IAM753- Online Marketer Gives Information to RV Consumers

Marshall has been involved in online marketing for over 12 years. He has been living and traveling in his RV for over 6 years. In 2017 he and his business partner (another full-time RVer) created an RVing website called Camp Addict. Over the past 3 years, Camp Addict has grown to be the premier website dedicated to informing RV consumers.

• CEO Hack: Show up each day consistently
• CEO Nugget: Have a passion to push through to make a sustainable business
• CEO Defined: Freedom to be my own boss and do my own things

Website: https://campaddict.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CampAddict/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camp.addict/

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Transcription

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[00:00:02.20] – Intro

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

[00:00:30.30] – Gresham Harkless

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast, and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Marshall Windler of Camp Addict. Marshall, it's awesome to have you on the show.

[00:00:40.00] – Marshall Wendler

Thank you for, having me on today. I'm excited.

[00:00:42.89] – Gresham Harkless

No problem. Super excited to have you on as well too. Before we jump in, I want to read a little bit more about Marshall so you can hear about all the awesome things that he's doing. Marshall has been involved in online marketing for over twelve years. He's been living and travelling in his RV for over six years. At twenty-seventeen, he and his business partner, another full-time RVer, created an RVing website called Camp Addict. Over the past three years, Camp Addict has grown to be the premier website dedicated to informing RV consumers. Marshall, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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[00:01:12.90] – Marshall Wendler

I am.

[00:01:14.50] – Gresham Harkless

Let's do it. So to kick everything off, I wanted to kinda rewind the clock clock a little bit. Could you take us through your CEO story? We'll let you get started with all the awesome things you're working on.

[00:01:22.40] – Marshall Wendler

Yeah. Sure. As you had alluded to, I've been in online marketing for a while now, even before I was doing the full-time RV thing. I had a life event that allowed me to pursue my lifelong dream of going and living in an RV full-time and travelling around the United States. I took advantage of that and started doing that a little over six years ago. And along the way, pretty quickly on, I met another full-time RVer that, I clicked with. Early on in our relationship, she and I decided to start a business together, which side note, is not a smart thing to do to start a business with someone that you really don't know, but fortunately, it's worked out quite well.

Anyhow, so we started up after some conversations about us both being unhappy with our current employment situation. And I was telling her about my online marketing, and we decided to do a business together. Something a website that I had previously experienced with great success years ago. So we went down that rabbit hole of doing the same subject. It was not RV-related. It was not something that either of us had a passion for. After eight months of doing that with no return, we decided to pivot and go after something that we were good at and had a passion for and that was RVing.

So we surveyed the landscape, so to speak, of what was out there in RVing websites and, discovered that there's a big hole in the market for the comprehensive website that helps the future and present RVer with education learning about how to RV, products, about services from a full-time RVer's perspective and a comprehensive website rather than just being a website that just puts out the fluff. So we have been doing that for about three little over three years now and have been building up what has become a very successful website, the RV Education bit.

[00:03:38.00] – Gresham Harkless

Nice. I definitely appreciate that. And it's so funny, like, sometimes, you know, during out the week, people ask me, like, who do you have on? Who's gonna be on the next podcast? And I said, oh, I have a full-time RVer that's gonna be on this week. Everybody's like, oh, it's so exciting because what you said about it being your dream is so many other people's dreams. So, it kinda sounds like being able to kinda speak to that passion and all the awesome things that you guys have on the site have definitely helped take it to the next level.

[00:04:03.19] – Marshall Wendler

Absolutely. And the year twenty-twenty, because of the world events going on, there seems to be a huge surge in interest, and find ourselves in a good position to be a source of information for those that are looking towards this lifestyle, both as a full-time venture and, you know, just a weekend getaway sort of thing, an alternative way to vacation rather than going off to a resort or something like that.

[00:04:28.69] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. it's so interesting to see kind of all the disruptions and changes. And as you said, they're kinda of like the influx of people that are looking into everything related to RV. So I know when I read your bio and when you, spoke as well too, you touched on a little bit of what we can find there. Could you take us through a little bit more on what we can find on the site and all the awesome things you're doing with it?

[00:04:48.60] – Marshall Wendler

Sure. We're, our goal is to be the one-stop RV education website, and that means that we'll talk about what is the best RV to buy for you in a particular situation and the best sewer hose to use so that you can dump your holding tanks on your RV and everything in between. So we take what we have learned through our relatable style that provides useful information for those looking for information on the RVing subject matter.

[00:05:28.80] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. That's incredibly huge. And I think, again, having that conversational kind of from soup and nuts conversational tone in terms of finding out, you know, what to do, what type of RV, and what even probably are even the aspects of the RV. Just all that aspect, I think it gives peace of mind because you guys have been doing it for so long and then, obviously, you've had the site that it's leaning on your understanding, your expertise, and some of the steps that you've been able to take.

[00:05:51.30] – Marshall Wendler

Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, there are a lot of RVing websites out there, but they don't have the kind of comprehensive information that we clear. Information that is long or you can just tell that people are out to get eyeballs on their site and they give useful information. So we get comments both, like, oh, I'm just glad that I've found your site. You know, finally, a website that has information that I can use and is helpful. And it's really heartwarming when we get that kind of comment, and that feedback tells us that we're going on the right path.

[00:06:29.00] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. It's so funny. And I and I also feel like and I don't know if you would feel the same way that I think that passion piece that you spoke about is huge. Because I think you don't have to do anything that you're always passionate about, but I think when you are passionate about it doesn't just become kind of, you know, a surface-level kind of description. You dig deep into it because you're passionate about the topic. So I think it's obviously also a reminder to us that you don't have to choose your passions, but when you do, because of the time that's involved, a lot of times, it could take it to the next level because you enjoy what you're doing while you're putting the time in.

[00:07:01.10] – Marshall Wendler

And as I'm a believer if you're going to dedicate the years and the hours that it takes to build a successful business, you darn well better do it running something that you have a passion about or at least you're willing to dedicate your hours to because there is on the other side. And there will be times when it is frustrating and you feel like you're spinning your wheels and can't get about it and really does nothing for you, then you're gonna just be dead water.

[00:07:33.60] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And so I didn't know if that was what you would consider being, like, your secret sauce, the thing you feel kinda sets you apart and makes you unique. Is it that depth, that passion that kinda of showcases itself throughout this life?

[00:07:47.39] – Marshall Wendler

We present the information. You know, not only do we have the passion to be able to write about it, but the knowledge, the firsthand knowledge, and the first career way back when were in aviation maintenance. I was a helicopter mechanic, so I could understand more technical aspects of things. And I can then boil that down into a relatable understanding on top of that. Kelly, my business owner, doesn't have these technical abilities. So we always joke that if I'm able to write in the style where she's able to understand it, then anyone can understand it. And then you take her writing ability, which is an incredibly unique, lurid style, a lot of very relatable. You'd mix that into my writing style, and we just have this secret sauce, this ability, this combination of our two talents that can write content that really resonates.

[00:08:50.10] – Gresham Harkless

That makes perfect sense. And I wanted to switch gears a little bit, and I'm actually gonna pause it here. Sure. Alright, Marshall. I wanted to ask you now about what I call a CEO hack. So this could be like an app, a book, or a habit that you have, but what's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

[00:09:06.00] – Marshall Wendler

So I don't have any special tool or book to share because, you know, it's all the same tools that I'm sure everybody else uses. It's the same project management tools and whatnot. But what I wanted to say was my secret hack for me personally is just showing up each day. Sometimes this is a seven-day-a-week grind, but you've gotta have the fortitude to be able to show up each day and work through it. You know, I touched on this earlier, work through the the slow times, the times when you feel like you're not making any progress, and be able to push through those times so that you're able to benefit from all this work that you put into it.

[00:09:47.70] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. You're absolutely right. And I think sometimes the best hacks are the things that are often overlooked. And as you said, like, showing up consistently on a regular everyday basis goes so far because so many people don't do it. As, you know, you talked about the online market, and I'm sure many people don't continue to kinda do it for over the twelve years that you kinda spoke about, the three years that you've had the site. And I think as you talked about that consistency, it kind of helps everything go to an entirely different level. So I love that hack. So I wanted to ask you now for what I call a CEO nugget. So that could be a word of wisdom or a piece of advice. It might be something you would tell yourself if you were to hop into a time machine.

[00:10:24.39] – Marshall Wendler

Oh, that's the old if I only knew back then question. Yeah. Yeah. So what I would tell myself is I find my strengths early on. Figure out what you're good at, and what you've got the passion about. And sometimes that doesn't come till later in life after you've had the life experiences after you've tried the different careers, the different jobs, the different experimenting with different things in life. So I would tell myself, find out what your strong points are after the easy. Go after what you're good at because you're gonna be doing this for a really long time.

It doesn't get any easier as the years go on. You may get better at it, but you still have the same struggles. So you've gotta be able to have that passion to push through. It seems like I keep hitting on this topic, but you've gotta be passionate about what you do to make a sustainable business. Yeah. Face it. Most people are better suited. Most people are better suited to be employees than to be entrepreneurs just because there's so much time energy and frustration that goes into building a business, and there's no guarantee that it'll work out.

[00:11:42.39] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And you're absolutely right. And I always say if you have to choose whether you're gonna do something you're passionate about or not, why not choose the thing that you're passionate about because of the time, because of the grind, of running the business that sometimes, you know, gets overlooked. But I think you're absolutely right where, you know, the work and the kind of bricks that you put in year after year after year is really what helps you to kind of be successful. And then just understanding yourself, understanding what those strengths are, and leaning into that helps you to be able to do that.

[00:12:12.20] – Marshall Wendler

Absolutely. And, you know, it seems like there are days when it feels like you're reinventing the book, or trying to figure out what to do. And, you know, you aren't the first person down this road no matter what your business is, but sometimes it really does feel that way and you don't know what the next move is, what the right move is, and it can get a bit confusing and frustrating. So you just need to stick with it and do what your gut tells you, sometimes it's right and sometimes it's wrong.

[00:12:39.79] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And I think some of the most successful people that's one of the things that I wish that I knew or you can do differently, as she said, is that you know, you realize that success is not always a straight line. It's very rarely a straight line. And you understand that it's a process as long as you have that kind of energy and desire to continue to kinda grow and learn. Even if you hit those roadblocks or those setbacks, you continue to kinda pivot and change and go to where you need to be. Yeah. Absolutely. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. So I know we touched a little bit on entrepreneurship. So I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on this show. So, Marshall, what does being a CEO mean to you?

[00:13:17.70] – Marshall Wendler

Oh, this may be a cliche, but to me being a CEO means freedom. It means being able to make my own path, do my own thing, and not be do I've made a horrible employee, so being my own boss, even with all the struggles involved is way beyond worth it. And at the end of the day, even if I'm not gonna get rich out of it, I'm rich with experience and just the ability to do my own thing when I want, where I want. That is what being a CEO means to me.

[00:13:51.60] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. I definitely expected that you know, from a full-time RVer. I expected the freedom to come out. But it's so funny when you were saying that. I feel like the quote that came to my mind was that, I think and they said entrepreneurs are the people who'll, work eighty hours a week to avoid working forty. Yeah. But I think as you if you're passionate about what it is that you do, then it definitely helps out as kinda like building, you know, building yourself and building the business, you know, towards what success means, like, for us individually.

[00:14:15.79] – Marshall Wendler

Yeah. And, you know, it's really worth it. If I do work eighty hours a week, it's worth it to be able to have the view that I have right now out my office window looking at a beautiful lake, a mountain lake in Idaho. I mean, you don't get this when you're working in a cubicle for someone else. And it's at the end of the day, my lifestyle, being a CEO affords me this lifestyle, and that's really worth it to me.

[00:14:41.79] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. That makes so much sense. And so I truly appreciate you for reminding us of that. I appreciate that definition. I appreciate all the awesome things that you're doing. And what I wanted to do is pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and listeners know and, of course, how best they can get a hold of you and find out about all the awesome things you're working on.

[00:14:59.29] – Marshall Wendler

Of course, just if you feel like you wanna be an entrepreneur if you feel like you have what it takes to be a business owner, do it. The worst thing that happens is you fail and you go back to being an employee, but you never know until you try it. Don't do the woulda, shoulda, could've, you know, when you're old and always wondering if you should have pulled the trigger on it. If you wanna get a hold of me, you can just reach out to me at camp addict dot com. It's Marshall at camp addict dot com is my email address. I'm always available for questions about either business, though I'm not sure that I've got a beautiful word of wisdom to share with anyone. But if you have questions about the RV and lifestyle, or style, reach out to me.

[00:15:44.00] – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Well, thank you so much again, Marsha. We will have the links and information in the show notes, and I definitely think you did provide loads of words of wisdom, you know, for us to kinda take hold of and remind ourselves of. And I think one of the biggest things, as you said, is, like, the pain of regret is probably the worst pain of all. So if there is something that you're thinking about doing if there's something that you want to do or if you have this idea, why not pursue it and see what happens from that? And it's the pain that you think you'll experience from it maybe not working out exactly how you want is often minimal in comparison to what it could be by never trying it all. So I appreciate that reminder again, Marshall, my friend, and I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

[00:16:22.70] – Outro

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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