About
Ben and Lexi Peterson, the carefully curated faces behind the "Go Small. Live Large!" brand, have built a digital empire on a simple, yet deeply resonant, premise: "Financial Independence through Intentional Living." They project an image of authentic, down-to-earth homesteading, a life of self-reliance forged in a custom-built tiny home outside Boise, Idaho. Yet, beyond the DIY projects and rustic charm lies a well-built business operation, a history marked by a significant ethical controversy, and a carefully constructed narrative that transformed them from debt-strapped millennials into leading figures of the modern creator economy.
Go Small. Live Large!: How It Started
The story begins not in a pastoral field, but on a university campus. Lexi, born May 14, 1988, in Olathe, Kansas, and Ben, born September 2, 1987, in Boise, Idaho, first crossed paths while attending Brigham Young University. The Caucasian couple, standing at 5'8" and 6'2" respectively, pursued conventional career paths; Lexi studied nursing and Ben focused on finance. After marrying in 2010, they entered the professional world, with Lexi taking a position as a Registered Nurse in a pediatric unit and Ben landing a job in corporate finance at Micron Technology.
The weight of student loans and a mortgage soon became a source of significant stress. This financial pressure was the crucible from which their brand was forged. In 2017, they launched a blog focused on the "aggressive debt-paydown strategies" they were employing in their own lives. The content resonated, and a YouTube channel followed in 2018. That same year, a trip to Scandinavia proved to be a critical inflection point, exposing them to minimalist design and alternative living concepts. This experience pushed a strategic pivot away from pure personal finance and toward the growing tiny living movement.
Go Small. Live Large! Content: From Budgets to Homesteading
The channel's evolution reflects the couple's own life journey. What began as a spartan chronicle of budgets and spreadsheets blossomed into a visual feast of do-it-yourself construction, home design, and, eventually, a broader philosophy of intentional living. The core brand tagline, "Financial Independence through Intentional Living," became the central pillar of their content, effectively bridging their financial origins with their new lifestyle focus. In recent years, their content has matured again. Following the birth of their third child, a daughter named Wren in early 2023, the Petersons have shifted their focus to "sustainable homesteading" on the 5-acre plot of land where their tiny home now sits, documenting their efforts in gardening, animal husbandry, and raising a young family off the beaten path.
How Go Small. Live Large! Makes Money
Behind the folksy aesthetic is a multi-pronged revenue machine. The Petersons' income is diversified across YouTube AdSense, extensive affiliate marketing with major retailers like Amazon and Home Depot, and high-value sponsored content deals with brands such as Lowe's and SimpliSafe. They have also developed a line of digital products, including the e-books "The Downsize Manifesto" and "Weekend DIY Warrior."
All business activities are funneled through their corporate entity, B&L Peterson Ventures LLC. A review of their corporate records, however, reveals a significant detail. The registered agent and address for their LLC are linked to over 50 other entities owned by prominent social media influencers. While not illegal, this is a common, if opaque, practice for liability shielding and tax optimization, suggesting a level of business savvy that contrasts with their public-facing image of simple living.
Go Small. Live Large!'s Community and Partnerships
The Petersons have skillfully integrated themselves into the creator and tiny home communities. They have produced successful collaboration videos with major YouTube channels, including travel vloggers "Kara and Nate" and the popular DIY channel "The Sorry Girls." Their influence extends beyond the screen. The couple are active members of the Tiny Home Industry Association (THIA), a key trade organization. Ben Peterson holds a position of significant responsibility within the group, serving as its official Treasurer.
Go Small. Live Large!: The Apex Homes Controversy
The brand's trajectory has not been without serious turbulence. In 2021, the Petersons were embroiled in a controversy that struck at the heart of their brand's perceived authenticity. An expose by the online watchdog publication "Influencer Watch" revealed an undisclosed financial relationship with a tiny home builder, Apex Homes.
The Petersons had featured an Apex Home in a popular 12-part video series, framing its selection as an independent, merit-based consumer choice. The investigation alleged that, contrary to this portrayal, the couple had received a 70% discount on the unit in exchange for the extensive media coverage. The backlash was swift and severe. In response, the couple executed a two-part public apology: first, a written statement on their blog, followed by a 22-minute YouTube video. In their own words, they admitted to a "major ethical lapse" and a "failure in transparency." While the Federal Trade Commission did not take formal action, the incident is frequently cited in media and academic circles as a textbook example of the need for stronger influencer disclosure regulations.
Philanthropy and Impact
Following the 2021 controversy, the Petersons made a visible effort to engage in public-facing charitable work. In 2022, they announced a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. This collaboration culminated in the donation of a fully-furnished tiny home to a family in need within their local Boise, Idaho community, an act they documented for their audience.
Go Small. Live Large! Today
Today, Ben and Lexi Peterson continue to operate "Go Small. Live Large!" from their 5-acre homestead. Their content, now centered on raising their three children and pursuing a more sustainable lifestyle, still commands a substantial audience. They have successfully navigated a near-career-ending controversy, demonstrating a resilient ability to adapt their narrative and business model. The Petersons' journey—from financially-strapped professionals to lifestyle leaders, from transparency advocates to subjects of an ethics investigation—offers a clear look at the complexities, contradictions, and lucrative potential of building a life, and a living, in the public eye.