Meet Cameron Nelson | Owner & Creative Director of Pilgrim Design CO.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cameron Nelson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cameron, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
This effort began in 2014 as an idea for an after-hours design studio, while working full-time in advertising during the day. Over the years, I was enjoying creating my own designs so much so that I decided to step into making outdoor apparel and goods to express my perspective. I focused on work that reflected the spirit of the mountains. In the last year, I began taking less client work and focusing more on the business side of running an apparel company in my after-hours.

The work appeals to friends that hunt in Nebraska as much as someone who enjoys summiting a mountain. I like to bridge those audiences. What sets my business apart is that it’s built on the power of design and not some marketing strategy to drive growth. I just enjoy creating the work and sharing it with friends and followers. I’m driven by disrupting the outdoor industry with genuine designs that feel human and not made in some corporate vacuum. Success does not come easy; I’ve been in the creative industry for over 13 years professionally. But outdoor apparel for a little over a year and still learning a lot. I have seen my fair share of challenges, everything from design or ideas being ripped off to doors being closed because of the “big” guys in the industry. Being rejected is part of the business. I approach my business with the mantra of “Bound to Wander.” It doesn’t matter what is going on, I am bound to wander into a river to fish, a favorite hiking trail, or my local watering hole for a drink. Wandering helps me mellow.

Ultimately, Pilgrim Design Company grew from adventures in the mountains to the oceans and everything in between. Our designs act as a reminder to roam, remembering to be a nomad in this modern world. Whether we’re stuck working at our desks or planning our next trip, our wanderlust drives us to break from our daily routines. Our apparel and goods fight against the mass-produced market by creating small runs of carefully, crafted designs.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I balance a full-time design job for a tech company while building Pilgrim on the side. That means I sacrifice weekends, evenings, and other days I want to get outside to help this business run. It’s the most rewarding when I get to go to a market and have a table in front of real people. I worked in retail in college and learned to really enjoy interacting with customers. So thankful to everyone for supporting Pilgrim.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Depending on the hatch, we would most likely go up the Poudre Canyon or head as far West as Steamboat to camp and fish. Fish in favorite spots and explore others. Trek a couple of days in the Zirkel Wilderness mid-way as we head back to Laporte. Fit in one more morning or afternoon of fishing. Back in Laporte we would drink at the Swing Station. Ideally there would be live music there too. Eventually grabbing a burger at The Forks Restaurant in Livermore. In general, just quality time outside together making memories.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, my wife should get a lot of credit because she helps me balance a lot of my ideas, hobbies outside of work, and in general, makes life rich. The encouragement and support of my friends has really helped my business get brand recognition in Fort Collins area and beyond. Especially my friend Ian who lent his talented eye to photograph our products and help us launch. One of my favorite stories was during that photoshoot I convinced another buddy to get back into fly fishing because we were spending all day on the river. It’s cool when the work I do encourages others to get outside, especially the people you know and care about. I do recommend the book “Marketing Lessons from The Grateful Dead” for anyone who is looking to market their brand in a genuine way: “:https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/books/marketing-lessons-from-the-grateful-dead

Website: https://www.pilgrimdesign.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilgrim.design/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimdesignco

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PilgrimDesignCompany

Image Credits
Ian Orion (McNeil) Website: https://www.ianorion.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianorion/