Welcome to The Novice. Today it is my pleasure to share with you my interview with Harley Sitner, the amazing Seattle entrepreneur and driving force behind Peace Vans, a company that embodies the spirit of adventure and community. This episode will show you what it takes to take the leap and to leave a comfortable office job in the pursuit of happiness, even if that means stress and long hours for miles on end.
If you want a shortcut to decide whether you want to hear the full episode, take a look at my collection of Harley Sitner shorts on YouTube from the first 30 minutes of the interview. If you like ‘em, please give them a thumbs-up and help me share the episode. Every listener counts, and that means you!
Harley’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but conventional. After a successful stint at Microsoft, where he honed his skills in marketing and small business engagement, Harley purchased a struggling VW repair shop in Seattle, transforming it into the thriving business it is today.
In this episode, Harley talks about:
• His love for Burning Man and how it inspires his business 🌟
• The rollercoaster ride of running a small business with epic highs and challenging lows 🚀
• Hilarious and heartfelt stories from the van life community 🚐❤️
• The importance of creativity and personal connections in entrepreneurship🎨
Under Harley’s leadership, Peace Vans has grown exponentially, now employing around 30 people across multiple buildings and managing a fleet of vans that delight customers with both nostalgic charm and modern upgrades, including electric conversions. The company generates approximately $10 million in revenue annually, showcasing Harley’s acumen in scaling a business while maintaining a strong sense of community and customer satisfaction.
Peace Vans is not just a business for Harley; it’s a creative outlet and a way to build meaningful relationships. His commitment to customer service is unparalleled, often going above and beyond to ensure his customers have memorable experiences. This dedication is reflected in stories where he personally addresses customer issues, even if it means driving through the night to deliver a replacement van.
In addition to Peace Vans, Harley has just expanded his entrepreneurial ventures by acquiring Sekr, an innovative app designed to connect van enthusiasts and provide a platform for sharing travel experiences. This acquisition aligns perfectly with his passion for building communities and enhancing the travel lifestyle for van owners.
Harley’s story is a testament to following one’s passions and the rewards of taking risks. Whether he’s mentoring small business owners, engaging with customers, or innovating within the van life community, Harley Sitner remains a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit and dedication. His journey continues to inspire many, proving that with vision, creativity, and a bit of tenacity, dreams can indeed become reality.
Connect with Harley
• Peace Vans
• Harley Sitner
Connect with Kirill
• Encourage your friends to sign up for the The Novice Newsletter
• Kirill Zubovsky
Ready to Dive In?
Listen to the full episode here, on YouTube, on Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.
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Buy a van: If you need a daily driver that can also double as a camper, and you don’t go too far or plan on doing extreme off-roading, Peacevans might be right for you.
If you liked this episode, you will probably like the one before it where Stewart Alsop talks about buying exotic birds, living in South America, learning “readneck science” and much more.
If you know a little bit about startup life and venture capital, you might also enjoy this episode with a fake VC. He’s a comedian. He’s got 20k followers on LinkedIn. He sounds incredibly real, and yet, it’s a long running joke.
Lastly, if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or you just need to get something off your chest, feel free to email me. I’d love to hear from more of my readers.
Stay awesome!
Kirill Zubovsky
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