Contributed by Karen Smith, RV Concierge & Rentals
RV Concierge & Rentals was recognized as the top recipient at the ATIA (Alaska Travel Industry Association) Conference in Kodiak in October. They were awarded $5,000 to grow their business, which impacts locals and tourists from around the world.
RV Concierge & Rentals started out as a storage facility off of Bogard and Seldon in Wasilla three years ago. As President Karen Smith was quote, “We aren’t the ordinary storage lot, for sure. We offer our customers convenience and help. RV owners earn income with their assets. No RV should sit on a lot for even one week during the summer.” RV Concierge and Rentals stores, maintains and rents a privately-owned fleet of motorhomes, in addition to the storage lot. Smith contributes her success to the customer. “The customer has pulled us into this market. We started with dirt and turned it into a profit because the customer has asked for winterizations, cleaning, fitted covers, getting the RV road-ready with food and beverage and most recently, rentals.”
RV Concierge’s shark tank approach was simple: explain what RV Concierge and Rentals is, explain the opportunities and of course, detail the execution. There are many incredible ideas, but you must have a plan to execute and be a sustainable business. A business needs to be profitable.
Smith is going to invest her $5,000 into marketing and on-site improvements that will save her team time and money next spring. “Everybody loves the idea of what we do, and we will now thoughtfully spend the winnings marketing to our supportive locals and branch out to the tourist who wants the Alaskan Experience in a privately-owned motorhome.”
RV Concierge’s tag line, “Enjoy the Ride” is more than a tag line. They want every customer to spend more time with their family and friends enjoying this great state while they take care of the details.
