The pandemic ruined a lot of things for a lot of people, and nobody would ever wish to go through it all over again. That said, there were a few small silver linings. One of these was the business it practically handed to Kimberly and Devo Trigo.
“We had a fifth wheel before and gave it to our niece so we could build a pool in our side yard where the RV was stored,” Kimberly tells us. Ultimately, the Trigos decided to build the pool in the backyard, meaning they had the space for an RV after all. “COVID came and we needed a new view, but wanted to stay safe as well, so we bought a camper with intentions to rent it out.”
Why rent the new-to-them RV? “We chose to rent the RV to give others the chance to explore and do the things we were doing as well,” says Kimberly. “Before we bought the RV, I was a renter on Outdoorsy, and I loved having the benefits of camping with family but none of the hassle of camper ownership. Besides, as a stay-at-home mom, renting works so well for our family. We even have the kids help with rentals!”
That experience as a renter also helped Kimberly and Devo decide where to list their rental rig. “We chose to list the RV on Outdoorsy because when I was a renter it was simple,” Kimberly explains. “The platform on the app made it easy for me to use, and I feel safe because I know I am covered if we should have an accident or an issue. The deposit amount that gets paid prior to the renter getting the RV really gives us owners peace of mind.
“We listed the RV on 09/20/20,” Kimberly recalls. “Within 20 minutes I had a renter leaving to go to the Grand Canyon for their 35th wedding anniversary. Since then, we have done well. Renting is a great way for a stay-at-home mom to have a side hustle, and for us, it has turned into a business. In a year I have made almost what I was making as a banker before becoming a stay-at-home mom.”
How do the Trigos keep the rentals coming in? “I believe it’s our customer service that makes us stand out in this hot market. We are the competitive advantage. When you treat families and people the way you would want to be treated, it shows. People can feel it when you are genuine and when you help them and give them a great experience. People can also tell when someone is just after the money. I think we stand out because we are real, and we genuinely care about each renter we get.”
Their other secret? Teamwork. “I would advise a new person looking to start in this business to make sure you have the team it takes,” Kimberly shares. “My husband and I are a team. I do the marketing and customer relations, and he does all the repairs and maintenance.” Together, this power couple gets things done!
All about Kimberly and Devo
Favorite morning beverage: “Coffee.”
Favorite campsite meal: “BBQ ribs.”
Music you like to play on the radio: “K-LOVE or country.”
Best game to play on the road or at your campsite: “Cornhole.”
Favorite season: “Fall and spring.”
If you could travel anywhere in an RV, where would you go? “If we could camp anywhere, it would be in a location that has both redwood trees and ocean, because those are our favorite things (besides our twins, of course).”
