Welcome to the RV Rental Secrets Podcast. I'm your host, Stacy Maxson, and I'm thrilled to guide you through the journey of launching, growing, and managing a profitable RV rental business. Today, I have my co-host with me again, Gar Russell, the founder and CEO of Fireside RV Rental. Our topic is hiring and managing staff and outsourcing responsibilities so you can focus on what truly moves the needle in your business.

First, let's dispel a common misconception: whether you rent out one RV or manage a fleet, you are running a business. Every service you provide is part of your business operations, and recognizing this can change your approach to managing your time and resources.

Gar shared a valuable perspective on valuing your time. He assigns a dollar amount to his time, currently $250 an hour, to determine whether a task is worth his effort. This mindset helps in making decisions about whether to perform tasks personally or delegate them. For instance, if cleaning an RV doesn’t align with the value of your time or bring you joy, it’s worth outsourcing.

Outsourcing can look different for everyone based on individual strengths and passions. Some might enjoy cleaning and use it as a unique selling point for their business, while others, like myself, prefer to delegate this task. There are many resources for finding reliable help, such as care.com, local high school or college students, and even stay-at-home parents. For those familiar with Airbnb, you can often find experienced cleaners through local networks or Facebook groups.

Engaging local communities is also effective for finding drivers. Gar’s strategy of posting in Facebook groups and directly appealing to specific audiences, such as retired individuals with trucks, has proven successful. This approach not only fills immediate needs but builds a network of potential helpers for future requirements.

Time management is crucial, especially when balancing business with personal life. Outsourcing tasks like cleaning or driving frees up time for more valuable activities, such as spending quality time with family. This proactive approach ensures you’re not overwhelmed and can enjoy the benefits of entrepreneurship, like financial and time freedom.

Marketing and customer retention are also critical components. Using platforms like RVshare or Outdoorsy might come with fees, but they bring customers who can become long-term clients. Building a social media presence and encouraging customer engagement can convert one-time rentals into recurring business. Simple strategies like starting a Facebook page or offering incentives for customer interaction can significantly boost your marketing efforts without extensive costs.

If marketing or social media isn't your forte, consider hiring help. Platforms like Fiverr can connect you with students or interns eager to gain experience. This not only enhances your marketing efforts but also frees you to focus on core business activities.

Finally, evaluate what tasks don’t bring you joy and consider outsourcing them. This could include bookkeeping, administrative tasks, or even customer inquiries. The goal is to focus on what you love and what drives your business forward, ensuring a fulfilling and successful entrepreneurial journey.

Thank you for joining us this week. We hope you found value in this episode. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review. We’ll see you again next week.

Welcome to this episode of the RV Rental Secret Podcast. Today, I'm thrilled to have Garr Russell with us. Garr is stepping in as our new co-host and brings a wealth of experience as the founder and CEO of Fireside RV Rental, as well as my business partner and mentor. His insights have been invaluable to my understanding of the RV rental industry.

Today, we dive into the topic of tackling the challenging aspects of business, especially relevant during our peak season. Garr shares his philosophy, influenced by his mentor Josh Latimer, on the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship, regardless of the industry. His advice? Embrace the challenges as they come, recognizing that each effort, successful or not, contributes to personal and professional growth.

A key takeaway from Garr's experience is the power of delegation. Learning to entrust tasks to others who can perform them sufficiently allows business owners to focus on areas that drive revenue and growth. This approach has transformed our operations at Fireside, making room for innovations like the Fireside Plus program.

Garr also touches on the pivotal lessons learned from the economic shifts caused by COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of using other people's assets to scale business without accumulating excessive overhead. This strategy proved crucial during the uncertain times of the pandemic.

We also explore strategies for managing the high season in the RV rental industry, from maintaining a positive outlook amidst last-minute bookings and unforeseen issues to optimizing pricing and reservation policies to capitalize on urgent demand.

Garr's anecdotes and the principles he shares, like those found in the book "Three Feet from Gold," remind us that persistence and a positive mindset can lead to breakthroughs even when success seems elusive.

In wrapping up, Garr and I discuss the significance of community and mentorship in navigating the ups and downs of business. This episode is packed with practical advice and real-life examples that underscore the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and community support in the RV rental industry.

Thank you for tuning in, and we look forward to bringing more insights and stories in our upcoming episodes with Garr.

To learn more about Garr's story, download his FREE ebook, 'My Wheel Estate Story' here.

Luis Valdez from Central Washington RV Rentals started his journey into the RV rental business unexpectedly after purchasing a camper for personal use. Here are some key points from his interview on the RV Rental Secrets podcast:

How It All Started: Luis and his wife decided to buy a camper to spend more time outdoors with their kids after his father-in-law passed away. They quickly learned about the challenges of booking good campsites during peak seasons.

Discovery of RV Rental Business: Luis stumbled upon the idea of renting out their camper after seeing a suggestion on Facebook Marketplace. They listed their camper on RVshare and Outdoorsy, and bookings started pouring in immediately, leading them to realize the potential of this business.

Business Expansion: Encouraged by initial success, they expanded their fleet by purchasing more units to meet demand. Eventually, they also started managing RVs owned by others through rental agreements.

Operational Growth: Initially managing most operations themselves, Luis and his wife later hired cleaners and maintenance personnel to handle the growing workload. Eventually, the business became so successful that Luis left his full-time job to focus on it.

Marketing Strategies: They utilized various marketing channels such as social media (including TikTok), Google Ads, and a YouTube channel ("LR Valdez Rentals") to promote their business. Their YouTube channel not only helped with direct bookings but also attracted investors interested in purchasing units for rental purposes.

Rebranding and Focus: As their business grew, they rebranded to "Central Washington RV Rentals" to better reflect their location and attract local customers searching for RV rentals.

Tips for Aspiring RV Rental Entrepreneurs: Luis emphasizes the importance of clear communication and division of responsibilities for couples or partners entering the business together. He also advises being prepared for the fast-paced nature of the business and the need for constant attention to customer service and maintenance.

Luis's journey highlights the rapid growth potential in the RV rental industry and the importance of leveraging online platforms and community engagement for business success.

Check out his Youtube channel @boutthatrvlife