When I first started in the RV industry my sales manager had a problem with me from day one. I didn’t get it. My resume was dumbed down to the point that during my interview the owner kept saying, ” We don’t have any driving jobs”, so I’m not sure what the issue was. Anyway, I am a “here’s where we are, so what are we going to do about it” guy. Getting my own leads was the only option.

I developed a lead generation and maintenance plan. I immediately went into data collection mode. Every customer I came across on the lot or over the phone would go into the CRM. All contact information to follow up would be entered. Whenever I was free, I’d market over social media via short one minute video presentations, blogs and email blasts. That’s when the My RV Guy brand was created. Each video started with, “It’s Ron Ash aka My RV Guy. Today I’d like to show you a …” Immediately after I’d post them across social media. I created brand specific platforms on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. I ordered pens with my name, photo, call or text number, and Instagram @myrvguy to give away, because business cards are toilet paper. 😆 I brought in more customers than I could handle, giving away the overflow to the other sales staff. Needless to say, I was a top grosser and producer. I wasn’t just selling RVs, but the customer service associated with buying from me and our dealership.

Exactly one year later that sales manager was bragging about a sales person who he once worked with. He said she sold something like one hundred RVs in a year. I replied, ” I do that in less than three months.” That’s when the harassment stopped and we became the best of friends. I guess he married his first impression of me until then. A story strange and true.

Adversity begets invention. That’s how My RV Guy was born. A few years later the dealership sold to a national change. I could see I wouldn’t be able to offer customers the service they were accustomed to and I saw no profit in that, so I took an inventory and realized I had the power of the My RV Guy brand! I invested in a niche market, mobile RV services and never looked back. Sales doubled in year three over year two. Now we’re Franchising nationwide.

Remember, it’s our choice to be the victim or to be victorious. What will you choose?