Episodios

  • The Power of Imagination in Business and Life
    Sep 22 2025

    In this episode of the RV Rental Secrets Podcast, Stacy Maxon and Garr Russell dive into the power of imagination and how it impacts both life and business. Fresh from the Hershey RV Show, Stacy shares the excitement of connecting with new franchisees and witnessing how vision and faith fuel their entrepreneurial journeys. Together, she and Garr unpack the idea that imagination isn’t just for kids—it’s something we use daily, whether we realize it or not. They highlight how imagination often defaults to fear and negativity, but with intention, it can be trained to create hope, vision, and solutions that move us forward. Drawing on biblical principles, practical business examples, and personal experiences, they encourage listeners to shift from “what if it fails?” to “what if it succeeds?” and to see how this mindset shift opens the door to new opportunities and resources. The conversation also touches on the importance of partnerships, complementary skillsets, and surrounding yourself with a supportive community. With practical takeaways like focusing on daily wins, journaling, and reframing challenges, this episode reminds listeners that imagination is the starting point for growth—in business, family, and faith.

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    19 m
  • Why Your First Year is All About Doing the Work
    Aug 31 2025

    In this episode of the RV Rental Secrets Podcast, Garr Russell, Stacy Maxon, and special guest Ben Kiser dive into the reality of what it takes to build and sustain an RV rental business.

    Too often, new owners jump in thinking they’re just offsetting payments—but the truth is, the moment you rent out your RV, you’re running a business. That means learning to deal with renters, managing repairs, hiring drivers and cleaners, keeping books, and most importantly—doing the work.

    Ben shares his streamlined process at his Gulf Shores location, from booking through Fireside Plus to managing his bullpen of drivers and cleaners. Stacy and Garr pull back the curtain on their early struggles, hard lessons, and how pressing into the “pain” ultimately created systems and freedom down the road.

    💡 Key Topics Covered:

    • Why the first year of business is about “doing the work”

    • How Ben simplified his day-to-day rental process

    • The importance of knowing your why and pushing through discouragement

    • Practical tips for finding drivers and cleaners through networking

    • When to outsource and pay more to gain back your time

    • How to turn hard moments into systems that free you up long-term

    📌 Quote to Remember:

    “In all labor there is profit.” — Proverbs 14:23

    Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your fleet, this episode will inspire you to embrace the grind, stay focused on your why, and build a business that gives you freedom and fulfillment.

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    14 m
  • Don’t Wait for Next Year—Optimize Your RV Business Now
    Aug 17 2025

    In this episode of RV Rental Secrets, co-hosts Garr Russell and Stacy Maxon talk about how the seasonal shift from summer camping to back-to-school is the perfect time to reassess your RV rental business.

    They share updates from their own homeschooling routines, including Gar’s family working at their newly purchased diner and Stacy’s search for new curriculum for her high schooler. Then they dive into actionable strategies to help RV rental owners prepare for the next season:

    • Price Check: Why now is the time to evaluate your nightly rates, delivery fees, and event pricing to ensure you’re covering wear, tear, and your valuable time.

    • Event Strategy: How to maximize revenue during high-demand events, from raising rates to adding event fees—and making sure you’re compensated for delivery delays and extra effort.

    • Inventory Expansion Hack: A behind-the-scenes Fireside tip on leveraging other owners’ RVs for big events without buying depreciating assets.

    • Booking Trends: Using past booking data to decide whether to focus on high-performing campgrounds or diversify your delivery locations.

    • Proactive Planning: Setting 7-night minimums for peak summer weeks, preloading event pricing, and locking in additional inventory now for next year.

    Garr and Stacy also pull back the curtain on their own marketing review process, explaining how they track ad spend, KPIs, and conversion metrics—and how this podcast plays a role in educating and attracting future franchisees.

    Links & Resources:

    • 🎯 Free RV Rental Course – Learn how to make money renting out your RV (a $1,000 value, now free!)

    • Watch FREE webinar, 3 Secrets to Scale Your RV Rental Business Using Other People's RVs

    • 🔗 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for Q&A sessions, tips, and insider strategies

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    18 m
  • Hard Times = Hard Lines: SOPs, Boundaries & Avoiding Burnout
    Jul 27 2025

    In this episode of RV Rental Secrets, co-hosts Garr Russell and Stacy Maxon dive into a powerful phrase coined during a Fireside Franchise Chat: “Hard times equal hard lines.”

    They explore how difficult moments in business—whether it’s dealing with disgruntled renters, unexpected breakdowns, or last-minute bookings—can actually become catalysts for creating strong systems and boundaries that protect your time, energy, and sanity.

    Topics Covered:
    • Why pain is the ultimate motivator for change (Tony Robbins-style!)

    • Creating SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to remove emotion from decisions

    • How to set clear refund policies and renter communication protocols

    • Using boundaries like “closed on Sundays” to avoid burnout

    • Charging convenience fees for last-minute bookings

    • Why minimum night stays can make your business more profitable and less stressful

    • The power of automation and AI tools like ChatGPT to build your SOPs quickly

    • Real-life examples from Garr & Stacy’s own RV rental journeys

    When hard situations arise in your business, don’t just survive them—learn from them. Let the frustration you feel in the moment become the foundation for a new policy or system that prevents future stress. Hard times can shape better businesses—if we let them.

    Quote Worth Repeating:

    “Worrying about something not working robs you of the energy you need to actually make it work.”

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    18 m
  • Taking the Emotions out of Business
    Jul 13 2025

    In this episode of RV Rental Secrets, your hosts Garr and Stacy dig into one of the most important, yet often overlooked, keys to long-term success: taking the emotions out of business.

    We kick things off by chatting about habits vs. routines and why creating healthy habits can keep you grounded as an entrepreneur. We also share how staying active and caring for your mind and body can bring clarity and energy into your business decisions.

    Then, we dive into lessons from our Fireside Chats with long-time franchisees, highlighting how removing emotions has helped them thrive for years. We discuss:

    ✅ The difference between reacting and responding ✅ Why taking a pause can save you money (and headaches!) ✅ Creating clear policies to guide your decisions (like our 24-hour post-rental refund rule) ✅ Practical examples from real RV rental situations, including upset customers and on-the-road surprises ✅ How to reframe customer complaints and turn challenges into opportunities

    We also share powerful mindset tips inspired by Tony Robbins, John Maxwell, and personal parenting experiences — all to help you lead with clarity and confidence.

    Whether you’re a new business owner or a seasoned RV rental pro, this episode will equip you with strategies to stay calm, stay logical, and make better choices for your business (and life).

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    18 m
  • Why You Don’t Have to Go It Alone: Fireside Franchise Explained
    Jul 1 2025

    Welcome back to the RV Rental Secrets Podcast! After a short break, we're back — and today we’re diving deep into something we’re truly passionate about: the Fireside RV Rental franchise opportunity.

    Consistency is the key to success in business, and this episode is all about how showing up consistently — in marketing, customer service, and community — sets you apart. Stacy and Garr share why "falling in love with the action, not the result" is the foundation of building a thriving business.

    We unpack:

    • The journey from renting your own RV to managing an entire fleet using other people's RVs

    • The power of community and why doing business alone holds you back

    • What makes the Fireside franchise different: dedicated support, exclusive partnerships, and industry-leading systems

    • The perks: open office hours, Fireside retreats, RV tech support line, marketing assistance, and even a dedicated swag kit!

    • New and upcoming projects, including AI chatbots, advanced software integrations, and RV tech certifications

    • How Fireside helps entrepreneurs create multiple revenue streams and even work toward generational wealth

    Whether you're an RV dealer, campground owner, military veteran, or a husband-wife team looking for your next adventure, Fireside offers a supportive, faith-driven community to help you thrive.

    👉 Ready to learn more? Watch our free franchise webinar at firesidervrentalfranchise.com/webinar.

    💬 Have an idea for next week’s episode? Leave us a comment or message us — we want to know what would be most valuable for you as we enter peak rental season!

    Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next week!

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    17 m
  • How To Multiply Yourself With AI
    May 18 2025

    In this power-packed episode of RV Rental Secrets, co-hosts Garr Russell and Stacy Maxon dive deep into how AI is transforming the way RV rental businesses operate. Broadcasting from a wooded campground with sketchy Starlink service, Stacy shares firsthand how she’s replaced entire roles in her business using AI—saving time, improving customer communication, and increasing efficiency.

    Stacy breaks down practical ways RV rental business owners can leverage tools like ChatGPT, custom-trained chatbots, and the new research mode to automate tasks like customer service, itinerary planning, and market research—without sacrificing the personal touch. Garr shares insights from their internal operations and how embracing AI led to reclaiming hours of manual work. They also recommend starting points for those new to AI, including the AI Prompt Whisperer course and the White Beard Strategies community.

    Whether you're skeptical of AI or ready to dive in, this episode offers a balanced, down-to-earth look at how to use AI ethically, efficiently, and profitably in your RV rental business. Don’t miss these tips on how to multiply yourself, save hours each week, and stay ahead of the competition.

    Mentioned Resources:

    • ChatGPT

    • WhiteBeardStrategies.com

    • Facebook group: AI Prompts for Entrepreneurs

    • AI Prompt Whisperer course (beginner-friendly)

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    13 m
  • Build Your Brand, Grow Your Bookings: Marketing Tips for RV Rental Business Owners
    Apr 20 2025

    In this episode of RV Rental Secrets, your co-hosts Garr and Stacy dive deep into one of their favorite topics—marketing. Broadcasting from the road (literally!), Garr shares his excitement about a lunch meeting with Jen Cavins, co-founder of Outdoorsy, and how strategic partnerships can amplify your brand’s reach.

    The duo unpacks practical strategies for RV rental business owners looking to grow their visibility and bookings—whether you have one camper or fifty. They discuss the importance of building both your personal and business brand, leveraging video content for emotional connection, and using AI tools like Opus Clip and CapCut to turn everyday moments into marketing magic.

    You’ll learn how to:

    • Capture and repurpose video testimonials and renter experiences

    • Turn simple prep routines into valuable content

    • Use YouTube as a long-term marketing engine (and even monetize it!)

    • Build collaborative relationships with local campgrounds, attractions—and even competitors

    Plus, they share how Garr’s 10-year-old is recording his own podcast series (inspiring proof that anyone can start creating content!) and discuss why “documenting the journey” is often better than overthinking your next marketing move.

    Whether you're just getting started or scaling your RV rental business, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build trust, attract more renters, and have fun doing it.

    👉 Don’t forget to join our RV rental group join the conversation with thousands of other RV renter business owners.

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    14 m