[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to A Place to Call Home. I'm Ed Bridgman, engineer, developer and founder of EOB Consulting. Today we're exploring how innovative RV destinations are redefining modern living. You're watching now Media Television.
Hello and welcome to A Place to Call Home. I'm your host, Ed Bridgman and I'm excited for for about this episode. I know you are all going to love hearing what Randall Whipple has to say. He's the owner of Trail Boss RV and Horse Resort. He brings a remarkable entrepreneurial journey shaped by four decades of building community focused businesses across very different industries.
And what makes his story so compelling for this show is that he's now channeling that operational depth into a new vision for a luxury outdoor hospitality destination.
One that blends premium RV living, equine lifestyle, and a more elevated experience for modern travelers looking for freedom, comfort and connection.
Today, I want to explore how that vision comes together, what problems it solves in the marketplace, and why projects like this speak to the future and how people want to live, travel and belong.
I'm going to open by framing the evolution of the outdoor hospitality industry and the growing demand for destinations that offer more than just a parking space or a place to pass through.
I want to use Randall's story to establish how lifestyle, hospitality, land use and entrepreneurship are converging in a new way and how Trail Boss RV and Horse Resort is positioning itself very wisely inside that movement.
So thank you for being with me today, Randall.
[00:02:08] Speaker B: Howdy. Thanks for having me. Appreciate it.
[00:02:12] Speaker A: Good Texas. Howdy. I am so happy to see that Randall always has a hat. He's a very much a gentleman. He goes into a restaurant, takes his hat off. Sometimes I forget. But Randall is very much a Texas cowboy. And with that, Randall, I want to start this off by give us some more history about you. How did you get from where you started to today?
[00:02:39] Speaker B: Well, I. I grew up in the Texas Panhandle, just south of Amarillo on a ranch down in the Palo Dura Canyon.
We were adjacent to that and, and I loved being a cowboy as a kid.
But as I got a little older, my dad told me, you know what, this place isn't big enough for the two of us. And I wasn't that great of a roper.
So instead of becoming a full time cowboy, I thought I'd better go to college and figure out something else to do. So I did that. And then after I got into business in the, in the late 80s, I really started messing, missing being a cowboy and being out there horseback So I started a new venture as a part time job and we called it the Creekwood Ranch Old west show and Chuck Wagon Supper. And we entertained people from all over the world and it was a historic kind of evening where you take a wagon ride into the canyon, be fed at the chuck wagon and folks came from all over to see us. And it became very successful, did that for about 10 years and it almost got out of hand. It was successful. We would see in about 600 people a day for about six and a half months out of the year. So it was a lot of fun.
It was my introduction into the, into the tourism business, into hospitality. Learned a lot and loved it.
Once we transitioned out of that, I got into the it business really heavy and built up a couple of big IT businesses and kind of missed, got away from that and I started missing it. So in 2020 I sold out of my businesses and I've been trying to figure out ever since how to get back in the saddle per se. But so we're in the middle of creating the our new RV adventure and you know, working on our guest experience to make sure we come up with some really good and thanks to you, Ed, you've got us moving forward on our plan and so very excited to be somewhat semi announcing the our new trail boss RV and horse resort. So pretty excited to get here and really excited about being able to take a lot what I've learned over the past 40 years and putting it into this facility.
[00:05:08] Speaker A: Well, Randall, I'm always happy to talk about me, but. And I'll thank you for the compliment, but I think you're being very modest. I happen to know a little bit more about you than what you let on.
Aren't you the president of a rodeo?
Help me out here.
[00:05:27] Speaker B: Well, I helped, I helped start, 32 years ago, I helped start the Working Ranch Cowboys association and Foundation. That was just at the end of my Creekwood Ranch days and so I started that and it's a great flourishing operation now. We sanctioned 26 ranch rodeos across America today.
Bring all the winners into Amarillo, Texas the second weekend in November for the largest fundraiser for the Cowboys Association Foundation. And all that money we generate goes to help working cowboys and their families across America in times of need and super proud of that. We help cowboys, you know, they get hurt or wife born with, you know, child born with birth defects, wife gets breast cancer, whatever, we're there to help that cowboy get back in the saddle, to put a stake on your plate is what I like to say.
And Oddly enough, yesterday, not oddly enough, but happily enough, yesterday we actually gave out 69 scholarships to kids all over the country. We give out four year college scholarships. They don't have to really go to college. They can go to welding school. You know, of course we've got lots of great programs around here like ranch and feedlot operations and. But we're even helping out some, some doctors, nurses, cosmetologists, whatever they want to be. We want to make those good citizens and, and so that's what we're helping with their education. And then our final thing that we do is relief fund and we're helping working cowboys all across the Midwest here that have been burned out with the fires. It's happened four times in our history and this year again is a bad one. And so we're there to help those guys as best we can.
[00:07:14] Speaker A: That is so great. I am very glad that I asked that probing question and got you to tell us about that because that's something that everybody needs to hear about one more time.
[00:07:24] Speaker B: The national, it's the Working Ranch Cowboys Association.
So rg, check us out on the Internet and it's a great thing. Come see us in November or see any of our 26 sanctioned ranch rodeos across America. And what's great is if you want to, if you're looking for a tool to donate money to where the money goes directly to these working cowboys in times of need. We are that tool and we do a great job of it. Very proud of helping these cowboys and we've got a great history and a bright future ahead of us.
[00:08:02] Speaker A: I am so happy for that. And I know I've gone to hundreds of rodeos over the years and even participated in a few, but a ranch rodeo just is like a regular rodeo on steroids. It is so much fun. And, and if you haven't been to a ranch rodeo, you gotta go, okay. It is, it is the best time you're going to have.
So you, you've spent all this history getting built up and you definitely have a background in, in hospitality either. The 10 years of the feeding people 600 people a day. OMG, that's a lot. Okay. And then being the president of this national association.
So you've been building these businesses at this stage in your career.
Why did you pick the outdoor hospitality industry? What's going on?
[00:08:57] Speaker B: Well, you know, I have got lots of friends. That rv, I've, I've enjoyed an RV for a long time and, and I wanted to. Living here in Amarillo, we hear a lot when you're at the gas station through town saying where's the cowboys at? We want to go see a rodeo or let's see real cowboys. Well, there's really not a great opportunity of that because they're too far off the highway for you to see. So what I want to do is bring them to town and right here on i40 and mix that so that the folks traveling in their RV or in their car can actually come to a facility where they can stay and they can be a part of and mix with working cowboys doing their thing. We're gonna have the opportunity for people to see a little rodeo every evening.
We're gonna have lots of western entertainment and it's going to be the real deal. It's going to be my buddies from all over the area around here will come into town and, and just they're enjoying mixing up with the tourists, wanting to meet the folks in their RVs and it ought to be a fun operation. We plan on having every RV escorted to their pad from a horseback cowboy. So we'll see how that goes.
[00:10:18] Speaker A: Well, I'm confident that it's going to go very well. We're completely off script, so I sent you some questions, but we haven' ask any of those, so don't worry about that.
But.
So you're going to be creating a unique opportunity to mix the RV industry with the people who are bringing their horses. Tell us a little bit more about those unique features.
Give me another minute's worth of sound bite about how you're building something unique
[00:10:51] Speaker B: to make this a unique property. Number one is, is when you first pull in, you're going to see horse stalls and those horse stalls are going to be available for rent for those people that are hauling their horses up and down the highway or even locals in the area.
And, and those horse stalls are going to set the mood for what else you're going to see because you're going to be able to rent an RV pad with horse stalls right next to it. So if you want, you can back your, your big old haul your horse hauling trailer with living quarters in it back into this pad, put your horses right there next to you. Be a whole different kind of process than your normal RV park. Right? And then in addition to that, we're going to build a great big barn with a riot with a rodeo arena in it, a saloon that overlooks the rodeo arena and climate controlled stalls as well. So that you can, if you've got some really high dollar horses that you want to keep them in a climate controlled environment. You can sure do that right here in Amarillo, Texas, even when it's cold, warm in those.
[00:12:02] Speaker A: Well, we're going to talk.
Well, I'm sorry for interrupting you, but we're going to talk a lot more about this. I'm going to close this segment by reinforcing the strongest concepts in the industry. Don't just provide space, they create an identity just like Randall's doing. Aspiration and a reason for people to stay there. I hope you'll come back right after this commercial break and hear what Randall is doing to be completely unique.
Look forward to it.
We'll be right back with more insight into designing communities that combine freedom, profitability and purpose. Stay tuned on NOW Media Television.
And we're back. I'm Ed Bridgman and this is A place to Call home on NOW Media Television. Let's continue the conversation.
Welcome back to A Place to Call Home with your host, Ed Bridgman. Stay connected to this show and every NOW MEDIA TV favorite live or on demand, anytime you like. Download the free Now Media TV app on Roku or iOS and unlock non stop bilingual programming in English and Spanish.
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so welcome back to A Place to Call Home. I'm here with Randall Whipple and we're talking about what really takes to build an outdoor hospitality destination that is distinct, distinctive and unique, yet serves a purpose. Randall, I had to interrupt you so we could go to commercial last, but now that you're back, I want you this segment to go ahead and focus specifically on your project.
So tell us, tell us what you're doing. Tell us how you got here.
[00:13:58] Speaker B: So what we're wanting to do is of course, combine the equine world and good old all American cowboys with the traveler that's looking for something different and unique for a new guest experience they haven't yet seen. So that's what we're building. We're gonna, we're building a big old barn that's gonna have a rodeo arena in it. And that rodeo arena is gonna give us a place to put on rodeos, Western advance, things of that nature that people aren't normally able to see whenever they're traveling down the highway and being situated right on I27 and, and I40. We are right there where it's easy for people to hop off the highway and come in. And if they want to stop with their RV, we've got 116 great pads for that. If they want to, if they're pulling horses and they want to take a break, they can pull in. We've got stalls right there for them to rent right next to their RV pad. And then we also have exercise pens available and the rodeo arena available for folks to exercise their horses. So a very unique opportunity there. And then in addition to that, if you're traveling and you don't have an RV, we're going to have 40 cowboy condos so that you can stay in this unique cowboy town and you'll be able to see, you know, we'll tell you, hey, you're going to stay in the general store or in Henry Han Saloon and, and each room will be decorated specifically for that, for that label and going to give you a great experience just like you're, like you're on a movie set. And so that's going to be another element that'll allow you to be in a unique area and get a unique guest experience.
And we're even opening this up to the public. We're going to have a public side of our, of our resort where you can go into the barn to see the rodeos and, and our western entertainment X. And you won't, but you won't be able to go into the RV side or where the condos are. So we can keep that private. So it's a really neat layout that we've developed so that we can have both kinds of folks. Whether you're staying there or not, you can come and enjoy our saloon, our restaurant, and enjoy western events in our arena.
No matter if you're just traveling and want to stay for an hour or two, or if you're going to stay for a week or two, we've got to have both that, those options as well.
[00:16:28] Speaker A: Awesome, awesome, awesome. Okay, well, I'm very familiar with this layout.
My team designed it. Okay, so, so I'd like to speak to it again. Paulo, if you can put that PDF back up of the design.
That first slide, you come in from the north up at the top of your picture and the first thing you see is the parking lot area and the barn and the horse stables for outdoor horse stables that could be rented to local people. Even people might leave their horses there all season long, who knows. And then you wrap around the barn, you go through a gate to get into the RV area and, and we've got a whole bunch of pull through sites for people who have really large trailers. A lot of these guys that are guys and girls that are traveling across country are pulling a big horse Trailer that they actually sleep in the front half and the horse is in the back half. So we've got a whole bunch of pull through sites and a whole bunch of sites that people can park their RV and have their horse literally right next door.
But you don't have to have a horse to come to the Trail Boss RV and Horse Resort.
You can bring a regular rv. We have a lot of spaces here.
And then you don't even have to have an RV because we can put you in a condo. But remind me again, how many acres are we working with here, Randall?
[00:18:02] Speaker B: So we've got a 30 acre plot that we're working with.
So that gives us just enough room to have plenty of RV pads and warm up arenas and round pens, things of that nature. Of course, along with our large parking lot, our barns, it's going to give us just enough room to have a nice cozy atmosphere. It's going to be private. Going to have a high fence all the way around it to keep everything secure. Right. Because you've got horses that might potentially get out. So there's lots of security.
You know, are there animals in? And so it's, it's going to be a nice, fun, safe place to be.
[00:18:40] Speaker A: That is fantastic. What if I want to come and, and enjoy a road? What if I want to go out to eat? Is there.
Can we do that?
[00:18:49] Speaker B: Absolutely. So our big barn is going to have a saloon. The Trail Boss saloon is going to have a full menu. And also we're going to have a band and dancing three days a week.
[00:18:59] Speaker A: You need to say that again. People want to hear that.
[00:19:05] Speaker B: Yeah. And so in the saloon will overlook the arena. So you'll actually be able to dine while being entertained with what's going on in the arena as well.
[00:19:15] Speaker A: That is such a fantastic, unique concept. I am so proud to have been part of a small part of this concept. I am. How did you find EOB consulting anyway?
[00:19:29] Speaker B: So, you know, that's fun. I, you know, I, I'm. I probably look a little too old to be this generation, but I like to use YouTube to find information that I'm looking for and podcasts and I just happened to stumble across you, Ed, on a, on a YouTube video and because I had been working on this for about a year and who I needed somebody with a little better perspective than what I had and more experience than what I have in the RV resort world. And so that's when I found you, Ed, and, and what a great teammate you've made in helping us develop this because you brought the, the experience, the knowledge of what you're learning at your, your own homestead RV park. And man, I tell you, it's been wonderful because the details that we've been able to get from you has helped us and of course the design work, everything else marketing is planning and the research has really helped us get a strong foothold moving forward.
[00:20:36] Speaker A: I'm so proud to be able to play a role in this wonderful vision that you are obviously extremely passionate and knowledgeable about.
You really have been a wonderful partner in this. Tell us some of the other partners that you're working with.
[00:20:54] Speaker B: So we've got, of course, anytime you build something of this size, you've got architects, you've got engineers, you've got to partner with the city. We're partnering with the city of Amarillo, partnering with the convention visitors bureau, partnering with the state of Texas, a lot of partners in that venue. Just, just to make sure that we, you know, number one, have, have all the safety and security and the building codes are taken care of. But in addition to that, we want to, we want to help spread the word as to what we're doing, of course. And so we're working with those other entities as well so that the day we open, we're full and we stay that way.
[00:21:34] Speaker A: That's good advice. If you can do that. That is, that is great.
That would be awesome. I, I know I for one can't wait for you to open up. When do you think you will be opening up?
[00:21:47] Speaker B: In February of 28 and we'll do a soft open face so that, so that come the end of March or middle of April, we're actually have the gates open and we're, we're ready for full on guests.
[00:22:03] Speaker A: So what are a couple of things that need to happen between here and grand opening?
[00:22:09] Speaker B: Well, so the number one thing I've got to do is, is find some more private equity investors that would like to come be a part of this program.
It's such a big program that it's taken quite a bit and I've been surprised at the, at the cost in this. But what's so surprising is, is what a great investment this could be because this is going to make quite a great return for those that jump in with us and invest in it. So we've got to get that going. We've got the dirt ready. It's just sitting there waiting right now. It's got wheat, pasture and cattle on this minute.
That will change as soon as we're fully funded and we're ready to put a shovel in the ground.
[00:22:53] Speaker A: Well, it can't happen soon enough. There's obviously a huge demand. I personally did the competitive analysis for this. I can tell you that there is a ton of people that are driving up and down I40 from the east to the west. I guess that's side to side from the east to the west with horses. I'm actually doing another one in Oklahoma on I40, another equine RV destination. So I can tell you the demand is high. There is a lot of necessity to get this thing built as soon as possible. And the unique things that you're bringing to yours, the luxury portion is going to make you stand out fantastically.
So I want people to know exactly how to get a hold of you. Can you give us your website again and your contact information?
[00:23:45] Speaker B: Actually, absolutely. So the website is trailboss RV.com Very simple. Or you can catch me via email@randy trailbossrv.com I tried to keep that as short and simple as possible.
[00:24:00] Speaker A: How about a phone number?
[00:24:02] Speaker B: How about 806-236-2206?
Right here in the crown of Texas.
[00:24:09] Speaker A: Say your phone number again.
[00:24:12] Speaker B: 806-236-2206.
[00:24:16] Speaker A: Very good. Well, people, I hope you'll stick around. Get up, stretch, go get you a beer and come back because we are going to be talking some more to Randall Whipple in Amarillo, Texas about his project, his design, what he's building that is absolutely unique but necessary in the outdoor hospitality industry.
We'll be right back with more insight into designing communities that combine freedom, profitability and purpose. Stay tuned on NOW Media Television.
And we're back. I'm Ed Bridgman and this is a place to call home on NOW Media Television. Let's continue the conversation.
And we're back on a place to call home.
I'm your host, Ed Bridgman and I am having fun, just having a conversation like a couple of good old boys with my friend Randall Whipple from Amarillo, Texas.
So far we've talked about the vision and the lifestyle. We're going to hit that a little bit harder. But now I want to get into some more about the uniqueness because this is truly unique.
This goes beyond the five RV destination types of being a park or a campground or a resort or a community or a hybrid that we've talked about in other episodes.
Randall is developing a resort style atmosphere where people come there to enjoy the amenities that are on site.
The barn and the dancing and the saloon and they can exercise their horses There is so diversity that they can apply to this one concept. It is so fascinating and I can tell you from first hand experience, it is so necessary. As I mentioned briefly in the last segment, I'm actually doing another one of these similarly in OKLAHOMA Also on I40.
So people are, people are going to want to travel from east to west, west to east and they're going to want to stop at both of these locations. So Randall, please.
Thank you. Did I tell you thank you for being on my show?
[00:26:50] Speaker B: Absolutely. Well, you're welcome.
[00:26:53] Speaker A: Well, I hope I did.
I hope I said thank you, but thank you for being on this show. Thank you for making a place to call home worth watching. I appreciate that, that very much but. Okay. Okay Randall, we're going to have a rodeo ground. Tell us, tell us some more about your state of the art rodeo. Tell, tell us more about your project.
[00:27:20] Speaker B: Well, so the facility is going to be state of the art. We're going to use the latest in electronics and in technology to make sure that there's a, there's a, a smooth, low hassle factor, check in process and all that kind of good stuff. Stuff. We want it to be a great guest experience.
And, and part of that though as well is, is we don't, we're looking for more than just the normal guest. Right. Because we are, are hoping that we can have business year round in Amarillo, Texas. It does get a little cold and chilly, but during the off season one of the great things that we're planning on doing is we're going to have a lot of clinics, equine clinics. So whether you want to learn to train your horse better, to be a better rider, to be a roper, to be a better jumper, you name it. We're going to be putting on those clinics and bringing the top clinicians into the trail Boss resort to hand to do that. And what a great opportunity, right? You can bring your living quarters trailer and you can stay in one of, on one of our pads or if you don't have a living quarters trailer, come stay in one of our cowboy condos. And so then you'll be able to spend the week learning in a climate controlled environment indoors. And it'll be a great opportunity for folks during the off season when they're not rodeoing across the country.
So one of that's one of the things that I think will set us apart and makes this a great investment as well is that we have a plan, a marketing plan and a business plan that includes business year round and we're not backing way off during the cold months when the tourists are not, you know, the kids are in school and the tourists aren't driving up down the highway.
[00:29:05] Speaker A: Well, you could be full during the cold months with people coming down from up north that have even worse, even harsher conditions.
In this last question, you mentioned two different times, the off season. But, but I don't think you were talking about necessarily the RV off season. I think you were talking about the rodeo off season. Am I correct?
[00:29:32] Speaker B: Right. I'm talking about the equine enthusiast off season, whether they're doing the sport of rodeo or whatever they're doing with their horses. So in the wintertime, most folks, you know, aren't doing that many things. So we're going to be offering some great classes, great opportunity for people to come with their horses. And the cool thing about this too is that those that don't have a horse are invited to come watch. And so this is going to be a neat thing for about anybody from any background, whether they've got a horse or not, to be able to come in year round. We're going to have things going on in the winter time as well.
So we won't have an off season for our RV traffic, we'll have an off season for the rodeo side of things. But, but we'll have clinics and western entertainment during those months, those colder months as well.
[00:30:23] Speaker A: And what a wonderful opportunity for the youngsters.
I know you, Randall, and I know that you're thinking about how are you going to be influencing the next generation cowboy? Can you speak to that for just a couple of moments?
[00:30:39] Speaker B: You know, absolutely. That next generation is so important. In fact, in our ranch rodeos we do so much as anything we can to get that next generation interested, involved, educated and get them to become cowboys. Right. And so we're going to offer lots of great things for the kids as well. We're going to have roping dummies that little kids can rope, you know, 24 hours a day. Because I know as a, you get a five or six year old of rope and you teach them how to do that. They're going to, they're going to constantly be roping. They won't have time for that iPad, you know, because they'll be out there roping the dummy. So we're, we're excited about having those type of things for the kids, you know, the typical playground things. But we're going to offer them in a cowboy way and get those kids interested in riding and roping and enjoying a horse and equine will have those options and availability in our, in our, in our set as well.
[00:31:36] Speaker A: What a fantastic vision. You are truly a fantastic entrepreneur with a huge, wonderful vision.
So how have you Learned in your 40 years of history, how have you learned to balance creativity with discipline when building something brand new like this?
[00:31:57] Speaker B: Well, and that, you know, that's, that's a little tough because your imagination can run wild, baby, that's for sure.
But what we've, what we've done is we've, we, we had a dream board and we've now got that dream quantified down to a reality board. Right. So what we have on our, on our plan is reality. And these things will pay for themselves quite well. They will offer a guest experience that is unimagined today.
And we're, we've got elements in this that we haven't even talked about yet that are, that will provide the type of experience for people want to come back week after week and year after year. Right. So that's where we think we have to kind of mix a little bit of fun excitement. For instance, our cowboy condos. That's going to be an old west street. You're going to feel like you're in the movie Gun Smoke when you're walking down that street to go to your room. And I think that experience will really be fun for families that are coming through Amarillo. They can come in and they can stay a day or two or three, or however long they want to and enjoy that type of atmosphere. It's going to be amazing for the imagination, for the kids and for the adults alike.
[00:33:10] Speaker A: That's fantastic. And I know exactly what you're talking about because I did that 10 year feasibility analysis myself.
So we mentioned earlier, you, you found me on some YouTube video that I'd done. You caught, called me and how was that experience once you contacted me?
What happened after that?
[00:33:33] Speaker B: Well, you put me to the test, dad. That's what you did.
Yeah, you, I, and I appreciated that you, you had a great questionnaire that, that I filled out. And I was, I love that because I had been working on a business plan, you know, trying to develop this model, working on different ideas. And so you helped me quantify that through that. And then our first conversation was, was great because you, you, at first I was kind of surprised you wanted to work with me because I kind of felt I might have been a little out there, but that turned into a great conversation and, and it didn't take long for me to realize that I wanted to work with you and to get this idea rolling. And, and so it's been a very good experience.
You know, you, you had the design team we needed and you've got the knowledge we needed to get this thing kind of figured out. And you know, you've done lots of great things. In fact, even, you know, having the meetings where we could meet people from around the country that were. That are financing things like this and, and then other people that your other clients as well, that was great to do. And so it was an excellent package and we've been very happy.
[00:34:45] Speaker A: Well, I'm glad you're happy. That is my desire. So one of the things we did was I actually traveled to Amarillo and we actually walked the property together, rode through your pickup, was in your pickup. We weren't walking, but we drove around the property a couple of times. I actually returned to the property when you weren't there to look at it from a different lens. And then I spent a couple of days in the area talking to your peers and your competitors and figure out what their occupancy. Occupancy rate was and what they were doing that was unique. And as I remember, we had a special meeting with you and the mayor, was it?
[00:35:27] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, we met with the mayor. I wanted to make sure that, that the mayor understood what we were up to and you know, he was glad to meet you. And, and that was an excellent meeting and that has helped ever since. So it kind of got us put off on the right foot. And I recommend that to anybody that's trying to build a good sized project to, to make sure that the mayor is on your team.
[00:35:52] Speaker A: Absolutely. What we learned about that from that meeting is that I was able to ask a few questions that would have been awkward for you to ask, but coming from the outside, I could put the mayor kind of on the spot a couple of times. And, and I could do that without putting you in a bad light.
[00:36:16] Speaker B: Yeah, it worked really well. I like to call that the good cop, bad cop deal. And, and it worked out quite well. And, and we were able to get answers that we needed. And, and it helped us get. Get off on the right foot. And so it's, it's been handy. And, and having talk to somebody for me, sure has been helpful.
[00:36:39] Speaker A: I'm glad I can be of service. I want to end this segment by highlighting that behind every standard destination is a founder. Every standout destination. I'm sorry, I knew I read that wrong. Behind every standout destination is a founder who knows how to turn ambition into structure and structure into a lasting experience.
I hope that you'll stay tuned for our last segment where I get to talk more to Randall about what he needs moving forward and the steps that we're going to take us from where we're at to where we want to go.
We'll be right back with more insight into designing communities that combine freedom, profitability and purpose. Stay tuned on NOW Media Television.
And we're back. I'm Ed Bridgman and this is A place to Call home on NOW Media Television. Let's continue the conversation.
Welcome back to A Place to Call Home. I'm your host, Ed Bridgman and I hope that you stay connected to all these episodes. I'm having so much fun. You can find them on NOW Media TV live on demand anytime you like. You can Download the free Now Media TV app on Roku or iOS and unlock non stop bilingual programming in both English and Spanish.
If you're on the move riding a horse out in the pasture, check the podcast version on www.nowmedia.tv.
alright, Randall, you've been a fantastic interviewee and I have had so much fun catching up.
But as we wrap this show up, I want you to draw us a map. Okay. I want you to tell us exactly where you are in this project and exactly we've been talking a lot about where we're going to go. We have a pretty good idea what it's going to look like when it's developed.
But I need, I want you to fill in the middle part. How do we get from a cow pasture to the Trail Boss RV and Horse Resort in Amarillo, Texas?
[00:39:01] Speaker B: So that's a great question.
The answer is easy. It's just, we just need some more partners to help us fund. We are absolutely ready with plans, drawings, all. We've got our civil engineer work done. We've got lots of that work done. We're just waiting to fully fund the project before we take off and we've got room for partners to still come in, partner with us on this and take this deal on and make something big for America, something huge for the Texas Panhandle and something that will last generations and give families and cowboys and cowgirls are like a great set of memories to have moving forward. It's, it's a, it's something more than an RV park and it's more than an RV resort. And that's why it's so important that we put this deal together.
The one of the things is though, it's, it's a big, big project so that it does take quite a bit of money to put this deal together. But we're right there on the cusp. We've done all the studies, we've done all the plans, we're ready to go, we've got the land setting, they're ready to go and it's just a matter of getting the funding, putting it together and starting to put a shovel in the ground. So we are very, very close. And in fact we could be ready to start construction in a matter of a month or two, just as soon as our funding is complete.
[00:40:25] Speaker A: That is fantastic. I work. I as.
Sorry as EOB Consulting is the largest outdoor hospitality consultant in the United States.
I work with more clients every year than the next two consultants, the next two larger consultants combined.
So I see it all. I see the good, the bad and the ugly and I see people who are looking for funding and they're not nearly as far down the road as you are.
They wanting people to give them millions of dollars and they are still a year away, six months away from breaking ground. And then once you break ground, how long do you think it's going to take after you break ground before your grand opening?
[00:41:10] Speaker B: I think we're going to be somewhere about 16 months, maybe even potentially a little less because we've been talking with our contractors and we're, we've got a plan to do this basically three contractors at a time so that we can really cover some ground and get things built quickly. Because of course, you know, time is money and that's the deal. Soon as we break ground, we're going to be building this deal quick and we're going to be getting the dirt work done for all aspects. And then we'll have one contractor that's putting the big barn complex in, another contractor that's putting up the horse stalls and the fence and all that kind of thing. And then of course a third contractor doing all these wonderful concrete work and, and gravel work, putting in the roads and things for the, for the RV pads and the plumbing and that kind of thing as well.
So it's going to be a. We've got a multi layered process ready to go. It's just going to be a matter of turning on the switch.
[00:42:09] Speaker A: And as I was saying earlier before you started, there are so many people that are looking for funding just to purchase the land.
They haven't gone nearly as far down the road to success as you have.
So yes, it's going to be over a year before you go from breaking ground to grand opening. But That's a year shorter than a lot of other people that are out there looking for funding.
So there's going to be some investors who are wise enough to understand the possibilities and the low risk involved in this particular project.
I own EOB Consulting. I'm the largest consultant in the United States in the outdoor hospitality industry. I did the feasibility analysis for this project. That's how I met Randall. And I can tell you firsthand, this project is necessary.
There is a huge demand.
He's going to be profitable very soon after a grand opening and he's going to be profitable all year round.
Unfortunately, there's a lot of these projects that have a season to them and they make a, make a lot of money during a certain season, but they have struggled during the off season.
When Randall was mentioning off season, he was talking about the rodeo off season. He's not going to have an RV destination off season. Even in those colder months. He's got a plan to keep it profitable. He's got diversification with the saloon, with the dance floor, the bands coming in with the. Even if you don't have an RV a place for you to stay.
He's going to be putting on rodeos during rodeo season, but in the off season he's going to be putting on classes and working with the kids.
And I know I'm talking too much and I apologize, but in this day and age, no matter which party you voted for, everybody needs to get behind America.
America has.
You've got to take pride in America. This country is the best country in the United States. And there's no other sport in the world that celebrates America as much as the rodeo industry.
It is fantastic. Can you speak to that for a few minutes, Randall?
[00:44:50] Speaker B: Absolutely. You know, we're very proud to be Americans and here in Texas. We're very proud to be Texas. And we're going to share that with everybody that comes to the Trail Boss RV and Horse Resort. And you know, the pomp and circumstance of rodeo is something that we're very proud of and something that people really enjoy. And so when we do our little rodeos here for the, for the guests we have each night, we're going to perform that, that very same pop and circumstance to make sure that they have that great feeling, you know, that, that tear jerking feeling when you see that big American flag flying through the arena. That's going to be a big deal. And we want to share that with everybody across the world. And this is a great opportunity to do that with this resort opening up when it does it's going to affect a lot of people in a great, positive way.
[00:45:41] Speaker A: Absolutely. As I mentioned earlier, I've attended and participated in a great deal of rodeos over my lifetime. They all have a grand entry.
And traditionally, I don't mean to put you on the spot here, but traditionally, if you ride a horse through the grand entry, you get in to see the rodeo for free. Are you going to do that, Randall?
[00:46:06] Speaker B: Why, absolutely.
[00:46:08] Speaker A: Absolutely. So bring your horse, and they'll have a rodeo every weekend during the season, and you can ride your horse through the grand entry and get admission into the rodeo for free.
All right, so there's a. The grand entry is all the cowboys, all the horses, everybody from around gets to ride in around the flags and present themselves to the audience. The national anthem is played.
The stars and stripes are flying high.
And as a veteran, I am proud to say that at every rodeo I've ever been to, they take a moment to say their thanks to the veterans. After everybody else has sat down, after the prayer, they have the veterans stand up and be recognized. And I admit it makes me feel good to know that I serve this country and that I'm being recognized and thanked for my service.
It's something that I'm proud to do, and I'm proud to go to rodeos where we still honor that sacred tradition.
And I'm just so happy to be a part of this process, this wonderful project. So, Randall, tell us again, how can people get a hold of you?
[00:47:35] Speaker B: So the easiest way is to catch me by email, and that's Randy trailbossrv.com or you can go to the website and. And pull my email address off of there. Or if you want to call me, I'm at 806-236-2206 right here in Amarillo, Texas.
[00:47:57] Speaker A: Now, Randall, I. I know I don't write as fast as you talk, okay?
So I would like for you to run, run through that one more time real quick, please.
[00:48:09] Speaker B: So that's. That's Randy R A N D y@trail boss rv.com t r a l b o s s r v.com then that phone number is 806-236-2206.
[00:48:30] Speaker A: Well, I can tell you folks, I am grateful to have this conversation with Randall Whipple. What stands out to me is that the future of this space is not just about where people park or stay. It's about how we create places that reflect who we are, what we value, and how we want to live.
America is changing how we live. Everybody knows there's a low income housing shortage. The RV industry is providing America and alternative lifestyle.
Randall is providing us a real opportunity so that we can not only live that lifestyle the way we want to, but we can share it with our equine friends.
I hope you'll stay tuned or I hope you'll come back next. I know you'll come back next week and enjoy another episode of A Place to Call Home with your host, Ed Bridgman.
