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August 21, 2025 55 mins

From pupil dilation research to designing custom campervans, Roberto's journey is anything but ordinary! On this episode of The RV Entrepreneur, hear how Roberto, co-founder of Vansmith, went from academia (yes, he has a PhD!) to the wild world of entrepreneurship, including co-founding Oru Kayak and the story behind its Shark Tank success. Then, discover the origins of Vansmith, the challenges of building a business amidst a pandemic, including overcoming a shop break-in and supply chain chaos, and the importance of investing in employees. Roberto shares his approach to creating raving fans, insights into the changing demands of the camper van market, and whether a custom build is the right choice for you. Plus, find out where he sees the industry going and the biggest mistakes he's learned from (including a Metaverse van token!).

Connect & Learn More:

https://thevansmith.com

https://www.instagram.com/the_vansmith/

Resources:

Navigating the Growth Phase on the Entrepreneurial Highway with Robert & Tosha Lackey of Bison | RVE 327

https://therventrepreneur.com/rve327/

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THE RV ENTREPRENEUR

https://therventrepreneur.com

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