Our Roots Run Deep - Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors Magazine

Meet Aaron and Hayley Gabriel

By Carly Agnew

For Aaron Gabriel, life with Hayley began in high school, when he carried a not-so-secret crush on her. She was two years older, and while the timing wasn’t right, Aaron held out hope for the future. In their mid-twenties, when Hayley came home to visit family, Aaron mustered his courage and asked her out. Their first date—lunch at Syringa—marked the beginning of a relationship that has kept them inseparable ever since.

A love for baseball shaped much of Aaron’s early life. In 2002, he was drafted by the Florida Marlins and named Idaho’s Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year. Instead of heading into the minor leagues, he chose to play college ball in Arizona, a decision that eventually led him down an entrepreneurial path. After a few years working with Western States Caterpillar, Aaron co-founded Hubworks Interactive at age 24. The company developed software that allowed restaurant guests to order and pay at the table, attracting major clients including Buffalo Wild Wings and Hard Rock Café.

That venture sparked a passion for business. Aaron went on to run a marketing agency, flip homes, and manage downtown vacation rentals with Hayley. Together, they discovered how much they loved developing properties. “During this time, there was a huge demand for apartments and rental properties because the cost to buy a home was out of reach for many locals,” Aaron recalls. With local attorney and business partner Brian Bean, they launched Big Tree Development. As the business matured, it made sense to be vertically integrated so they expanded into construction and a partnership with Barry Johnson.

At its core, Big Tree Construction & Development is built on the idea of turning visions into high-quality housing solutions that meet the needs of both communities and residents through ethical practices and financial transparency. Aaron and the Big Tree team approach each project as more than just construction—it’s an opportunity to give back. With creativity and genuine care, they work to design spaces where future residents will feel proud to come home and eager to share their space with others. A strong sense of duty to long-term sustainability guides their decisions, and the question “How can we inspire others?” informs every planning session.

Meanwhile, Hayley grew up playing soccer and went on to compete at the college level. As the daughter of nationally acclaimed, local artist Stephen Shortridge, much of her childhood was spent in the studio or gallery, watching her dad bring canvases to life. That early exposure shaped her love of expression and gave her an eye for beauty and detail.

As Aaron developed Big Tree, Hayley was growing True Life Canvas, a premier med spa in Coeur d’Alene that has been helping clients feel beautiful and confident since 2012. Specializing in permanent makeup and inspired cosmetic artistry, the studio offers expert care designed to enhance natural beauty and empower confidence—especially for women facing medical challenges.

Hayley recently sold True Life Canvas and is now returning to her more artistic roots with the launch of her own studio, Ink & Easel. This new venture allows her to blend her lifelong passion for art with her professional journey, with a place where she can both create and inspire others.\

Life at home is lively and full of adventure. Their daughters, Charli, 11, and Izzy, 9, follow in their parents’ footsteps, playing soccer, basketball, and softball. The family embraces all that North Idaho has to offer—skiing and snowboarding in the winter, fly fishing, hunting, hiking, and bicycling in the warmer months.

Traditions are an important part of their rhythm. Every year, they journey to Philipsburg, Montana, for a family fly fishing trip on Rock Creek, and summers are filled with weekends camping along the Coeur d’Alene River with loved ones. Travel is woven into their story, from local adventures to the month they spent exploring Italy and Switzerland—an experience that left them with unforgettable memories.

Their menagerie adds a playful touch to daily life. They care for five chickens and a hamster, while two rabbits live with the grandparents. Luna, their bernedoodle, is a loving presence, and the household is buzzing with excitement as they prepare to welcome a new mini-bernedoodle puppy this month.

For the Gabriels, community service runs deep. Aaron’s mom, Lisa Kinsey, worked as a secretary at Canfield Middle School and Woodland Elementary, where she quietly became a source of care for countless students. Aaron recalls how she often went above and beyond—buying lunches for kids who didn’t have money, slipping school supplies into backpacks, and even giving kids a ride home when needed. These small acts left a lasting impression on Aaron. He learned that community isn’t just built through big gestures, but through the simple ways we care for each other.

Aaron’s core values were also shaped by his dad, Kenny Gabriel, who protected others as a firefighter—and eventually served as Coeur d’Alene’s fire chief for nearly 20 years. Despite long hours and the demands of his job, Kenny made time to support Aaron’s passion for baseball, often driving him to pitching lessons in Lewiston. Those hours on the road weren’t just about playing ball; they showed Aaron what commitment looks like, both to family and to community. “It’s been inspiring to see my parents dedicate their lives and careers to this community,” Aaron reflects.

When asked about his own neighborhood involvement, Aaron laughs: “Snow plowing!” But in truth, the Gabriel family has found countless ways to give back.

Both Aaron and Hayley speak of lessons learned on the field—the sense of community, the discipline required to grow, the confidence that comes from pushing past limits, and the resilience forged through challenges and setbacks. These experiences didn’t just make them better athletes; they helped mold them into the people they are today. Now, they are investing into the next generation, encouraging their own kids and others to pursue sports as a way to grow. “It isn’t just about competition,” Hayley shares. “It’s about preparing young people for life.”

The phrase “pressure is a privilege” carries deep meaning for them. Comparing life’s lessons to the challenges of competitive sports—the weight of a big game, the grind of training, or the sting of a tough loss—they see pressure as a catalyst for growth. It’s a sign that you’ve earned the opportunity to step up, that you’re trusted with responsibility, and that you’re performing at a level where it truly matters. In life and in business, pressure tests character, builds resilience, and reveals what people are capable of achieving.

From a high school crush to a life full of adventure, entrepreneurship, and family traditions, Aaron and Hayley Gabriel have built something truly special in Coeur d’Alene—a home with a view, and a life full of gratitude. As they often remind their children, the moments that feel the hardest are often the moments of greatest growth—and we can remind ourselves of that, too. Pressure isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace with gratitude, a sign that you’ve been entrusted with an opportunity not everyone receives. It’s a lesson that guides their lives, shaping the way they approach family, community, and the work they love—and that’s what builds a beautiful legacy.

To learn more about the Aaron’s work in the community, visit Big Tree Construction & Development at gobigtree.com and to explore Hayley’s artwork and permanent cosmetics, check out inkandeasel.art. And if you see the Gabriels out and about—whether on the soccer sidelines, camping by the river, or enjoying a sunny day downtown—be sure to say hello!