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Driving 3,000 Miles For A Better Type of Business: The Gratitude Economy with Corrin Thompson

This week we’re diving into a movement you might already be part of without even realizing it: the Gratitude Economy. Our guest, Corrin Thompson, co-owner of Thompson’s RV, shares how her family’s business is thriving by prioritizing trust, care, and connection over transactions.

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About Our Guest:

There is a fundamental shift taking place right now in how businesses thrive; where trust, care, and long-term relationships are taking center stage, leaving behind the era of loud, attention-grabbing tactics and shallow transactions. In this gratitude-based economy, businesses succeed by earning loyalty through integrity, and by making people feel seen and valued. It’s about connection over convenience; authenticity over gimmicks—and that’s the kind of business that our guest today, Corrin Thompson, has been learning all her life. 

Thompson’s family has been running an RV business since 1953, and the reason they’ve been able to stay afloat that long is simple: They’re supported by the Gratitude Economy. W hope that you can use her story to inform your decisions as a consumer—or even your own working life!  If you’ve seen It’s a Wonderful Life, think of it like trusting the Bailey Building and Loan over Mr. Potter; when we start supporting the businesses that feel like “trusted advisors” in our life, life gets better for everyone.


A Family Legacy Rooted in Respect

Thompson RV has been part of Corrin’s family since her grandfather started the business in 1953, as a Nash Rambler dealership. Over time, it grew into one of North America’s most respected RV dealerships, and what’s remarkable isn’t just their longevity; it’s the way they’ve held fast to their core values through decades of change.

“In a small town, you have to do good business, or you won’t survive.” 

That’s what Corrin told me during our conversation, and that principle—treating every customer like a neighbor—has guided their family for three generations. Because of that care and attention, their reputation now stretches far beyond their hometown of Pendleton, Oregon; people actually drive from as far as Alaska and Florida just to buy an RV from them.

Why? 

Because customers will go out of their way when they know they’ll be treated with respect and care. As Corrin put it:

“Being a good human is where it all starts. If you’re honest, authentic, and truly care about the people you serve, the rest will follow.”

One of my favorite moments in our conversation was when Corrin described business as an “energy exchange.” Think about that for a moment. Every time someone chooses to spend their money with you, they’re giving you their energy. It’s a gift, and how you honor that gift matters.

“At Thompson’s, we see every transaction as an opportunity to create value and connection,” Corrin shared with us. This philosophy drives everything they do—from offering personalized walkthroughs of every RV, to being available 24/7 for customer support. 

It’s not just about selling RVs; it’s about making sure every customer feels cared for and confident in their purchase.

People may say that “business isn’t personal,” but in truth, the best businesses are—because they acknowledge that everyone running it and patronizing it is, in fact, a person. Engaging with and caring about the people you interact with, no matter where the setting, will make them like you more, and that’s as true in business as it is anywhere else in life. That is the essence of the Gratitude Economy.


What is the Gratitude Economy?

For generations, we’ve been living in the attention economy—a noisy world where businesses fight for clicks, likes, and eyeballs. It’s an exhausting game of who can shout the loudest, and it’s been goin on for so long it’s hard to remember a time before. 

There’s good news, though: things are changing. The Gratitude Economy is rising, and it’s powered by something much more meaningful—our shared humanity.

In the Gratitude Economy, success comes from fostering trust and mutual respect. It’s about being the business that people go out of their way to support, not necessarily because they have the lowest prices, but because they feel connected to something real

Think of your favorite local coffee shop; the family-owned bookstore you drive an extra half hour out of your way for—or, in my case, the RV dealership my husband and I drove 3,000 miles to visit. 

In our journey from Vermont to Oregon, we probably passed hundreds of RV dealerships with better deals, but we didn’t care. After months of online research, their impeccable reputation made us uninterested in doing business anywhere else—and while we were there, we discovered we weren’t alone. Three other customers were also picking up their new RVs, having traveled even farther than we did! 

Why?

Because Thompson RV have built their company on the principles of trust, care, and honesty—and their success proves that these values are the ultimate competitive advantage. Corrin and her family are pioneers in the Gratitude Economy.

Why Corrin’s Story Matters

Unlike many businesses that rely on flashy ads and aggressive marketing, Thompson RV has thrived for over a decade without any traditional advertising. Instead, they rely on word-of-mouth referrals, glowing online reviews, and their reputation for going above and beyond to bring people to their lot.

“We attract the best customers because we treat people the way we’d want to be treated,” Corrin explained to us. It’s so simple, yet so powerful – and it’s the heart of the Gratitude Economy: focus on people, not just profits, and watch the ripple effects unfold.

“When you invest in relationships, you future-proof your business.”.

At its core, the Gratitude Economy is about hope—hope that businesses can succeed by doing the right thing, that customers will reward integrity, and that our world can be shaped by generosity instead of greed. Thompson’s RV proves that this isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a practical path to success.

Corrin’s family business reminds us that we have choices every day. We can choose to support companies that make the world better. And if you’re a business owner, you can choose to be the kind of company that people are proud to support.

So, whether you’re in the market for an RV, a financial planner, or a new dentist, look for someone who embodies the Gratitude Economy. Your choice can create a ripple effect of goodness—one that might just change the world.

And isn’t that the kind of economy we all want to be a part of?



What We Can Learn from Thompson RV

Corrin’s story is packed with lessons for anyone who wants to succeed in the Gratitude Economy. Here are a few takeaways:

  1. Play the Long Game: Building a reputation for integrity doesn’t happen overnight. But when you focus on relationships, the rewards are lasting.
  2. Invest in Your Community: Supporting others creates a cycle of goodwill that benefits everyone. Thompson’s RV has earned loyalty by showing up for their customers time and again.
  3. Be Generous: Whether it’s your time, expertise, or kindness, generosity builds trust. Thompson’s team even creates detailed YouTube videos to help RV buyers—even those who never buy from them.

Stay True to Your Values: Authenticity resonates. People can sense when you genuinely care, and that makes all the difference.

References Mentioned:

Chapters:

  • 00:00 – Intro & Welcome
  • 03:20 – The Gratitude Economy Overview
  • 06:24 – The Thompson Family Business Origin
  • 09:20 – Community Trust and Business Ethics
  • 13:27 – Energy Exchange and Being a Good Human
  • 27:33 – Break
  • 29:49 – Shifting from the Attention Economy to Trust
  • 38:22 – Building Long-Term Relationships
  • 41:12 – Honesty and Credibility in Sales
  • 47:45 – Future-Proofing with Authenticity
  • 55:45 – Authentic Business Practices
  • 1:17:00 – Closing

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