Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Thomas Bender. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Thomas, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Does everyday count? Today, something like two hours ago, I was thinking about how nice it might be to have a “regular job” as I walked back and forth from our front lot to the rear lot, measuring and double-checking a simple widget. The widget is wonderful, by the way.

I say that tongue in cheek. I LOVE what I do. It’s unique, I meet interesting people, I have an incredible team — we build the most incredible vehicles. I’m lucky and absolutely love what I do.

I don’t have one specific story to share because the thought does come up often (in fact, two hours ago). However, whenever I do think about a “regular job,” it’s usually because I’m frustrated that a project is not moving fast enough, a client has changed their project one too many times, a delivery is late, etc. It’s frustration on my end that things are not moving perfectly smoothly — I do realize “perfectly smoothly” is impossible though.

When I think about a “regular job,” I always remind myself that this is what I — Tom Bender and Team — have created. This is what I want. If I wanted something different, I would revise accordingly and change it (of course, easier said than done…).

In short, I love what I do and I’m very lucky to create what we create. It has its “days,” but man, is it cool.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I own and operate ONNN Expedition & ACME Overland Limited Co. We build high-functioning, purpose-driven vehicles made for long-distance travel—capable of crossing continents.

ONNNxp & ACME Overland also focuses on the highest level of concierge service creating ‘experiences’ for our clients. This could be as simple as creating an itinerary and loading it on our our app – OR – creating an itinerary, planning each stop, stocking the fridge, and booking the chef to do the cooking, among many many more things. If you can dream it, we can create the experience using our fleet of vehicles.

ONNNxp & ACME Overland is a multifaceted entity with many moving parts – words don’t quite do them justice, but visuals help: www.onnnxp.com

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

On October 24, 2020, Jessica Bender — my wife, best friend, business partner, mother to our then-2-month-old boy, my better half, and so much more — died in a tragic accident.

This experience gutted me. It had me wanting to lock myself in a room and never come out. It’s a place I’d not wish on my worst enemy — but I would, because of the transformation and realizations that have come from it. In order to experience light, you must experience darkness. There is no way around it.

We’re five and a half years on from that day, and not a moment goes by that I don’t think of her.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I’d love to. My first conversation with my business partner was roughly seven years ago. He was on a road trip with his family of five in a minivan, traveling cross-country. He mentioned he was thinking about getting a Sprinter van for trips like the one he was on — and that was the start. My business partner began as a client.

As our conversations progressed, we became friends, and he became a business mentor. I’d run ideas by him and he’d kindly say “sounds cool” or “could use some work” — and so much more. I was always struck by how gracious he was with his time and his candor. Nothing seemed to faze him.

Last year, around this time, I presented what is now ONNNxp to him for his thoughts — and to my surprise, he wanted to hear more and more and more.

I don’t believe in coincidences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.onnnxp.com
• Instagram: @acme_overland
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acmeoverland
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasjeffreybender/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ACME_OVERLAND