Just Getting Started

 I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Dan Turner. I'm from the Joplin, MO area and have lived here most of my life. I married to the love of my life on my 19th birthday. (Kids, don't try this at home. We have years of experience keeping us together!) We have been married for over 28 years and have two awesome kids. Okay, they are both adults now, but they will always be our kiddos!

In 1999, I left a job in construction to go into the RV Service industry. I did this because it was a particularly rainy summer and I was not getting enough hours to keep our finances together. A friend had been trying for years to get me to join him at the RV dealership he worked for. He had already talked my Dad and brother into working there. So, I accepted a job as a technician and planned to work that until something better came along. That was the beginning of a career I did not expect.

Two years later, we moved to Jacksonville, FL because we visited friends and fell in love with the area. When we arrived, we did not have jobs lined up or any prospects. Because of my experience with RV's, I was able to start a job within a week of moving. While I was with that company, I eventually became the parts manager, something I wanted to do from day one in the industry. But that's a story for another time.

After several years of living and working in Jacksonville, we moved back to Joplin. My Dad had been battling several health issues for years. We wanted our kids to have as many memories as they could with him. Along with other reasons I will go into later, we made the move. I, of course went to work at a local RV dealership. At this point, I conceded that this is my career path.

After the move, I was approached by a life-long friend's Dad (who managed the first dealership I worked in) to see if I was open to working with a newer dealership as their Parts and Warranty Manager. I met with the owner and we made a deal. I helped any way I could to build that business. Years later, I was offered a position at the very first dealership I worked for to be their Service Manager. This gave me an opportunity to work with some of the first crew I worked with at the beginning, including my brother and some old friends.

We worked hard to build that department. I made changes. Then, we brought on a training and consulting company to help us take it to the next level. We did just that. We were moving forward. We took care of so many customers. Then, Covid 19 came along and shut down the world. I had to let so many people go. I was also advised that I would be taking on another position with no plans to fill that position with anyone else. I decided it was time to make a change. I contacted a colleague to see if they had anything available. They did.

I worked for them for several years as their parts purchasing agent and parts sales. I worked closely with the parts manager to help build our department. Over the years I was with them, our department grew significantly every year. Even when the economy experienced corrections, we were growing. One day, after my fourth anniversary with the company, I looked at the year-to-date sales report. Then I thought, what was it the year before I came on board. The numbers were astounding! I know I was part of a team, but many of the profitable processes and changes came by my suggestions. I went home that night and told my bride, "I think I should just go out on my own." She, who has always been risk averse, said, "Why don't you?"

So, here I am about seven months later, sitting at my desk, typing on my computer, in my store! I just finished my first month in business and look forward to the season! I have been able to help some of my long-time customers along with new customers with their parts needs. I have a different business model than much of the industry and hope to make some disruptions in the status quo. After more than a quarter of a century, I am just getting started.