Meet Stephanie Bias, a 2020 graduate from Iowa State University who is finding success in the realm of…glamping. Glamping, or glamorous camping, is the perfect mix of adventure and comfort. It allows you to spend time in the great outdoors while still enjoying the many luxuries of home. Stephanie took a walk down memory lane, reflecting on the past three years of Camp Aramoni and her many successes as a female entrepreneur.
The History of Camp Aramoni
In 2017, Stephanie’s family discovered 100 acres of land for sale only 20 minutes from their home in LaSalle, Illinois. The location was close to Starved Rock State Park, one of Illinois’ most popular hiking and camping destinations. They knew the state park was a huge tourist draw and their proximity to it would bring in business. So, they purchased the land and created Camp Aramoni: a boutique campground where nature meets luxury. Stephanie began working part-time remotely for Camp Aramoni in 2018. She transitioned to full-time in January 2020 as the camps general manager.
The original Ristokrat Clay Products Company.
Camp Aramoni, named after the Aramoni River (now called the Vermilion River) that runs through the camp, emerged from the rubble. The land was home to Ristokrat Clay Products Company, an old brickyard established in 1870 and closed in 1981. It employed nearly the entire town. The transformation into a functioning camp required significant effort by Stephanie and her family, from restoring buildings to filling in old underground tunnels that were used for firing bricks. Their vision included an event venue and a campground.
In 2019, Stephanie participated in the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship’s CYstarters accelerator program with Camp Aramoni. Her focus was on the event venue, so she researched event pricing, sourced vendors, established vendor contracts, and focused on marketing. Stephanie felt her participation in CYstarters was instrumental in the development of the camp as she implemented everything she created while in the program.
Camp Aramoni Today
Camp Aramoni event venue opened in 2020 and the campground in 2021. Today, it has grown into a boutique campground and event venue, with onsite accommodations, transportation, rental items for weddings/events, in-house catering and bar service, and so much more. Stephanie’s innovative approach includes offering food and beverage services for campers, setting and lighting campfires, and providing a range of activities from hiking and biking to luxury picnics.
Since its opening, Camp Aramoni has served 8,500+ campground guests, hosted 350+ events, and has gained a significant social media following thanks to Stephanie. Camp Aramoni is continuously evolving. Stephanie and her family hope to add accommodations that can operate year-round. This expansion will offer year-round employment for their 50+ staff members.
Empowering Women in Entrepreneurship
Stephanie, based off her own entrepreneurial experience with Camp Aramoni, was quick to encourage women who are interested in entrepreneurship to take action and be flexible along the way. “As women we can be hyper critical of ourselves. Don’t be your worst critic or your own worst enemy. Just “start something”, as you say at Iowa State.” She emphasizes the importance and value of women in leadership roles. Camp Aramoni’s management team, mostly composed of women, has brought organization, efficiency, and compassion, setting an example for other aspiring female entrepreneurs.
The path to success for Stephanie has been shaped by a desire to work alongside her family to merge top notch hospitality with a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience. Stephanie hopes her story will inspire other women to pursue their dreams with courage and confidence. At Camp Aramoni, Stephanie is “on a mission to preserve the past and inspire the future.” Learn more about Stephanie and Camp Aramoni by heading to the website, www.camparamoni.com or following them on Instagram.
