Don Wallace Collection

Owner

Don Wallace is the president, CEO, and founder of Lazydays RV SuperCenter, the largest RV dealership globally, based in Seffner, Florida. The business started over 28 years ago when Don sold his first trailer for $500. In the mid-1970s, along with his father and brother, he established Lazy Days RV, which eventually grew to seven stores generating $70 million in sales. However, Don later decided to consolidate the business into a single massive RV supercenter in Tampa Bay, which proved highly successful.

Lazy Days RV is known for its massive 150-acre complex with over 1,000 RVs, a service center with 230 bays, and rally facilities, making it a unique destination. The majority of its revenue comes from new and used vehicle sales, along with maintenance, repair, financing, and insurance services. The customer base primarily comprises retirees in their 50s and 60s who can spend up to $1.2 million on luxury motor coaches.

Despite some challenges in the early 2000s, including a slowdown in the industry, Lazy Days continued to thrive. Don Wallace aims to reach $1 billion in sales by 2005 and plans to expand the dealership concept to five new locations in Texas, Arizona, Oregon, and yet-to-be-determined cities in the Northeast and Midwest.

While the average age of Lazy Days customers is 64, the RV industry is seeing growth among younger buyers. Don emphasizes the importance of treating customers like family to foster loyalty and ensure they return to purchase newer and larger RVs. The company has 576 employees who receive weekly customer service seminars.

Don Wallace is a multimillionaire with a lavish lifestyle, owning mansions and luxury cars, even though he doesn't own an RV himself. He remains actively involved in the business and envisions traveling around the country in a motorhome with his family. Don's vision for Lazy Days extends beyond his tenure as CEO, with plans to continue growing the business and possibly expand outside Florida.

In 2001, Lazy Days RV generated $584 million in revenue, making it the largest RV dealership in the nation, and it is expected to maintain its strong presence and expand in the future.