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WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN RV INSPECTOR?

In the spring of 2015, Joanne (my wife and partner) saw an ad for RV maintenance training, that was very

specific to RV systems, and I enrolled just to increase my knowledge and allow me to perform more of my own

maintenance. We were getting tired of paying for things that we could probably take care of ourselves.

This training, which was the Triad training provided by Terry Cooper included information provided by Steve

Anderson on how to take what was being learned and turn it into an opportunity to form your own business as

an inspector. This sounded appealing, as we could now deduct as business expenses many of the things we

were paying for anyway. I followed up the RV maintenance training with my certification exams from NRVIA,

completed an advanced training class called Learn by Doing which included training specific to becoming an

inspector, and started our business in October 2015.

I also have a strong desire to help strengthen the image of

the RV industry and hope that through a growing inspection

component, over time we will have some positive influence

on the quality of RV's and interactions between

manufacturers, dealers, and customers.

WHAT WAS YOUR RV BACKGROUND

BEFORE BECOMING AN RV INSPECTOR?

My background wouldn't necessarily be one that you would associate with this type of work. I was the Chief

Information Officer for an electronics manufacturer before I retired at the age of 60, and spent most of my

career in Information Technology, with a short stint of approximately 3 years as a Training manager. However,

my wife and I have been campers for much of our married life, having started with a pop-up when our children

were little. We had always discussed traveling the country in a motorhome when we retired, and we did buy

our motorhome within about 6 months after retirement, which is now almost 8 years ago. I have also been a

homeowner for over 40 years and have the knowledge of maintaining most of the items in and around a

home. The systems in an RV are different, but not significantly different.

Win Semmler #878 RVIS, LLC

www.rvinspectionservices.com Naperville, Illinois

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WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE INSPECTION/CLIENT

EXPERIENCE AND WHY?

I think the most memorable was the very first inspection I performed. The inspection was on a fairly new

Class A gas motorhome that our customer was planning to purchase from a well-known dealer. In the days

preceding the inspection, we experienced a significant amount of rainfall. The inspection was being

performed indoors so I was expecting a good outcome.

Unfortunately, upon entering the RV, the

carpeting in the cab area from the driver side

wall all the way over to the passenger side

wall was completely soaked with water.

DO YOU OWN AN RV AND IF

SO, WHAT IS THE YEAR, MAKE,

AND MODEL?

Yes, Joanne and I own a 2007 Fleetwood

Southwind 35A with a Ford chassis and Triton V-10 engine. We purchased it used in December 2009 and it

had approximately 10,000 miles on the odometer. We have made quite a few lengthy trips, and have also

used it to take us to inspections. We currently have about 45,000 miles on the odometer. We are now

thinking about the potential upgrade to a diesel pusher.

BRICK AND STICK,

OR FULL-TIME RVER?

For the time being, we are primarily Brick and

Stick. We own our home in Naperville, Illinois and

we also own a home in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Our

business is incorporated in the state of Wisconsin,

and our plan is to sell our Brick & Stick in

Naperville, then spend our summers in Wisconsin

and winters in a warm climate. Right now, we are

leaning to the Gulf Shores, Alabama area.

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WHAT TYPES OF MARKETING DO YOU

DO ONLINE AND LOCALLY?

I try to use as many of the current social networking tools as

possible. At least those that make the most sense from a business

perspective. Our company currently has a presence on Facebook,

LinkedIn, and Twitter. As I become aware of other tools I try to

evaluate if the target audience is one that would make sense for our

business to pursue. I use Facebook for advertising, and it appears for

us to be an effective means of getting a return on a minimal

investment. I also visit local dealers as well as the dealers on my route

to Wisconsin and let them know of our services as well as how inspections can help their business. Additionally,

we attend as many of the local RV shows as possible to pass out flyers and business cards wherever possible.

The shows also provide the opportunity to learn more about features and functions of RV's you haven't seen

before. I also hope to get into some shows as a presenter and conduct some seminars.

WHAT TIP(S) WOULD YOU OFFER TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING

A NEW VENTURE IN RV INSPECTIONS?

Like any other venture, if you want to be successful you must enjoy what you are doing and work hard to achieve

it. Then add in a little self-confidence plus the ability to turn some of your regular expenses into business tax

deductions and you are almost ready to go. Finally, as in almost anything you do, get yourself as educated/trained

as possible and continue to keep on learning.

HOW HAS BEING A MEMBER OF NRVIA HELPED YOU IN YOUR

RV INSPECTION JOURNEY?

The first thing most consumers look for when

seeking a service is whether or not the person or

organization providing that service is qualified to

do so. As an NRVIA member, you are entitled to

use their logos, seals, and certificates on your

business materials to show that you have attained

a level of qualification. Additionally, the fact that

certification requires an ongoing commitment to

continuing education units helps you to continue

on a path of education and information, which as

a result should make you more qualified.