By: Joshua Finley
RV vacations offer the perfect blend of adventure and affordability. RVnGO harnesses the latest technology to connect RV owners and renters in a seamless person-to-person marketplace. Recently, Paul Kacir, founder of RVnGO, one of America’s largest person-to-person RV rental marketplaces, shared his tips for navigating the world of RV rentals.
From Idea to Business Success
The seed of inspiration first struck Paul during a charity bike trip up the coast. Watching RV after RV cruise past, he marveled at the potential in these underutilized vehicles.
“I came up with the idea of RVnGO,” he recalled. Paul noticed that RV rentals operated similarly to the Airbnb model, allowing owners to monetize their unused assets. Given the large number of idle RVs in America, he saw a significant opportunity. His background includes experience with taking companies public, having served as General Counsel for a major tech firm in British Columbia and managing legal affairs for the IPO of First Solar.
“I don’t think I need to. And now I’d say it’s the opposite,” Paul stated, acknowledging the learning curve. He eagerly dived into the operational side – technology, software, organic marketing. This real-world experience proved invaluable.
Assembling a Strong Team
Rather than seeking outside capital, RVnGO grew organically. Paul built a lean team equipped with specialized skills. With his corporate background, he focused on business operations, processes, accounting and fundraising.
Developing the digital platform posed a challenge. “Our technical challenges have been more than we thought,” Paul admitted. Still, they created an industry-leading site on a conservative budget.
Paul makes a point to understand their development process. “I’m not a coder, but you need enough knowledge so you at least know what’s going on,” he explained.
Creating a Seamless Person-to-Person Experience
RVnGO’s platform enables direct owner-renter transactions without any middleman fees. “We wanted to take out middlemen in the value chain and bring people closer together,” Paul said.
Owners list RVs for free while keeping up to 88% of rental revenue. Renters access listings nationwide, often 50% below competitors. RVnGO earns through affordable insurance plans tailored for person-to-person RV rentals.
RV owners manage pricing, rental parameters and screening renters. User privacy remains protected until choosing to rent.
Powering Growth Through Organic Traffic
With ample inventory, RVnGO now focuses on increasing site traffic to match growing demand. “Our goal is to really grow our organic traffic,” Paul stated.
Data indicates that many people search for “RV rentals” each month. RVnGO has seen an increase in visitor numbers since 2020, with a consistent upward trend.
SEO, social media, email marketing, and partnerships drive conversions. RVnGO also caters site content to diverse audiences – travelers seeking a cost-effective vacation, outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure, families bonding over RV getaways.
Eyes on the Road Ahead
By next summer, RVnGO aims to reach profitability, a game-changer according to Paul. “We could just keep growing internally. I think this space, if we’re successful, has room for a billion dollar company,” he projected.
Paul wants to retain RVnGO’s service-focused culture even at scale. “As companies grow, the emphasis often shifts from entrepreneurial to corporate policeman mentality. I don’t want to be a policeman, I want to be a commando,” he stated.
RVnGO already prepared for a potential IPO by completing necessary regulatory approvals. Paul sees public company life in their future if optimal for shareholders.
Imparting Hard-Won Lessons to Fellow Entrepreneurs
“You need basic business acumen,” Paul advised aspiring business owners lacking experience. Mentors can provide guidance to fill gaps in your expertise.
He warns against black box departments where problems can silently brew. “I think you’re only as good as your weakest link,” Paul revealed.
Mastering every niche of your business is unrealistic, but strive to comprehend each area’s capabilities and limitations.
“If it’s something technical like dev or legal, that has to be very specific,” Paul noted. Identify specialists who can elaborate on the intricacies.
The Journey Continues
By constantly enhancing RVnGO’s platform and user experience, Paul steers the company steadily toward its goal of uniting 10 million happy RV renters. He takes pride in creating value, not chasing money.
Paul draws motivation from RVnGO’s core belief – bringing people together. “If we do it right and create a nice brand, the money and the shareholders take care of themselves,” he said.
After nearly a decade building the foundations, RVnGO’s person-to-person marketplace is just getting started proving its value to RV owners and renters nationwide. Exciting roadways lie ahead.
To learn more about Paul Kacir and RVnGO, visit his LinkedIn profile.
Published By: Aize Perez