James Epp, Owner and CEO of Fraserway RV, Episode 197
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James Epp is the President of Fraserway RV, a leading company in the recreational vehicle (RV) industry. His journey in the RV business began as a teenager when his father, Erdman, purchased a camper manufacturing business in 1969. This small venture, which started with just five seasonal employees, laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong commitment to the RV industry for James. Under James' leadership Fraserway RV has grown significantly, maintaining a strong focus on ethics and customer satisfaction, principles instilled by his father.
This week on the show, I’m talking with James about what he learned from working in the family business as a young man and the lessons he learned from his father that still form the core of the business. He shares the importance of living your values and describes how Fraserway RV demonstrates their generosity philosophy daily. James also gives a few examples of some of the huge hurdles that the company has had to overcome and how they have found opportunities in adversity.
“If we don't exemplify our values, they are not going to mean anything.” - James Epp
“Take one step at a time.” - James Epp
“With success comes responsibility.” - James Epp
This Week on The Wow Factor:
What James learned about business and leadership in his teens from working with his dad
What he learned about working as a team from his family
How the family prayed over the business challenges in the early days
The importance of living your values and showing your team why they are so important to you
Some of the financial challenges James has come through, including recessions in the 1980s and 2000s
Why they took the opportunity to separate and grow the business on two different streams, Adventurer and Fraserway RV, in the late 1980s. Today, Adventurer Manufacturing is based out of Yakima, WA and under his son, David’s, direction.
How they make sure they build their motorhomes to give their customers the ultimate experience
The shocking flood that resulted in the company losing 500 vehicles in just one day and how
James’ team managed to pull together to move forward
Some of the ways that Fraserway RV exemplifies its guiding principle of living generously including matching donations for child sponsorship and World Vision, giving in their local communities at Christmas, and supporting fire and recovery charities.
James Epp’s Word of Wisdom:
My word of wisdom is to take one step at a time; you have to have patience.
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