At Banterra, we strive to be your financial partner in all aspects of your banking needs, including offering products that fit your unique needs, building strong relationships and providing support in every way we can to help your business succeed. One of the ways that we show that support is through Banterra’s “Meet The Merchant” blog series, which provides insight into the entrepreneurial journey of some of our business customers and promotes their stories through our marketing channels. This month, we are excited to hear from Basden’s American RV Center, a family-owned RV dealership serving Evansville and the Tri-State. Continue reading to learn how an unexpected opportunity grew into a thriving dealership, why listening to customers and investing in employees have been central to its success, and how Banterra has supported the business along the way.

What Was The Inspiration Or Motivation To Start The Business?

Sometime in early 1992, my father decided he wanted an RV to travel to the races we were involved in. We stopped at Basden RV on Columbia Street and shopped for a Southwind Class A. Bill Basden quoted us a price, and my father said, “Gosh, Bill, I don’t want the whole dealership, just this one RV!” It turned out we had a mutual friend in Al Umbach, who approached my father with the financials and the message that Bill and Marge Basden were interested in selling. We had been involved in the retail boat business when I was very young, and getting back into retail sales was not on my father’s radar. For a couple of weeks, those financials sat on the kitchen table until I opened them and read through them. I researched the industry and realized this looked like a great opportunity to grow a stagnant dealership alongside its largest customer base, the baby boomer generation. I knew Dad wasn’t interested, but I was.

How Has Your Business Grown Over The Years?

Our first full year in business was 1993, when we sold about 85 RVs. In 2017, we eclipsed 600. We’ve been as large as three storefronts, but in the late 1990s it became very evident that we needed a large facility along a highway or interstate where we could consolidate into one location. We eventually built the facility we still use today. We have the largest parts and service department and the largest indoor showroom within a 100-mile radius.

What Have You Done To Achieve Growth?

First and foremost, we recognize that we don’t sell something anyone wakes up in the morning and has to have. We sell the idea of affordable fun! We built our facility to do exactly that. We listened to—and continue to listen to—our customers about what products they want to purchase, how they want to do business and how they wish to be treated, and then we do it. We cultivate career employees and treat them as family. We empower them to do the right thing for the customer, and that has paid enormous dividends in our growth.

What Is One Piece Of Advice You Would Give To Aspiring Entrepreneurs?

Your most valuable asset isn’t on your balance sheet; it’s your employees. Invest wisely in them and treat them well. After all, they are the face of your business and your unofficial partners.

How Has Banterra Helped Your Business To Become More Successful?

Banterra has been indispensable in our growth. They have provided financing solutions, on a local level, that we cannot get elsewhere. They listen to and understand our needs, then work toward tailoring a product that fits them. They are a true relationship bank.

Staying Connected With Basden’s American RV Center

From an unexpected opportunity in the early 1990s to a thriving dealership built around affordable fun, attentive service and empowered employees, Basden’s American RV Center continues to help customers across the Tri-State enjoy the RV lifestyle. Explore available RVs, rentals, parts and services on their website, and check them out on Facebook or Instagram to stay connected.

Choosing Banterra As Your Business Banking Partner

Banterra is proud to support our business customers within our communities for more than 50 years. Whether it is banking products, loan offerings or treasury management tools, we are dedicated to solutions that fit the unique needs of your business. If you are looking to start or grow your entrepreneurial journey, and need a bank that is truly a partner, connect with our team today.