His stylish white mullet can be seen from across the service area. His name is Herbert Flanders, but every one calls him Herbie. Herbie is one of Campers Inn RV’s most respected service technicians, and he has been in the RV industry for over 50 years. He took a few minutes out of his busy day repairing RVs to answer a couple of questions about his long journey in this ever-changing RV industry.
When did you start your career in the RV industry, and what was your first job?
I started in 1965. I worked at my father’s business, Sea Breeze Trailers, where they built custom trailers. I would go after school and work the night shift building trailers with my grandfather and my father.
What is your most memorable experience in the RV industry?
It is the part where you accomplished something. It’s when you get done and look back and realize that something you have done will make someone happy, instead of the day-in, day-out work that you would do in a factory.
What is your favorite thing about working in the service department?
It’s something different every day, and, like I said before, it’s nice to finish something and have the customer appreciate what you have done. That’s the reason I do what I do.
Do you camp? If so, where is your favorite spot?
Yes, my favorite spot to camp is Fryeburg Fair Blue Ribbon Classic. I have been going there since 1961 every year. I would even go when I was living in Florida. I haven't missed one since 1961.
How long have you worked in the RV industry?
50 years.
What do you like most about the industry outside of the service department?
Personally, I think that camping is one of the best things you can do with your family. A lot of people bowl, go to baseball games, go boating, fishing, hunting. I love to camp because you always see family. It’s a family activity. A man or woman wouldn’t bring his or her family hunting, but they would bring them camping. It’s just truly a great thing.
What other work experience do you have outside the industry?
It’s pretty much taken up all my time. I've built houses and owned my own businesses, but I always seem to come back to the RV business, because that’s what I know and what I love to do. I always come back, because it’s in my blood. My brothers, dad, and grandfather have all owned their own RV dealerships. I still have two brothers in the RV industry. Only one out of my four brothers didn't go into the industry, and he was the first one in three generations.
You have been in the industry for a while. What keeps you here?
The people. I mean, there are so many things that you can do to make a difference. For me, it’s making people happy. It means so much to me when someone says, “Gee you really made my day.” When they say that to me, they make my day. I do my job to make people happy, and that’s what I hope I can retire doing. If I wasn’t doing what I'm doing now, I would own a campground. So, no matter what, I would still be in the business.
Do you have any advice or wisdom?
My advice is that you really have to know what you want to do. You have to enjoy what you do, and, most of all, you have to know what you are talking about when you start doing it. The knowledge is out there to learn, so why not learn it? You always have to want to know more then you already do to succeed in this business. Even after 50 years, there is stuff that I am still learning. That’s my advice—not only for this business but everywhere. Keep learning.
Stay tuned for more interviews with the Campers Inn RV Family!