Backyard Canvas brings glamping to backyards, campgrounds and more. Photos: Elizabeth Kriel
A youth-run business offers unique glamping options.
What began as a fun idea for a Woodbury family has grown into a youth-run business that is creating memorable experiences across the Twin Cities. Backyard Canvas, owned and operated by Reese and Lilly Kriel, ages 15 and 13, brings a chic camping experience to backyards, campgrounds and more. “We offer birthday parties, girls’ nights, family movie nights and all kinds of celebrations,” says Lilly, an eighth grader at Lake Middle School. “We started with just one tent, and now the business has really grown.”
The original idea came from Reese and Lilly’s mom, Elizabeth Kriel, when she saw a large canvas tent in a neighbor’s backyard in 2022. The Kriel family started the business together, but soon Reese and Lilly wanted to take over. Overjoyed by their enthusiasm, Elizabeth and her husband, Nathan Kriel, used it as an opportunity for several life lessons. “They do all the work,” Elizabeth says, adding that she oversees initial calls and transports the teens to and from sites.
What started as one tent has expanded to include bedding and cots, lanterns and lights, a projector and screen, and tables for outdoor movie nights. Clients can choose between a 16- or a 20-foot tent. “It’s like glamping,” Lilly says, adding that she loves the cozy setup.
Backyard rentals are the most popular; however, the tents can be set up at other locations as well. Like a well-oiled machine, Elizabeth says, when they get on site, everyone has the routine tasks they excel at. Although both Reese and Lilly handle all parts of the business, Reese enjoys the logistics and heavy lifting, while Lilly takes the reins of presentation and networking. “Every driveway is different,” Elizabeth says of the path to get to the tent’s final destination, which is typically backyards. “There are hills, gates, small spaces, and Reese always has a plan.”
Lilly, 13, and Reese, 15, Kriel are the faces behind Backyard Canvas. The teenagers are excited to learn more about entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, Lilly has taken over as the face of the business, even serving as the youngest member of the Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce. Last year, she was honored with the Game Changer Award at the Helping Others Win Company’s 2025 HOW Conference, a leadership conference for women. The award is given to a go-getter who has grown their business exponentially over the past year.
Elizabeth is noticeably proud of her children, highlighting the strong work ethic they’re learning at a young age. “They’re learning that these are paying clients and being on time and being reliable with good customer service is really important,” she says. Lilly agrees. “We are learning about teamwork and who is really good at what,” she says. It has offered more to Elizabeth too. The opportunity to spend extra time with her children has emerged as a special, unexpected experience. “I love being in the car with my teenagers,” she says. “I might not get this time otherwise.”
Backyard Canvas’s season runs April through November, as Minnesota weather allows, and nearly every summer weekend has at least one or two tents booked.
Looking toward this season, Lilly says she and her brother are considering purchasing another 20-foot tent, as that accommodates more people and is the most popular. “We also have started doing living room setups,” she says. “It can be a spot to hangout.”
Backyard Canvas has proven to be successful for the Kriel family, not just in popularity, but in bringing an already close family even closer. The siblings are hopeful about continuing down the path of being entrepreneurs, and they’re getting more experience, one tent at a time.
Backyard Canvas
Instagram: @backyardcanvasmn
