In this episode of RV Rental Secrets, co-hosts Garr Russell and Stacy Maxon dive into a powerful phrase coined during a Fireside Franchise Chat: “Hard times equal hard lines.”

They explore how difficult moments in business—whether it’s dealing with disgruntled renters, unexpected breakdowns, or last-minute bookings—can actually become catalysts for creating strong systems and boundaries that protect your time, energy, and sanity.

• Why pain is the ultimate motivator for change (Tony Robbins-style!)

• Creating SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to remove emotion from decisions

• How to set clear refund policies and renter communication protocols

• Using boundaries like “closed on Sundays” to avoid burnout

• Charging convenience fees for last-minute bookings

• Why minimum night stays can make your business more profitable and less stressful

• The power of automation and AI tools like ChatGPT to build your SOPs quickly

• Real-life examples from Garr & Stacy’s own RV rental journeys

When hard situations arise in your business, don’t just survive them—learn from them. Let the frustration you feel in the moment become the foundation for a new policy or system that prevents future stress. Hard times can shape better businesses—if we let them.

“Worrying about something not working robs you of the energy you need to actually make it work.”