Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 11 | Devin Ashby | Creator of Backcountry Exposure Bags!

Guest: Devin Ashby — Creator & Owner of Backcountry Exposure In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Devin Ashby, the creator behind Backcountry Exposure — a brand built one stitch at a time, often late at night, at a sewing machine in his own home. Devin shares the real, unfiltered journey of turning a decade of YouTube experience into a growing soft-goods business. We talk about what it’s like fulfilling 300+ bag orders solo, why small design details matter more than flashy features, and how years of relationship-building in the outdoor industry helped him survive legal battles, business pivots, and burnout. This episode dives into: 🧵 What it’s really like being a one-man gear brand (with a little help from family) 🎒 Why Devin is intentionally not making backpacks 🧠 The thinking behind food bags, ditty bags, and modular organization ⚖️ Navigating trademark issues, scaling limits, and work–family balance 💡 Why Devin has 6–7 new product ideas but refuses to rush them 🤝 How genuine relationships (not transactions) shape long-term success If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of cottage gear brands — or dreamed about building something of your own — this episode is honest, grounded, and incredibly relatable. 🔗 Connect with Backcountry Exposure 🌐 Website: https://backcountryexposure.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountryexposure ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackcountryExposure 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obristimagery 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com • SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more gear creators & outdoor founders Thanks for tuning in — let’s go beyond the trailhead.