We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Ponzi & Matthew Gillan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian & Matthew, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
During the pandemic, we saw an opportunity that everything would be moving outdoors. We saw the others were using trailers as bars or a event vessel to enhance the event and or brand experience. After doing some extensive research on competition in the area, we saw some mobile bars were already in the San Diego area. All of them were painted white and targeted the dream wedding crowd. We saw this as an opportunity to target a different kind of audience, ones who do not necessarily want the basic wedding or event. Also, apart of our business model is to partner with brands to help promote their products at festivals, farmers markets, and tradeshows. We see a huge opportunity to help local brands stand out in the crowd and using custom branding on the side of our trailer can make their dream a reality.

What should our readers know about your business?
Most proud of the construction side of the trailer. We took a 1958 Westerner Camper trailer and gutted the entire thing down to the studs. And rebuild it from the ground up. Both of us not coming from a construction back ground, and just watching YouTube and googling “How too” we were able to completely restore and rebuild a functioning mobile bar out of a historic classic trailer. No, it was not anywhere near easy, as we always ran into complications and most of the time it was trial and error to make things work.

We learned alot about construction and working together to highlight our strengths. Hardwork and creativity was our key to success in rebuilding this trailer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Take them to downtown Encinitas and Leaucadia.

Favorite Eats: Ob Noodle House
Hanging out at Del Mar Dog Beach
Best spot for an afternoon beverage: Lahianas beach house PB, Beachside Encinitas

Exciting new places: Oceanside/Carlsbad has really developed over the years, with cool shops and restaurants, we really enjoy spending time there on the weekends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to our Significant others, Coco and Jillian, Friends and Family for all supporting us making our dream a reality. Putting up with a year of turning this idea into a business has taken a lot of hard work and support from everyone around us. Without them this would have never got off the ground.

Thank you to them!

Website: neatcamper.com

Instagram: @Neatcamper

Facebook: Neat Camper

Image Credits
Mitchell Griffith @Mitchtookthis

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