encourage them to pursue personal creative and entrepreneurial ventures while living onsite. Whether it’s crafting art, producing handmade goods, vlogging about off-grid living, or exploring other business ideas, our goal is to support and empower residents to thrive creatively while contributing to the overall success of the community.
To ensure fairness and sustainability, income generated from personal pursuits while living at Happy Castle is subject to an income-sharing agreement. Members contribute 60% of earnings from these activities to the commune treasury. This policy acknowledges the unique benefits provided by living and working at Happy Castle: access to shared resources, tools, and infrastructure; a vibrant, supportive community; and connections fostered through the collective’s reputation and reach. In return, members are freed from the financial and logistical burdens often associated with pursuing independent ventures.
By combining resources, dividing labor, and creating a nurturing environment, Happy Castle allows residents to focus on their passions while contributing to the communal vision. Together, we build a space where individual success and collective prosperity are seamlessly interwoven.
THE SKOOLIE FACTORY
SUSTAINABLE HOUSING ON WHEELS
As part of our commitment to innovation and sustainable living, Happy Castle plans to establish the Skoolie Factory—a dedicated facility for converting retired school buses into functional, beautiful, self-sufficient tiny homes on wheels. Known as skoolies, these homes offer an affordable, sustainable housing solution that aligns perfectly with our vision of radical self-reliance and eco-friendly living.
The Skoolie Factory will be designed to operate as an assembly line, enabling us to rapidly build several skoolies at once, each at a different stage in its conversion. By standardizing production and focusing on a few versatile models and layouts, we can significantly lower conversion costs while ensuring efficiency and quality. Each skoolie will be outfitted with the essentials for off-grid living, including solar power systems, composting toilets, and optimized storage solutions—all guided by the same principles of self-sufficiency and sustainability that define Happy Castle.
Skoolies built at our factory will serve a dual purpose. First, they’ll provide affordable, innovative housing for members of our community, helping us expand while keeping living costs low. Second, they’ll generate consistent revenue for Happy Castle through sales to the public, creating a sustainable business model that supports our broader mission of eco-conscious living.
THE SKOOLIE CONVERSION PROCESS
Transforming a school bus into a home is an art as much as it is a science. The process begins with purchasing retired school buses through government auctions, carefully selecting models that meet structural and mechanical requirements.
Once acquired, the buses are stripped down to their frames to remove existing interiors, seats, and unnecessary components. The next step involves raising the roof to increase headroom, a modification that transforms the interior space and makes it more livable.
Afterward, the bus is fully insulated to regulate temperature and ensure energy efficiency. The interior build-out follows, incorporating functional layouts with kitchens, sleeping areas, storage, and bathrooms designed for comfort and sustainability. Every detail, from the electrical system to the plumbing, is built with off-grid capability in mind.
SKOOLIE SCHOOL
In addition to producing skoolies, the Skoolie Factory will serve as an educational workshop, offering concurrent courses in Skoolie conversion to the public. These programs will teach participants how to undertake their own school bus conversions, empowering visitors to create these beautiful, affordable, and sustainable homes for themselves. By sharing our expertise, we aim to inspire others to implement innovative housing solutions and spread the principles of sustainable living to their communities.