Today we’d like to introduce you to Gillian Fournier, Eric Miles.
Gillian and Eric, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Offroad Elements started out when we purchased our first Jeep, a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4 Door in July 2011. We immediately started designing our own aftermarket products (grill inserts, headlamp bezels, limb risers) and sold them through eBay and Amazon. We decided that this was an opportunity to create an East Coast aftermarket Jeep parts business.
Using word of mouth, family and friends and a little guerilla marketing, we started to really get our name out there. Within that same year, we launched the website and by 2013, Eric left his full-time job to tackle Offroad Elements as his main career and in the fall of 2014, Gillian left her full-time job teaching to do the same. Since then, we have grown immensely every year, taking on new projects and builds, adding new manufacturers to our lists and growing not only as a couple and business owners, but as a brand. We don’t only sell the aftermarket Jeep parts, we TEST them too! Our Jeeps, 2008 Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited and a 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK Sport, have been torn down from top to bottom and front to back, several times, to add the industry’s newest products and test them out on all the different terrain and trails New England has to offer. On top of building our own Jeeps up, we do also offer installations and builds here, and customers are constantly dropping their Wranglers off to have us build them back up.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some of the struggles we’ve come across has been the fact that not only are we in a relationship with each other, but also with the company. We are the only 2 employees here during the day and it’s not always easy to keep our personal lives outside the shop doors. Being able to maintain a healthy relationship and run a worldwide business isn’t always rainbows and butterflies, but we make it work!
It’s also sometimes tough to be able to get away from the office. Vacations we take, are usually Jeep or off-road related and are usually short-lived. We go to the West Coast twice a year for the biggest off-road races and expos…leave on Friday, come back Monday and hit the ground running. Even getting out of the office for a dinner and a movie can be rare. We’re both workaholics and love what we do and it’s hard to pry us away from our hobbies!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Offroad Elements – what should we know?
We specialize in selling aftermarket Jeep parts, mostly the newer Wranglers, but have access to most other models as well. We offer installations here and customers can schedule a time and date, drop their Jeep off and pick it back up looking better than ever. We do anything from simple accessories (interior upgrades, grab handles, lighting, recovery gear) to bigger modifications such as lift kits, bumpers, wheels, tires, etc. We pride ourselves in our interactions within the community and on social media platforms, as well as being well-versed in the different products people are looking for. As far as being set apart from others, our personalities tend to shine through the most along with our knowledge of the sport, community and industry. We are extremely open to answering questions anyone has on what they need or should look into and we have fun doing it!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our family and friends play a HUGE role in our success! Scottie, Mike G and Mike R take time out of their personal lives to help us with the customer builds and at events. Our friends and family members are always interested in passing out our business cards or “spotted” cards (small cards left on Jeeps they spot when out running errands) wherever they go and aren’t afraid to tell people about us. Our 28 Brand Ambassadors also deserve a huge shout out as well. They attend their regions events, off-road parks, meet and greets, etc. (places we otherwise wouldn’t be able to make it to) and represent us and our brand name.
Pricing:
- We offer FREE shipping on all orders over $70 within the lower 48 states
Contact Info:
- Address: 1035 Bedford St. Suite 7 Rear Abington MA 02351
- Website: www.offroadelements.com
- Phone: 774-826-9948
- Email: sales@offroadelements.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/offroadelements (@offroadelements)
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/teamoffroadelements (@offroadelements)
- Twitter: twitter.com/offroadelements (@offroadelements)
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/offroad-elements-abington
Image Credit:
Offroad Elements
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