It is a new year. 2020. And the middle of Winter.

I have been thinking a lot about seasons lately. That there are seasons in life just as there are seasons in nature. Time to dig in. Time to step back. “To everything there is a season” or so say The Byrds in their famous song. And here I find myself in the midst of change. Just as most trees around me have shed their leaves to make way for the new growth spring will bring, so too is one part of my life shifting making way for more growth. Make shift happen, they say. So here is my story of change and growth.

Last year, I had reached a point where I felt I was not the right person to take Campfire to the next level. And so, I did some soul searching to understand what was the right next step for me, as a person, and for us, as a company. What I knew for sure was that I needed to take a step back and recover as an entrepreneur. (Burnout is real). And, yet, I was certain I still wanted the company to grow. To continue thriving. To make that happen, I would need to partner with someone I trusted, who respected the brand, and had the skills necessary to achieve a shared vision of authentic growth.

So, ok, I am a pisces and a dreamer (typical) but my feet have always been firmly planted on the ground. I cringe at the word “manifest”. I’ve never believed that you can call something into being. Rather, I believe that anything achieved takes hard work. But on occasion the right next step seems to unfold clearly right before you in an act of kismet. As fate would have it, an old friend and serial entrepreneur reached out to me asking a simple question: had I considered bringing Campfire Experience to Southern California?

As an aside, some of you may know Los Angeles is my place of birth. But, no, I hadn’t considered it. Yet, Pete and his wife Megan were exactly the kind of partners I was looking for. Smart, kind, trusted, and fun. And, moreover, they have the rare experience of building and growing multiple successful businesses. And, so, through many detailed and honest conversations with them, I have come to the decision to move Campfire Experience operations to Los Angeles. A homecoming of sorts.

While I was born in Los Angeles, Columbus Ohio is where I called home. It is where I grew up. Where I built a community of loving beautiful people who supported me and my wild ideas. You are all more than clients and followers. And you know this.

I’ve seen your children grow up at our campfire sessions. You’ve let us in to celebrate your most sacred occasions. You’ve stopped me to share your favorite childhood memories of camping and finding joy in nature. To hug me and thank me for helping make your dream come true. I remember these conversations, these memories, these hugs, and on occasion these happy tears. In this very moment, they are bringing happy tears to my eyes. How you have always welcomed me and the campfire team into your lives is something I will forever hold dear. This is and always will be more than a business. This is a community. And one I am humbled and honored to share in with you.

Soon, we will be introducing our new partners, Pete and Megan, to you. And we will share their stories. As for me, I will remain involved as founder and creative director to continue to implement the vision of The Campfire Experience. The difference now, is that we will be heading further west with so much gratitude for our midwest roots. And even more gratitude for our incredible community.

Now, as I proudly look to the future, we hope you wish us well. Our vision is to grow and come back the community we have known and loved. But for now, we head west. And we hope you come to visit. You are always welcome and will always be the original Campfire Fam.

Thank you and I love you, more than you may ever really know.

All my love,

Amy