When you meet Garr Russell today—successful entrepreneur, author, family man, and founder of Fireside RV Rental—it’s hard to imagine his troubled beginnings. Yet his story of transformation is what makes his journey so compelling and his message of redemption so powerful.
Growing up in Michigan after his parents divorced when he was in fifth grade, Garr’s life took a troubling turn. By his own admission, he became the class clown, seeking attention and eventually finding himself in serious trouble. The first time he sat in a jail cell was in fifth grade after pulling a knife on someone who tried to take his bike. This early incident marked the beginning of a downward spiral that would include smoking, drinking, and eventually selling drugs. Expelled from high school in ninth grade and dropping out in tenth, Garr fully embraced a life of crime and substance abuse.
The transformation began in 2003 when a coworker named Skip asked Garr to read the Bible to him while they worked together. This simple act planted seeds that would grow into a profound spiritual awakening. Garr describes his conversion moment as feeling “the grace of God so heavy” that he was reduced to tears, experiencing what he calls a “total 180 transformation.” This radical change in direction gave him a new perspective on life, particularly regarding forgiveness—both receiving it and extending it to others. 
Years later, Garr’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to purchase an RV for his wife as an anniversary gift. When she didn’t take to camping immediately, he had the idea to rent out the camper when they weren’t using it. This spark of inspiration grew into Fireside RV Rental, a business that now has about 70 locations around the country. Rather than purchasing a fleet of RVs, Garr built the business by managing other people’s assets—a model similar to Airbnb but for recreational vehicles.
The RV lifestyle eventually became more than just a business for Garr and his family. Following a challenging situation with one of their children, they decided to hit the road full-time. What started as a brief escape turned into five years of living and traveling in their RV, homeschooling their four children along the way. This unconventional lifestyle allowed them to disconnect from everyday stresses and reconnect as a family, creating memories at campgrounds across the country.
One of Garr’s most cherished memories isn’t from a famous national park or tourist destination, but from sitting beside a small river with his children, making little boats out of sticks and watching them float downstream. It’s these simple moments of connection, free from the distractions of modern life, that epitomize what the RV lifestyle gave to his family. 
Beyond his business success, Garr has written two books: “My Wheel Estate Story” and “My His Story.” The first chronicles his entrepreneurial journey “from lawnmowers to RVs,” while the second shares his spiritual journey and the framework he developed for turning painful life experiences into purpose. He describes how God showed him moments in his life where lies about his identity had taken root, then revealed the truth about who he really is.
Today, Garr’s mission is twofold: serving Christian entrepreneurs and supporting his wife and children in fulfilling their own callings. The family recently purchased the oldest diner in their town, which has become another avenue for preparing their children for their futures while teaching them the values of service and community engagement.
Garr’s story reminds us that our pasts don’t define our futures, and that profound transformation is possible. His journey from troubled youth to purpose-driven entrepreneur and family man offers hope that, as he puts it, “life happens for you, not to you.” The painful experiences that could have destroyed him instead became the foundation for a life dedicated to serving others and sharing the grace he himself received.
