By Amanda Kuhnert
Will Kuntzelmann had been living in Colorado for nearly two decades when he and his wife, Erica, decided to move home to Vermont. For years, Will and his father had brainstormed business ideas for a parcel of land they owned in Jeffersonville. An avid outdoorsman and camper, Will eventually settled on the idea of creating an RV campground—offering others the chance to enjoy the great outdoors in a place he knew and loved.
“I’ve always loved camping and hospitality, and we thought it was the perfect fit for our town,” he said. “Especially after seeing the revised town plan where Cambridge was attempting to be a recreation hub.”
The research phase
Before making the move east, Will reached out to VtSBDC business advisor, Charley Ininger, for business visioning support while he and Erica did their own scouting. “In Colorado, we lived very close to Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, so we checked out a bunch of campgrounds up there. I also watched a lot of YouTube videos.”
Their reconnaissance paid off, Ininger said. “They did the research necessary to build the business model that would give them the greatest chance of success.”
A learning curve
The Kuntzelmanns broke ground on their future campground in 2023. As opening day in May 2024 approached, Will, who has a marketing background, focused on building their digital presence. He created a website that would enable online reservations, while reaching out to SEO experts for additional support. “Prior to opening, I would have meetings with a couple members from VtSBDC every month,” Will said. “We often discussed marketing strategies and ideas for getting better exposure.”
As a first-time campground owner, Will leaned on people around him for help during his inaugural season. This included two family friends who served as campground hosts, living on-site in exchange for maintenance and customer service support. The arrangement worked out well, and Dick and Jim will be returning this year.
The season ahead
In preparation for the 2025 season, Will is expanding his self-guided tour offerings—from hiking and mountain biking treks to brewery tours, ensuring that guests can make the most of their time in the area.
“Through my work with VtSBDC, I’ve learned to approach my business with a clearer strategy and focus on long-term planning,” he said. “I’ve gained a better understanding of financial management, marketing opportunities, and how to prioritize projects that will drive growth. Their support has helped me make more confident and informed decisions for my business.”
Smuggler’s Notch RV Village, located on Route 108 between Jeffersonville and Smuggler’s Notch Resort, features 60 full hook-up sites, a bathhouse, and WiFi. For more info: smugglersnotchrvvillage.com.
Recommended Next Read
- Know Your Social
< 1 minute readIf you are promoting your small business on social media, these resources are for you. As a small business owner, you have most likely incorporated social media into your marketing plans on one or more platforms. And just when we think we have learned how to use these tools, something new comes along. We have… Read more: Know Your Social
Home | Client Features | Tips & Tools | Announcements | Timely Topics
