Meet Carly Johnston | Co-Owner Weekend Vans

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

Hi Carly, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Weekend Vans was born from a desire to make camper vans that were both affordable and family-friendly. After dealing with unreliable VWs and not wanting to take on a second mortgage for a van, we decided to build our own. Our goal was simple: create a reliable van with everything you need and nothing you don’t—perfect for daily driving and weekend adventures.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Weekend Vans was created to bring affordable, family-friendly camper vans to the market, and that’s what sets us apart. We’re proud to offer reliable, thoughtfully designed vans that work as both a daily driver and an adventure vehicle. Getting here wasn’t easy—we faced our share of challenges, from navigating the logistics of van builds to standing out in a competitive market. But we leaned on our community, stayed true to our vision, and learned a lot about perseverance and the importance of staying adaptable. We want the world to know that we’re passionate about helping families get outside and enjoy life on the road without breaking the bank

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.
This is our sweet spot! We’d start by hopping in the van and heading to the Carlsbad campgrounds for the weekend. We’d catch a live show at the Camp Store and soak in the beach vibes. From there, we’d bike over to Regal Seagull in Leucadia for some of the best food in North County—great bites, craft beers, and a laid-back vibe. The days would be filled with beach hangs, surfing, and exploring the local shops. It’s all about good food, great company, and catching the best sunsets the coast has to offer

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?
We’ve been incredibly lucky to have so much help and encouragement along the way. From friends who backed our business from day one, to fellow van builders in North County like Compass and Suha, who embraced us and welcomed us into the community. Mercedes-Benz Hoehn also looked out for us in those early years, helping us navigate the industry. We couldn’t have done it without all of them

Website: https://www.weekendvans.com

Instagram: @weekendvans

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weekendvans

Image Credits
Levi Thompson Media