Debby Richman serves as Chief Marketing Officer for the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. Founded in 1999 when it mounted its first tiny home to a trailer, Tumbleweed Tiny House Company designs and builds small, archetypal houses-to-go, ranging from 117 to 172-square feet.

Along with delivering houses-to-go, Richman’s company also offers workshops, building plans, educational materials and trailers to support customers who want build-it-yourself options.

Richman was drawn to Tumbleweed due its reputation and the large demand for well-designed, comfortable living in smaller spaces. Prior to joining Tumbleweed, Richman held marketing leadership roles at Overstock, About.com and Looksmart, helping to grow each brand with a mix of direct, branding and digital approaches. Richman began her career at D&B within its then-owned Nielsen divisions.

After earning her BA from Middlebury, Richman received an MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School (which means she enjoys the great outdoors).

Deborah Richman

CMO @ Tumbleweed Tiny House Co.

• Age: 53
• HQ: Sonoma, CA
• Apple or Android? Both

• First Job: Job Pricing Estimator
• Favorite Band: Red Hot Chili Peppers
• First Car: ’67 Cougar

What mobile device can you not live without?

My Samsung – it has a decent screen and the old-style flip-out keyboard.

Can we take a look at it?

What app do you use most often for work?

Company email and Skype.

What social media network or website do you frequent most when you’re not working?

Facebook, and I read design, news and mountain media sites.

What’s the first thing you check on your phone in the morning?

Company email and texts.

What work challenge keeps you up at night?

Creative targeting, and driving productive growth.

What was your most exciting work development last year?

The most exciting thing in 2013 for Tumbleweed was the growth in our tiny house sales, along with DIY services. Using a direct and digital marketing approach has worked well, tapping into consumers who aspire to live or use a tiny house for many different reasons.

What other career would you like to try?

I’d like to try being an online editor and columnist, general news.

What does your desk look like?

I have the paper-less office look at day’s end.

What is the last business book you read?

Moneyball by Michael Lewis…long after seeing the movie.

Outside of your company’s efforts, what ad campaign or video caught your eye recently?

Patagonia’s Black Friday campaign to repair and not buy new clothes.