There is a program on TV called Shark Tank. Successful investors and entrepreneurs are pitched businesses to invest in by the inventor or small start up company. It is very interesting the reasons they give for deciding to invest or not invest.
Sometimes it is a great idea but not yet developed to the point of being an actual business. E.G your soap is wonderful but you are mixing it in your kitchen and delivering it with your car. What you have to invest in is a recipe not a business.
Or it could be amazing product, source of supply and patents in place but the cost to make and the market price is out of touch with the market. E.G the Christmas
lights are really cool but they are $125 to make and sell for $250 and there just isn't the market for $250 Christmas tree
lights.
Another problem can be there is nothing to keep a major player in that market from as one investor puts it "squash you like a cockroach" Having a new and clever idea is only a winning investment if you won't get creamed in the market place by someone that can do it better or cheaper.
Every so often the sharks will see the right attitude, drive, smart decisions being made, or the really popular reason to invest, sales are very good and going up rapidly for the last couple of years. In short they have real world proof that what they have is something that they can make profitable. Then more than one will compete for the chance to buy into that business. Citing contacts, outlets, experience in that market etc. In short a meeting of proven git-r-done accomplishments.
Take something as simple as investment capital, large company with established earnings and property can probably borrow at a better rate than a small start up. In a business such as FG molded products as large as a camper that should allow any established company an advantage over a start up.
Happier Camper seems to me is aimed at a different market than say
Escape 5.0 or
Bigfoot or even
Scamp. I don't see that model as appealing as much to the retirement crowd doing fulltime or boondock camping for 10 days in the National Forest. But for younger people or families with young kids that will use it for weekend trips, a place to stay when attending events, day trips or tailgating, cross country travel to visit family to avoid restaurant and motel cost. Or people that camp simply as a way to stay close to the activities they enjoy like biking or kayaking. I think
Happier Camper may find a ready market in some of those groups.
There is also a potential market for some very plain or do-it-yourself type campers. People on a tight budget willing to invest sweat equity. Or those that need a minimal equipment set to satisfy their needs and would find many amenities a waste of money and space. My school bus camper started out as a table to eat at and a place for all our gear. Ended up as a full fledged motor home.
Lot of us buy older campers, then fix them up a bit at a time. Others want it ready to go without any extra effort or "workarounds". Some want to be able to be able to travel for extended trips with all the comforts of home others are happy with much more basic amenities. They only sell TV antennas for campers because some people want to have a TV in the camper. My not wanting a TV is not the defining word on what camping really is. Heck even the kids are old enough to ignore me, the grandkids might get stuck doing it my way once in awhile.... maybe. My bow saw and axe you have to use it the way I show you.
I have had folks in $250k motorhomes come over to check out my little egg, or my $1000 school bus home built camper back when I used that. Nice folks to visit with, no better and no worse than the folks in the backpacking sized tent that come over for the same purpose. I do tend to make gentle fun of the folks that never come out of the home on wheels rigs but then for all I know they may be touring the country to visit all the great art and history museums and are tired from several days of walking. While I'm all fresh from sitting around the campfire for the last three days reading and drinking... coffee. With maybe a dash of Bailey's.