Meet Matt Felser | Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Dave & Matt Vans

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt Felser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

The first camper van I built was intended for myself and my lifestyle. I was a teacher living in Vail, CO who loved the outdoors and had summers off to travel. This needed to be the primary vehicle that would allow me to commute to work and run errands while also traveling safely and comfortably with my mountain bike and skis for weekend adventures or month-long excursions. In 2017 when I first started this process, the only options were either too expensive (custom builders, RVs) or didn’t have what I wanted in the vehicle (hard to drive, didn’t fit comfortably in a parking spot, poor gas mileage).

The business came about when Dave and I connected over the lack of options for vehicles like this at a price point more people could afford. After spending seven years in New York City working for a hedge fund, Dave decided to pursue some other business opportunities and no longer wanted to pay New York City rent and cost of living. He decided to move full-time into a Class B RV as a means to reduce overhead and pursue his new venture working for a small investment fund. Along with reducing overhead, the van allowed him to travel around the country to meet prospective clients while enjoying the comforts and freedom of van life.

We built the Dave & Matt Vans brand around our two unique stories: college friends with very different backgrounds and approaches but a shared level of drive, passion, and creativity; rooted in and inspired by our experiences with van life. Our mission developed from there: to make van life accessible for everyone.

Once we had a reason and a mission, the business flowed naturally. We sold my first van and built two. We sold those two and built four. We have spent the last four years continuing to solve problems around our mission in terms of production, sales, rentals, and service. As a result, we’ve grown Dave & Matt Vans into what it is today: on a path to becoming the leading independently-owned van builder in the country.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

For those who crave freedom and work-life balance, Dave & Matt Vans offers camper vans built for you, at prices unmatched by competitors. Our team of experienced van lifers works collaboratively with clients to help them pursue their passions without compromising the comfort and protection of home. The efficiency of our build times and attention to detail ensure that all new van owners have everything they need to live full-time or part-time out of their new van by the time they’re ready to hit the road.

At Dave & Matt Vans, we build Lifestyle Vehicles. Our focus is to make van life accessible to everyone through high-quality products at a lower cost than other manufacturers. We strive to break free of the things most often associated with RVs, motorhomes, and camper vans, while still maintaining compliance with the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. Those standards allow our vehicles to hold an official book value and be registered, insured, and financed as traditional recreational vehicles.

The difference is that our vans are built for you and your individual lifestyle. Whether you plan to live in it full time, take the road less traveled for adventures, or you’re looking for a relaxing getaway – the Lifestyle Vehicle is ultimately defined by you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

We are extremely fortunate to run a business on the Western Slope of Colorado. While it certainly presents its unique challenges geographically in terms of supply chain, employment, etc., it more than makes up for these things in terms of quality of life. We have everything from world-class skiing, mountain biking, and fly fishing to restaurants, music, and entertainment.

A great way to experience everything in our backyard is by renting one of our vans. We offer a rental program out of our Gypsum-based dealership, located right down the street from the Eagle/Vail Regional Airport. Trips can be booked for weekend adventures or extended vacations. Our team of experienced van lifers can help you plan a full itinerary based on season and interests that starts in the Vail Valley and extends out from there to places like Aspen, Steamboat, Fruita, or a few-hour drive to Moab and beyond.

I’d highly recommend starting this trip right in our backyard of Eagle, CO. There are boundless options for free, dispersed camping as close as 15 minutes from downtown with some great local restaurants to choose from. Color Coffee is one of my favorite local coffee shops in America, Red Canyon Cafe has incredible sandwiches and salads for lunch, and Boneyard is a great locally-owned bar and grill for dinner after a day spent out on the hiking or biking trails. If possible, plan your trip around Eagle Block Party, held annually at the start of June to celebrate the beginning of summer with an incredible line-up of music and festivity.

After a night or two in Eagle, a trip to the Vail Valley absolutely must include a stop at both Vail and Beaver Creek resorts. In the winter, the activity is easy: enjoy the best skiing in the country. As locals, we use the phrase, “Come for the winter, stay for the summer,” and while Vail made its name through skiing, the summer is arguably the better time to come visit. The Sunday farmer’s market is amazing. Hiking and biking trails are everywhere. And, the rivers are some of the best in the state for fly fishing, boating, and paddleboarding. One locals’ tip: plan a hike to the top of Vail Mountain where you will be rewarded with amazing views and a great restaurant for lunch and beverages with outside seating. You can then take the Gondola back down free of charge!

Some additional food recommendations would include The Craftsman in Edwards, Rocky Mountain Taco in Minturn, and for a splurge, Matsuhisa in Vail has some of the best sushi and Japanese cuisine on earth.

After exploring the Vail Valley, where you could easily spend a week and still feel like you’ve only just scratched the surface, I’d recommend a trip West through Palisade and Fruita. Palisade has an abundance of vineyards, in addition to being the home of the famous Palisade Peach. Fruita has some of the best mountain biking in the country and access for everyone from experts to first-timers. Camping at 18 Road in Fruita is one of my favorite spots, with easy access to trails just a short distance from town. Don’t forget a stop at Hot Tomato for a slice of pizza!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

My story is a direct result of the amazing guidance, support, love, and encouragement I have been fortunate to receive throughout my life. This all starts with my amazing parents; both lifelong educators who always put education first from a young age. All of my teachers and coaches at Nichols School, professors at Williams College, and colleagues at Vail Mountain School: thank you. The first Dave & Matt Van we built literally took a village. Thank you to all who jumped in to help as we built this wild dream in a school parking lot. Last but not least, I’d be remiss to not give a special shoutout to Dave. Thank you for sticking with this and with me, through thick and thin, over 15 years of friendship and now 4 years of business. I look forward to what’s next.

Website: www.dmvans.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daveandmattvans/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dave-and-matt-vans/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/daveandmattvan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmvans/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkK8IJ6ZBEDe777GTknb5Q

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daveandmattvans?lang=en

Image Credits
Scott Bellow Jesse Starr Rachael Galipo