From Cold Calls to Airstream HQ: Documenting My First U.S. Sale for Isabella USA

I was standing in our storage unit when the email came in.

It was short. Just a few lines saying they wanted to move forward with a purchase. But for me, it landed hard.

This was our first U.S. sale.

Isabella has been a respected name in Europe for decades. But here in the States, we’re starting from scratch—new market, new customers, new conversations. This was a signal that the work is starting to land. A small step, but a real one.

A few days later, I packed up our Air X-Tension and drove to Airstream HQ. We’d modified this version specifically for the Basecamp, and this was our chance to see it in place and shoot some video.

No crew. Just me, the product, and a camera.

This footage will help us tell the story better. Not just for customers, but for dealers and partners who need to see how it works.

Later that week I decided to take the momentum from the Airstream HQ visit and stop by a dealer to test fit The Buddy.

There’s a local Airstream dealer I’ve been eyeing for a while. I wanted to see if they’d be open to letting me come by and test fit another product we’ve got called The Buddy—a super versatile sunshade for RVs, camper vans, and trailers.

So I dropped in unannounced.

I didn’t have a pitch deck. Just a simple ask and a short explanation of who I am and what we’re building. To my surprise, they said yes. Told me their GM was out on vacation but once he was back, it shouldn't be a problem.

This post isn’t about a big launch or a viral moment. It’s about a small win, a good conversation, and a willingness to show the work as it happens.

That’s what “building in public” looks like for me.

One email. One trip. One cold call.

That’s how we’re building Isabella USA.