Marcus Lemonis.

CEO of Good Sam

CEO. Visionary. Mentor.
Husband. Leader. Servant.

Marcus Lemonis is best known for his television personality on CNBC’s The Profit, where he brings struggling business back from the brink. He’s also known for HGTV’s The Renovator, where he helps homeowners fix and transform their homes. Millions have watched his business expertise in action on television. However, Marcus isn’t just a TV personality. He has earned his reputation by becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the nation. He’s also an avid advocate and philanthropist.

Compassion

While other CEOs come off as brash, boorish, and pushy, Marcus takes another approach. Rather than take to cutthroat tactics and ruthless behavior, he seeks to do business and create relationships from a place of compassion and positivity. Love is the heart of everything he does.

Marcus reshaped the outdoor and recreation industry by streamlining and modernizing the recreational vehicle and outdoor gear business Camping World. It’s his success with this company that skyrocketed him to the top. But his journey wasn’t an easy or common one. Marcus came to the top of the American business world by way of Lebanon. Over the course of his life, he has worked hard to arrive where he is today.

No Silver Spoons

Marcus’s birth mother left him on the steps of a Lebanese orphanage when he was just four days old. He lived there until he was nine months old. At that point, Sophia and Leo Lemonis adopted Marcus and took him to Miami, Florida. They raised him in a loving and encouraging household. Their influence had a major impact on how Marcus conducts himself in business and life in general.

At the early age of 12, he started a lawn service business. He then rolled that success into a candy-selling business. It was clear from an early age, that Marcus had a knack for business and entrepreneurial tendencies. He graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. After graduating he attended Marquette University in Wisconsin where he studied Political Science, Criminology, and Economics.

Visionary

After college, he worked at Anthony Abraham Chevrolet—a family-owned automotive dealership. He displayed a natural talent for deal-making and an entrepreneurial spirit while working there. A shift happened at the urging of former Chrysler CEO and family friend Lee Iacocca, who told Marcus he should focus his efforts on the recreational vehicle industry.

The shift allowed Marcus to focus on an industry that needed someone with his skills. He quickly rose to the top of Camping World and became the CEO. In 2010, Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises joined together, creating the largest force in the industry. In 2017, the company added the failing Gander Mountain to its portfolio, renaming the businesses Gander RV. Good Sam continues to be the lynchpin of the company with over 2 million members and a wide array of services it offers customers across the country.

Communities & People

Despite the success of the business, Marcus still focuses on what he believes are the most important aspects of any organization: the people. It doesn’t matter if it’s a high-level executive, a low-level associate, or a customer, Marcus treats each and every person with respect. His goal is to provide both employees and customers with unforgettable experiences and unlimited opportunities. Good Sam is here to help facilitate that mission.

American Dream

Marcus’s story is about as American as it gets—an immigrant orphan comes to America, works hard, and makes it to the top. Marcus has lived the American Dream, and his work doesn’t stop with his work with Good Sam. He donates millions of dollars annually to organizations and small businesses across the country and runs the Lemon-Aid Foundation. As an advocate for the underdog, he strives to be a good businessman and a mentor to all.