Adventure Is Calling, and Lisa O’Dowd Picks Up Every Time

This family-run RV rental business in Las Vegas delivers comfort, care, and unforgettable experiences on wheels.

The desert sun was barely peeking over the Las Vegas skyline when Lisa O’Dowd leaned into her usual morning hustle. She was balancing breakfast for her twin seven-year-olds with final checklists for a departing RV guest. “These are all the quick locations here for groceries, where to get propane, where you could dump if you need to,” she explained warmly, handing over a carefully crafted welcome packet complete with s’mores supplies and local insider tips. A few minutes later, with a cheerful wave, her renters were off, and Lisa returned to her next job: being a mom, wife, mechanic wrangler, and CEO.

For Lisa and her husband Michael, this is not just an RV rental company. It is a way to connect people with nature, each other, and the kind of memories that only come from campfires, long drives, and stars you can actually see. Adventure is Calling RV Rentals is built not on mass-market polish but on a deeply personal commitment to hospitality, joy, and family.

How a Pandemic Sparked a New Path

In the aftermath of COVID, the O’Dowds found themselves staring down a daunting reality: four kids preparing to enter college all at once. The financial pressure was real, and Lisa and Michael needed a solution. “My husband said, ‘Why don’t we try renting out our personal RV?’” Lisa recalled. “We did a little bit of research and found that you just post your RV, kind of like an Airbnb on wheels.”

It sounded simple. And in many ways, it was. Their first listing sparked interest, then bookings, then more demand than they could handle with one vehicle. By the end of the first year, they had invested in three additional RVs, creating a fleet designed to meet the growing appetite for accessible, cozy, and family-friendly camping experiences.

But it was never just about the income. “Honestly, it is my passion and my love for people and vacationing with family,” Lisa said. “Camping lets you get to know people in a whole different way. You explore new places and try things you normally wouldn’t do in your everyday life.”

Doing It All, and Then Some

Lisa runs the business largely on her own. With eight RVs in the rotation, the logistics are complex. She handles cleaning, maintenance coordination, guest communication, deliveries, and pickups, often with her kids in tow. “My husband has a full-time job, and I do not,” she shared. “I run back and forth with these eight RVs, trying to get them to and from maintenance.”

She is honest about the grind. “It gets a little hectic and crazy. I still have seven-year-old twins. And when your business is booming in the summer and you have to be a mom and help your kids at home, as well as get your renters out on a happy note, it’s a lot.”

And then there is the heartbreak that comes with wear and tear. “I don’t want to nickel and dime families to death,” she said. “But if I lend them a toaster and they break my toaster, I have to replace the toaster.” Lisa laughed gently but honestly. “I want to give everything away for free because that’s just my love language. That’s my personality.”

Thoughtfulness That Travels

What sets Adventure is Calling apart is not just what they provide; it is how they provide it. Every rental includes linens, cookware, pillows, towels, and those extras that make the difference between surviving a trip and savoring it. Guests receive curated gift baskets with Girl Scout cookies named “Adventurefuls,” s’mores kits, toothbrushes just in case, and travel-sized toiletries.

Lisa has thought of everything because she’s been there. “I’m a mom of six kids. I’m usually the one that forgets the toothbrush,” she said with a chuckle. “So just to have that extra spare, it’s kind of a lifesaver.”

There is also a kitchen cleaning basket in every RV, packed with a sponge, hand soap, salt and pepper, olive oil, and a few key spices. “Most people don’t even think about those things,” she said. “They’re just grateful they didn’t have to buy them last minute.”

We Still Have Heart

Lisa doesn’t just drop off the RV and disappear. “If something happens and they can’t figure out why their AC isn’t working, we say, give us a call,” she said. “We still have that personal connection with our renters.” That kind of care isn’t common with the bigger, faceless rental companies where questions are routed through toll-free numbers and staff who may have never even stepped inside the RV.

“I think because we are still small, we still have the heart for the people renting. We’re not in the business just for the money. We want them to have a great experience. We want their families to enjoy the trip.”

Even in the digital age, it is the human moments that matter. “Word of mouth is still huge for us. We carry business cards in our wallets and talk to people at the grocery store. We have a lot of repeat renters — families, festival-goers, and folks who just want that easy, thoughtful camping experience.”

Too Big for Home, Too Small for a Lot

Now two years in, the O’Dowds are facing growing pains. “We’re too big to run a mom and pop shop at home anymore,” Lisa said. “I can still have my office in my house, which is great. But finding a location that can house my RVs and have the correct zoning is impossible.”

Rental zoning and storage zoning rarely overlap. Properties with the right setup are either unavailable or priced beyond reach. “Every time we think we find a spot, it’s sold before we can even think about putting a bid in,” she said. “We want to separate our home life from our business. We want set office hours. We want some boundaries.”

Their long-term dream is owning a property and creating a fully self-sufficient rental business, one that does not rely on third-party platforms for bookings or insurance. “Outdoorsy and RV Share do it. So why can’t we?” she asked. “We’re trying to figure that one out too.”

More Than Just a Rental

Lisa’s warmth isn’t a gimmick. It is woven into every aspect of the business — the welcome baskets, the follow-up calls, the commitment to quality. “Kindness like that goes such a long way in our rentals,” she said. “And our reviews show that.”

Adventure is Calling may be small in structure, but its reputation is big. The business runs on integrity, attention to detail, and a clear love for making people’s trips smoother and more joyful.

“I would just tell people, don’t be afraid to rent from an owner versus a big company. The owners care more,” she said. “We really do.”

Answering the Call of the Open Road

With a fleet of carefully maintained RVs and a heart for hospitality, Lisa and Michael O’Dowd have created more than a rental business. They have built a bridge between comfort and adventure, between families and the freedom of the road.

They continue to dream forward, one trip at a time, with hopes for a permanent location, an in-house insurance system, and a business that grows without losing the soul that started it all.

For those ready to hit the road without sacrificing warmth, care, and convenience, the answer is simple.

Adventure is calling.

You can follow the journey or book your own RV experience at www.adventureiscalling.us. Connect with them on Facebook at Adventure is Calling RV Rental and on Instagram at @adventureiscallingrvrental.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.