We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brady Brim-DeForest. Check out our conversation below.
Brady, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
How much people crave intentional simplicity. We built Camp DeForest around this idea of ‘analog luxury’ – quiet mornings, real conversations, mid-century environments that feel lived-in. What’s surprised me most is how deeply that resonates with guests of all ages. People don’t just want amenities; they want to exhale. They want a place where time slows down. I knew that would appeal to some, but I didn’t expect it to become the thing guests talk about the most.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Brady Brim-DeForest, founder of Camp DeForest. I spend my life building things—companies, books, historic restorations – but this project is the one closest to my heart because it’s about creating a place where people can feel something real. Camp DeForest celebrates the simple magic of Maine: cabins in the pines, thrift-store treasures, strong coffee, a crackling fire. We’re building a brand that feels like childhood memories you somehow get to experience again – but elevated, intentional, and deeply welcoming.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that shaped me was realizing that joy is an underappreciated form of value. We talk a lot about productivity and optimization, but people are desperate for delight—little moments that feel real and unpolished. Once I understood that, it changed the way I build things. Camp DeForest is essentially a monument to that idea.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
For a long time, I believed speed was everything. Move fast, ship fast, fix it later. Then I launched something before it was ready, and it fell flat. That failure taught me that pace matters, but pace with intention matters more. Now I focus on getting the soul of something right before scaling it. Camp DeForest was built slowly on purpose – and it shows.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Joy as a design principle. It sounds soft, but it’s actually a discipline. I protect the value that experiences should have delight baked into them – moments that feel real, unexpected, and human. People need more joy in their lives, not more optimization.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
That nostalgia isn’t about the past—it’s about safety. People respond so strongly to the Camp DeForest experience because it evokes a time when life felt simpler, slower, more grounded. Understanding that has shaped how I design spaces, brands, and experiences: give people a place where their nervous system can finally relax.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.campdeforest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campdeforestme
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/bradybd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CampDeForest
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/camp-deforest-lincolnville
- Other: https://www.brimdeforest.com
Image Credits
Kody Theriault
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