In the middle of the pandemic, Precious Price made a bold move. To keep her Airbnb income flowing while staying safe, she decided to build a tiny home—right in her own backyard.
What started as a $35,000 accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project soon evolved far beyond passive income. Over five years, it became a catalyst for personal growth, family support, and a thriving business.
As seen in Millionaire MNL, Price’s journey highlights how rethinking space can unlock surprising opportunities—for finances, relationships, and community building.
A pandemic pivot sparks new possibilities
Operating short-term rentals in Atlanta became difficult as COVID-19 disrupted travel. Price, already hosting Airbnb guests in her primary home, saw an opportunity: convert a lofted shed into a livable 296-square-foot tiny home.
Hooked up to her main utilities, the ADU was completed in March 2021, slightly over budget but full of potential. She listed it on Airbnb, charging $89 to $129 per night. Thanks to her docuseries, Going Tiny, it quickly became a guest favorite.
“The joy was seeing people enjoy a space I envisioned and built from scratch,” Price shared.
Aligning income with impact: From short-term stays to long-term housing
By 2022, Price faced a values-based dilemma. While profiting from Airbnb, she grappled with local housing insecurity. Inspired by this tension, she pivoted to mid- and long-term rentals, offering the ADU to grad students and traveling professionals for around $1,300 a month.
The move still generated income but felt more aligned with her mission: creating accessible housing within the community.
Living small for a reset — and renewed financial freedom
After a personal breakup in early 2023, Price turned the ADU into her own sanctuary. For six months, she embraced tiny living while renting rooms in her main house to students for $2,725 monthly.
The shift lowered her expenses, supported her healing, and transformed how she viewed the space—not just as an investment, but as a home.
Supporting family through flexible living
Later in 2023, when her younger sister and fiancé moved to Atlanta expecting their first child, Price offered them the ADU. Rent-free at first, then contributing $1,200 a month, the arrangement provided stability without the burden of high rent.
“It’s not a traditional setup, but it’s deeply fulfilling,” Price said. Daily interactions, shared meals, and mutual support redefined what family living could look like.
As seen in Millionaire MNL, Price’s experience shows how creative housing solutions like ADUs foster community and strengthen family bonds in urban settings.
From personal project to business venture
In 2024, Price’s youngest sister joined the family in Atlanta for college. Though not living on-site, her presence cemented a broader family network of support.
Today, the original backyard tiny home still houses Price’s sister and her growing family. But its impact has extended far beyond her property lines.
Through her company Gather ADU, Price now helps others build similar spaces. With most projects in California and their first Georgia ADU breaking ground this year, her vision of flexible, community-centered housing continues to expand.
“ADUs aren’t just about housing,” Price reflects. “They’re about possibility, connection, and creating room to grow.”
Source: cnbc
