Trading snow boots for Southern comfort – How I moved my automotive restoration shop from British Columbia Canada, to Middle Tennessee USA
I’m honestly not sure where to begin with this story. It’s massive. It’s full of moving parts. There are highs, lows, and more than a few face plants along the way. But I’ll try my best to pick the most informative starting point - about a year ago - when this whole thing officially began.
Step 1 - RECON: Our Journey South
In March of 2025, my wife, 2 of our 3 daughters, our F-150, a 21-foot enclosed trailer, and my freshly Kenne Bell supercharged 1992 Foxbody notchback set off from British Columbia, Canada. Our final destination? Ponies in the Smokies in Sevierville, Tennessee.
None of us had ever been to Tennessee before. But from a distance, we had fallen in love with the idea of it. We left Canada with plenty of time before the show. We wanted to enjoy the drive, take in tall the beautiful sights of the many states and countryside we would cross, and - most importantly - spend some real time in and around the great state of Tennessee to see if it matched the imaginary picture we had built in our minds.
3,300 miles later, we had arrived. We spent our first few days soaking up Middle Tennessee - living among the locals, exploring the landscape, and taking it all in. And let’s just say: it exceeded every expectation we had. We then carried on to Sevierville, met up with friends, and enjoyed a few unforgettable days of Mustang magic at Ponies in the Smokies. And then, like every great trip, it was time to turn around and unwind those 3,300 miles we’d driven to get to Tennessee in order to make our way back home to Canada.
The Drive Home That Changed Everything
Somewhere along that long drive back to Canada - flat tires and all - my wife and I started noticing a trend. No matter what topic we were discussing, the conversation kept circling us back to one thought: “What would it actually be like to live in Middle Tennessee?”
That question travelled all the way home with us and for the next month. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t seem to shake it. Eventually, we stopped treating it like a daydream and decided to dig deeper. We decided to look into what it would take to expand our commercial operations and open KASL Customs LLC in the United States.
The Reality Check
After exhaustive amount of research, we learned a few things quite quickly:
1. This was not going to happen quick.
2. It was not going to be easy.
3. And it was definitely not going to be cheap!
But Tennessee had a firm grip on our hearts so we decided to push on. We booked a complimentary Zoom call with Ashoori Law. Our representative, Harlon, answered all our questions and gave us enough clarity to make an informed decision; but with all that being said, I don’t think there is anything that could have prepared us for the steep climb that was still to come…
Building the Dream Before the Approval
For the type of visa we applied for (E2 visa), there’s a twist: Everything you would normally do after approval has to be done before you even submit your case for review.
Let that sink in.
Before we could apply, we had to:
Set up an LLC
Open a U.S. commercial bank account
Obtain a business license
Lease a commercial space
Purchase commercial insurance
Set up all utilities—power, water, gas, sewer, garbage
Purchase tools and equipment
Establish operational infrastructure
All of this had to be done before knew if we’d even be approved, and most of these financial commitments would continue while we waited… For the next 6 months, the financial and administrative taps were wide open. Retainers, filings, leases, equipment—it was an absolute blur
The Proverbial Interview
Three weeks after submitting our paperwork for pre-approval, we received an email: our case was accepted, and it was time to book our in-person interview at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. The earliest available date was January 29, 2026 so we booked immediately: Flights. Hotel. And all five of us were called to attend.
In the months leading up to the in person interview, we started cleaning out our house and getting our affairs in order in preparation for a positive outcome, even though, the outcome was not guaranteed…
I had never experienced anything like this before. Building a hypothetical future based off of a dream that might never come true.
We flew out of Kelowna international airport on the 27th of January 2026, trading mild weather for 3 feet of snow and brutal cold. Three of five of us got sick during the trip, which only added more layer of stress.
The morning of January 29th 2026, we fought our way through snowbanks and freezing temperatures, lined up single file outside the consulate, went through fingerprinting and passport checks, and finally stood together in front of the interviewing officer. They would ask us: questions about the business and our plans for it, how we funded the business, verification of our kids names and birth dates, what my wife was going to do in the United States, etc. After about 12 minutes of question and answer, our interviewing officer looked at us and said:
“You’re approved. Your passports and visa paperwork will be mailed within the next week and a half.”
What a moment! It was instant emotion. Misty eyes. Overwhelming relief. Joy that hit like a freight train. We tried to hold it together long enough to get out of the building and back into the freezing cold—but once we stepped into the hallway, that was it - we let it all out.
What Happens Now?
As I write this, I’m still sitting in my home garage in British Columbia. There’s still a steep mountain ahead of us before we officially shove off for this new chapter. But here’s what I can proudly say:
KASL Customs LLC is officially open for business in Middle Tennessee.
We’ll be taking on any and all automotive restoration projects of all shapes and sizes while also specializing in Fox chassis Mustangs. Big projects, small projects, dream builds—we’re ready.
This past year has felt like we’ve all been living two full-time lives simultaneously. It’s been taxing. It’s been chaotic. It’s been emotional. But it’s most definitely been worth it!
To the friends and family who answered questions, offered help, gave advice, and supported us through every step of this journey – Thank you very much! We could not have done this without you.
This move is very exciting but it’s also bittersweet. We’re saying “see you later” to some very good friends here in Canada. But we’re also stepping into a new exciting adventure with everything we’ve got.
We hope to see you at Ponies in the Smokies in 2026—our first show as official Tennessee residents.
This story has been full of risk, faith, paperwork, frozen tears, and relentless determination.
And it’s just getting started.
Go Vols.