Mark Woodard and Grant McCrabb, co-founders of GeoTrek Vans, share a passion for travel adventure and a drive to make it accessible. As cousins, their love for the outdoors originates from childhood days spent hiking and camping together with their dogs. Their pioneering spirit further spurred early entrepreneurial ventures -- mailbox makeovers, fish tank flipping and landscaping for Mark, while outdoor videography and landscaping for Grant.
Mark's inspiration for GeoTrek Vans sparked after his junior year of business school at the University of Colorado. He transformed a humble landscaping van into a campervan to road trip across the country. He fell in love with both the building process and the joys of vanlife. When he sold the van, he discovered a gap in the market – a lack of affordable, quality campervan options. This inspired him to seize the opportunity to reshape the industry with a focus on functionality, value and minimalist design.
Meanwhile, Grant, a Baylor University graduate, partnered with Mark soon after taking a Denver job marketing outdoor brands. His background in business analytics, social media and finance perfectly complemented Mark's vision.
Together, their partnership is disrupting the campervan marketplace. In just two years, GeoTrek Vans has grown to a thriving team of 17 and delivered over 150 vans.
How did you come up with your company name?
During my college years at CU, I went on a hiking club trip with some friends. On the 9-hour drive back, we started brainstorming potential names for my new company. I knew I wanted a name that wouldn't pigeonhole us into just vans since I envisioned evolving within the travel and outdoor industries. I wanted it to embody the essence of earth and travel while also sounding cool. After much thought, I landed on "GeoTrek," and it just kind of stuck. Grant and I made a pact that once we secured the trademark, we’d get matching tattoos. Now, we proudly sport our GeoTrek ink.
What sets you apart from other Campervan Builders?
Specialization in Mercedes Sprinters: By focusing exclusively on Mercedes Sprinter vans, our build team becomes exceptionally familiar with each model. This specialization extends to our cabinet and CNC teams, who know the cabinetry and wall panels inside and out. This expertise allows us to complete builds much quicker than other van builders, significantly reducing labor time.
Efficiency and Bulk Ordering: Our streamlined build process enables us to produce more vans, which in turn allows us to order materials in bulk. I’m meticulous about pricing and strive to get the best value for our customers. Bulk ordering helps us secure excellent pricing on high-quality products.
Customization Options: We offer a range of upgrades and customizations that are designed not to disrupt our efficient build process. This ensures that each van can be tailored to our customers' needs without compromising on build time.
Continuous Improvement: Grant and I are dedicated to continuously analyzing and improving every aspect of our company. By identifying and addressing weak points, we can innovate and adapt quickly to provide the best possible product and service.
What Vanspeed products do you like best, and why?
We like the Capsules the best because of their look. We love the aggressive look.
What advice would you like to share with other builders and/or people embarking on a DIY project?
I would suggest watching TONS of YouTube from different sources and then going out on your own and creating what you envision to be the best and using your creativity along the way.
