Roughin’ It RV & Cycle
Business
More Americans than ever are roughing it on their vacations, avoiding the crowds by hitting the road and camping out. Adventurers from 26 states have turned to Roughin’ It RV & Cycle in Madison, Ohio, for just the right vehicle. Owner Ashley Starr and her staff of 10 rely on social media and word of mouth to both source and sell their inventory of used motor homes, campers, fifth wheels and motorcycles, which are then reconditioned like new. Starr started her business right out of college and after just four years is experiencing considerable growth, including the recent addition of vehicle maintenance and repair services to her business’s capabilities.
Opportunity
When Starr learned of an area business pitch competition for women-owned businesses, she was optimistic. “I thought I had a great shot to win the $10,000 award and, at the very least, generate some decent exposure for my business,” she exclaims. To be eligible, competing businesses must be at least 51% owned, controlled, operated and managed by one or more women. Finalists for the live pitch contest, co-sponsored by Key4Women® and SCORE offices in Akron, Canton and Cleveland, were selected by SCORE volunteers from hundreds of applicants.
“I think I won the competition by showing that I’m going to offer a lot of return back into my community and I’m putting my heart and soul into this business.” – Ashley Starr, Owner, Roughin’ It RV & Cycle
Results
Starr won the competition and put the award money toward new oversized garage doors for her service and repair shop. The new installation allowed her service department to accept a wider variety of vehicles, a key to expanding the business. The judges said Starr showed amazing heart in her presentation and provided solid answers to every question they posed to her. Other criteria used in judging include clarity of business vision and mission, economic impact of the idea and soundness of the value proposition. Prior to the contest, Starr knew KeyBank only as her reliable, neighborhood bank branch. Today, Starr is impressed by the commitment KeyBank makes to her women-led business community, saying that the Key4Women program has further strengthened her loyalty to the bank. Remarks Starr, “When my customers need RV financing, I just send them to KeyBank … so everyone involved is a happy camper.”
About Key4Women
Through Key4Women, women business owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio are provided regular opportunities to network, build their brand and grow their business.
Key4Women provides customized financial services from Key4Women Certified Advisors who have facilitated more than $12 billion in loans to women-owned businesses. Exclusive member events and forums with industry experts help foster professional and business development while creating lasting connections. And timely thought leadership content covers the latest in financial and business trends to help women succeed.
For more information, visit key.com/key4women.
To learn more about Roughin’ It RV & Cycle, visit roughinitrv.com.