Meet Sami Jo Lien | Publicist and Airstream Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sami Jo Lien and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sami Jo, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
That’s a hard one sometimes, but I have learned over time that the question isn’t actually “Should I give up?” but “Am I quitting just because it’s hard right now?”

There’s a difference. The right things are often hard: launching a business, pitching media that doesn’t respond (because the world is super crazy right now), renovating a 1978 Airstream while raising small kids. The create work always humbles me, and the growth stretches me every day.

When something is aligned (even when it’s exhausting), there’s still energy and curiosity underneath. When something is wrong, the feeling is so different. It’s not just fatigue, it’s resentment. It’s the sense that you’re betraying yourself to keep proving something.

I don’t believe in dramatic “burn it down” decisions (though, I am a Pisces, so, IFKYK), but sometimes instead of giving up, I pivot. You have to adjust, whether that’s the timeline, how you’re connecting with your customers. It’s usually little shifts to bring back alignment.

Sometimes the braves move isn’t pushing through – it’s letting go so you can build something better, and that is something I do strive for every day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Professionally, I didn’t wake up one day and decide to become an Airstream host. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, design, and creating environments that make people feel welcome. Margo is just that instinct made physical. I learned business from my grandfather. I learned branding and narrative from my career in publicity. And I learned the emotional “why” from becoming a mom.

It wasn’t easy. Renovating a vintage trailer while raising kids and running a business means a lot of late nights and second guesses. There were budget constraints. There were moments where I wondered if it was indulgent or impractical. There were times I thought, “What the heck am I doing. Maybe we should just sell her and skip the whole damn thing.”

What helped me overcome those moments was remembering that small doesn’t mean insignificant. Intimate doesn’t mean less valuable. In fact, sometimes the smallest spaces create the biggest exhale.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned is to slow down. Aesthetics should be rushed. If it feels forced, it probably is.

Margo may look like a vintage camper. But she’s really a tiny love letter to women who need a pause.

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.
Man, lately, my favorite thing to do is to head south to downtown Englewood on South Broadway!

Sauna at R3 Experience
Coffee at Kaladi Roasters (if they have it, pick up a Miso Buttered Toast Cookie – OMG)
Grab a delicious vegan dinner at Fellow Traveler, or Ramen and Vietnamese Coffee at Zomo
Cross the street for my very favorite pistachio cannoli at Gallo’s Italian Supper Club
Hit a live show at The Gothic Theatre

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Hahaha – lthe shoutout goes to all the women in my life who are tired – and still working their tails off to make their dreams a reality. Truly – we’re all terrible at putting ourselves first (especially moms), and I like that Margo reminds you that you should! Support your local girl gang.

I also have to shout out our guests that have come to stay with Margo in her first year. Friends who book a night away just to experience the vibe. Couples who come for a fun weekend and a concert at Red Rocks. Parents in town to visit their new grandbabies and need a soft place to land. Men who love the vintage charm of an Airstream and want something comfortable and reminiscent of their younger days, but still comfortable with all the bells and whistles. Margo only works because people choose to step inside and slow down.

She may technically be mine – but she’s really a shared space.

Website: https://margotheoc.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/margotheoc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthalien/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/margotheoc

Image Credits
Me