I’m quite proud of myself, which is not an easy feeling for me. I’m a constant doubter who struggles with self-belief. Still, this milestone showed me that I need to keep trusting that great things will come when I continue sharing my message about how nature heals and why enjoying the outdoors is beneficial for our mental health.

How does this relate to ENO? (Eagle Nest Outfitters)

Well, here’s the LONG story: I went from driving an hour and a half to Orlando over 10 years ago to buy their first color line hammock (pre-Amazon days!) to now owning three ENO hammocks, each with a story, that have become extremely sentimental.

My first introduction to the love of the outdoors was competitive golf. My best friend, Lauren, is always up for a fun challenge and adventure. After golf season, we needed a new hobby, and when my brother showed us his ENO hammock, we became obsessed. We decided to drive over an hour in that notorious I-4 Orlando traffic to Dick’s Sporting Goods to get our own and become spontaneous hammockers (a term we created).

The hammocks soon became our identity. I bought a Charcoal/Red DoubleNest Hammock, and Lauren bought a Marine/Cedar DoubleNest Hammock. Soon, our backpacks, water bottles, and even hiking clothing matched them. We created an Instagram called Spontaneous Hammockers and traveled around central Florida looking for spots to “hang.” This was before everyone focused on monetization; we just did it to be goofy and show our fun hangs.

The Hammock, My True Constant

That Instagram didn’t last long, as we both went off for our life endeavors of going to college and Lauren joining the Navy. But our hammocks still got a lot of action during our coming-of-age years! From hanging at college campuses, Navy bases, the beach, state parks, and cozy trees, our hammocks were always with us. I’ve held onto my first hammock for over 10 years. SO many memories have been made, and it’s crazy to think of all the happy stories it’s brought into my life.

Lauren and I were so obsessed, we bought a second one just because. But, in the colors we actually wanted! I bought my second, a neon yellow, blue, and pink SingleNest Hammock, in my first college town in Savannah, Georgia. She found her Red, White, and Blue SingleNest Hammock while stationed in Hawaii. We dubbed them our “Celebrity Hammocks” and encouraged others to join in on the hanging sesh.

It was neat to see the community that the hammocks brought. People on campus made it a way to hang out, get outside, and enjoy the outdoors. I was definitely that girl on campus doing homework in a hammock, and eventually, it upgraded to be my remote outside office. Now, over 10 years later, it has joined me on countless adventures across the USA and several camping nights. It’s become a packing necessity, and quite beautiful to think about how one product has given me friendship, community, peace, relaxation, and passion.

The Partnership: Why ENO Listened

Why am I talking so much about ENO? What does this have to do with Calming Captures? A lot, actually. It’s what brought me peace, adventure, and relaxation. But mainly, because when I finally put myself out there as a baby entrepreneur and explained what my business was all about, ENO listened. That’s still quite mind-blowing to me.

My first true love of the outdoors, the brand that made me feel peace in nature, let me relax and just be while swaying in the trees, cared about who I was, and understood my passion. Our missions are quite similar: spreading the love for the outdoors and sharing the positive benefits the outdoors has. It was perfect alignment!

I met members of the marketing team at the Outside Festival and Summit. I was so overwhelmed with all the people and the stress of pitching myself that I constantly felt like I missed the mark. Eventually, I ran into two wonderful souls from the ENO team, and we instantly clicked. We became instant friends over the love of nature, the peace it brings us, and the community it provides.

When they told me they worked with ENO, I completely fangirled. I was so giddy! It’s quite fitting how the first outdoor brand I was obsessed with as a teen is now one of Calming Captures’ partners!

Our goals = Building a community that appreciates the beauty of the outdoors and connecting with nature.

A Full-Circle Moment

Out of maybe 100 people who gave me deer-in-headlights faces, two friendly and fun-loving people got my message. I was super fortunate to visit my friends at ENO Headquarters in July and get a full office tour. I was fangirling all over again, and their team got to witness it in full effect! The company and team are amazing; they are crafting innovative products and partnering with some of the coolest and most impactful nonprofit organizations to really make a difference in our environment. Stay tuned for their newest colab with the Trust for Public Land!

This connection with ENO felt so natural, as if I wasn’t trying at all. It was a natural alignment with a team of people who are passionate and love the outdoors. I don’t think I’ve ever kept a product for so long, and I don’t think I could ever get rid of my old ones. Each hammock has a story: my OG Charcoal/Red DoubleNest Hammock, where it all started, my vibrant neon SingleNest “celebrity” hammock, and now, the hammock that made me a content creator and landed my first content partnership. The Canyon/Coral DoubleNest Hammock, when I first saw it, I mentally went back to my photography trip in Moab, Utah, seeing the sandstone arches, and knew that it was going to be the perfect fit for the Calming Captures aesthetic.

I think of how scared and anxious I was going solo to that business summit, trying to pitch my company and feeling like a flop. Now, my childhood favorite brand recognized me for my positive messaging and wanted to be a part of it! I constantly need to pinch myself. I’ve learned that if it truly aligns, it will happen. If people understand and see your message, keep going. This is a full-circle moment—the moment to let what’s meant for me finally happen in a way that taught me to just be me.

Lauren and I are still friends (13 years strong!), and when I told her about meeting the ENO team, she was cheering me on, completely excited that our silly little teenage hobby is now a big milestone moment for my career with Calming Captures.

Moral of the story: Do what you love, be authentic and fun, laugh and find joy in what you do, and eventually, the right people will come around, uplift you, and support you. Even if it’s the brand you were obsessed with as a teenager.

Do you have a full-circle moment? I’d love to hear it!

Peace + Love, Erica