A couple from Ohio have built a business generating more than $1 million in annual revenue by transforming shipping containers into high-end holiday accommodation. Seth and Emily Britt founded The Box Hop in 2018, betting that travellers would seek more immersive and design-led stays rather than conventional short-term rentals.
© The Box Hop
Located in Ohio's Hocking Hills region, the business now operates six container-based holiday homes and a wedding venue, alongside construction, interior design and cleaning services. The Britts' first three-container property was fully booked for two consecutive years, highlighting strong demand for what Emily Britt described as "experiential hospitality".
The couple explored expanding into North Carolina and Michigan, purchasing properties in 2021 and 2022. However, rising interest rates and concerns over profitability and operational strain led them to sell both sites by 2025. Seth Britt said scaling too quickly risked damaging the business, adding that growth without clear purpose could cause a company to "implode".
© The Box Hop
Rather than geographic expansion, the focus has shifted to offering container construction and design expertise to short-term rental owners nationwide. Despite the workload, the Britts say the trade-off has been worthwhile, citing greater freedom and family time compared with traditional employment.
Source: www.businessinsider.com
