Shawn Gardner

Website: Fun2Rent.com
http://about.me/ShawnGardner
Silicon Valley, California, United States
Member since January 08, 2011

Founder & CEO of Fun2Rent, enabling individual owners of powersport vehicles & vessels to earn money on their equipment by renting it out to qualified members in a safe & insured environment. Providing affordable rentals to recreational enthusiast. Quote_down

About

I am a(n):

First-time entrepreneur

If you're an entrepreneur or corporate innovator, why?

I was a renter and saw the pain in the old fashioned and over priced rental market. The outcome of developing Fun2Rent is that I am also helping owners in a tough economy.

My favorite startups:

Rentalic.com, Getaround.com, Prezi.com, Growvc.com, Everloop.com, Thredup.com and Neighboorgoods.net

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

The long hours can be a drain at times however the rewards come each time an owner or renter says: Wow, this is awesome and it will help many owners in this economy while providing low priced rentals.

I am a powersport enthusiast and the rental market needs change.
Discovering solutions to real world problems is what I love.

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs/innovators make?

Giving up too early; if it was easy everyone would start a company.

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

Three lessons I have learned are:
1. Listen to your customers / clients needs and wants.
2. Never be afraid to reach out to other founders.
3. Not to make assumptions with out researching first.

What makes you think your start up will not fail.

I have listened to the needs of a niche market place with many pains. Fun2Rent is answering these pains with lower prices, more selection, and insurance. While providing the source (individual owners) of our inventory a way to earn money on their equipment. Fun2rent helps renters save money and owners earn money with insurance to both parties.

Full bio

I founded Fun2rent.com out of my passion for powersport vehicles, and I also saw a need in the market for owners to profit on their vehicles or vessels. In California homeowners were getting foreclosed and losing their houses. Many of these people owned powersports that they could potentially make money on while providing a market of affordable rentals.

Fun2Rent is my passion. I’m also employed with a local government where I work in Parks and Recreation and manage several sustainability and construction projects, including solar power for the city and grant writing.

In the past, I have had my own landscaping business. I have also worked for Kegwins.com, a racing school and motorcycle track day provider, where I assisted with motorcycle inspections and instructed riders on the race track. Thanks Lance - This was the best no-pay job ever!

My hobbies include hiking, camping, snowboarding, ATV & dirt bike riding, and motorcycle racing at various race tracks in California.