Stay Tuned Episode 5: Chatting All Things Caravanning With Zone RV CEO Adrian
The next episode of Just Autos Stay Tuned is here, and we’re so excited to share it with you. This time, we’re diving into the world of caravanning with none other than Adrian Toft, the CEO of Zone RV. From his humble beginnings growing up on a cane farm in Bundaberg to leading one of the most innovative companies in the caravan industry, Adrian’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
In this post, we give you a quick sneak peek into his experiences, the hurdles he’s faced, and the unique path that brought him to the helm of Zone RV. From inspiring entrepreneurial tales and deep insights into leadership to fascinating details about the caravanning world – this episode has something for everyone!
Getting To Know Adrian Toft
Growing up on a cane farm in Bundaberg, Adrian’s roots are deeply planted in a hardworking, rural lifestyle. From a young age, he was quite different from the other children —more interested in practical experiences than traditional schooling. By 14, he’d already decided that conventional education wasn’t for him and going so far as to write to Education Queensland, declaring he was ready to go his own way!
A Passion For Community
Before anything else, Adrian’s heart has always been in community work. Working with at-risk youth, he learned the true meaning of resilience and compassion. Adrian’s experiences ranged from taking troubled kids on challenging hikes in the bush to becoming a big source of support for those in need.
Growing up in a privileged environment, Adrian says that his work with these children was an eye-opener. It made him realise the incredible strength it takes just to show up and face each day. It wasn’t just about solving problems but about consistently being there for those who needed it most. Seeing the transformation in these young lives—some of whom went on to make significant changes in their own lives—was incredibly rewarding.
It’s this passion and values that he takes to Zone RV, turning it into the success it is today!
From Customer To CEO
Although his background might seem unconventional for a CEO in the caravan industry, Adrian Toft’s start at Zone RV is the perfect example of how unexpected paths can lead to remarkable destinations!
Adrian’s early dreams were rooted in the rural life he knew best—farming. But, it’s his ambition and drive that set him apart, which even led him to start his own business at 16!
Adrian’s early years were also marked by a deep passion for bringing people together and making a difference. His diverse working background includes roles as a community development worker and a youth worker, where he focused on Indigenous youth and at-risk kids.
After many successful years, Adrian decided to take a break from his routine to explore something new. He took six months off to travel, which is what led him to purchase a new caravan.
However, what started as an exciting new adventure quickly turned into a frustrating experience. He found himself disappointed with the lengthy and cumbersome process of purchasing his caravan. A lot of the joy was quickly overshadowed by a “painful” and “clunky” process that took over four and a half hours! His first weekend in the new caravan wasn’t smooth either, filled with issues and a lack of quality customer support.
Instead of just walking away, he reached out to the shareholders of Zone RV, sharing his experience and offering suggestions on how the company could improve. His proactive approach and insightful feedback caught their attention and within two weeks, Adrian was onboard as a consultant.
His people skills and knack for identifying what was working and what wasn’t quickly made a big impact. It wasn’t long before he became an integral part of the team, using his unique perspective to help Zone RV navigate its growth and improve its customer experience.
Overcoming Challenges & Future-Proofing Zone RV
The results speak for themselves. What began with a passionate customer’s desire to make a difference has evolved into quite the impressive success story!
Adrian’s vision was clear: Zone RV couldn’t stay where it was. The company needed a transformation to meet evolving customer expectations and provide a better experience for both customers and employees. He recognized that while the quality of the caravans— from building and manufacturing to design— was top-notch, the people side of the operation was lacking.
Since Adrian joined Zone RV, the company has seen some phenomenal growth, increasing by an incredible 60% every year for the past three years! This success wasn’t achieved alone; it was about assembling a top-notch team and ensuring the company could invest in its people.
With a commitment to improving every aspect of the operation, he set a bold three-year goal for himself and achieved it in just eight months. Now, having gone fully digital, customers can enjoy an automated, streamlined process for ordering their caravans.
Ensuring Zone RV Offers The Best Of The Best
Zone RV’s approach is anything but conventional. Investing a significant amount of time into research and development, they regularly look outside the industry for opportunities and innovative solutions. From advanced 3D printing and modelling to using high-quality materials, Zone RV is at the cutting edge of technology.
But, despite their impressive achievements, the team at Zone RV remains humble. They believe in their potential to expand even further and continue to innovate, but they stay grounded and focused on their mission and passion for the community.
What To Expect In Episode 5?
Episode 5 is jam-packed! From Adrian’s early years and passion for community to the values that got him to where he is today. But that’s not all. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the other topics we cover:
Rapid Fire Questions: Finally, we wrap up with a fun and fast-paced round of rapid-fire questions.e.
Plans for Traveling: Adrian shares his personal passion for travel, touring, and camping. He reveals some of his future travel plans and what inspires his love for exploring.
Nerding Out About Toyotas: Both Matt and Adrian share their enthusiasm for Toyota vehicles and why they’re a go to choice – for day-to-day driving and adventures!
Insights into the Caravanning Industry: Adrian offers his expert perspective on where the industry is headed.
Focusing on Quality Over Quantity: Adrian gets into Zone RV’s strategy of concentrating on a smaller range of products to ensure they’re the absolute best.
Educating Customers: We get into the importance Zone RV places on educating its customers. From informative videos to detailed guides, Adrian explains how they’re dedicated to ensuring their clients are well-informed and confident in their decisions.
What Sets Zone RV Apart: Adrian delves into more of the unique elements that make Zone RV a leader in the industry. It’s not just about what they build but how they build it.
What A Ride!
Our latest episode of the Stay Tuned Podcast with Adrian Toft, CEO of Zone RV, is packed with fascinating insights and stories that you won’t want to miss.
For a deeper dive into Adrian’s experiences and to hear more about what makes Zone RV a standout in the industry, be sure to check out the full podcast episode! Don’t miss out on more exciting conversations and behind-the-scenes stories from industry leaders and innovators!