Carrying on a Legacy: One Family’s Story of Grief, Growth, and a Global Pandemic

Angie and Dusty Koll never expected to run a trailer dealership. In fact, for a decade they resisted the efforts of Richard Lowry, Angie’s brother, to bring them into the dealership he founded in Columbia, Missouri.

“We were nervous to mix business with family,” admits Angie.

But when tragedy struck in 2018 and Richard passed away unexpectedly, his family found themselves facing a life-changing decision: let go of the business he had worked so hard to build, or step into unfamiliar territory and continue his legacy. Although Angie had previously owned a business, neither she nor Dusty had experience in the trailer industry. Despite this, in the end, the choice was clear. The couple made the decision to dive in and pick up where Richard left off. As Angie will tell you, “Trailer Trendz was his pride and joy, and his employees were like our family, and we couldn’t imagine just closing up shop.”

What followed was a crash course in running a dealership, made easier by the strong, knowledgeable team already in place. This close-knit group was crucial in keeping things afloat as the couple navigated these new waters. This confirmed for Richard’s family that they were making the right choice: “Rich was loved by so many and we had so much help and support after his passing it was confirmation that we had done the right thing,” says Angie.

Richard had always prioritized customer satisfaction as the guiding principle of his small business. The family’s commitment to maintaining this philosophy meant that Trailer Trendz continued to be a place where people felt valued—not just as customers, but as part of the extended family. Angie notes that, “in a small dealership, communication is direct and personal,” which is why they “offer ongoing support, including maintenance services and troubleshooting, to ensure [customer] satisfaction long after their purchase.”

For the first two years, Dusty helped his wife on evenings and weekends while working a full-time job. He finally made the leap and joined the business full time in February 2020…a month before the world would turn on its head, and the trailer industry with it. In March 2020, COVID-19 was sweeping the United States and upending small businesses everywhere. Although the Trailer Trendz crew, along with many other business owners during that time, was worried about a surplus of inventory, there was no need for concern. Shortly after the pandemic began, trailer demand surged.

“In what felt like the blink of an eye, our stock was depleted, and we had a hard time obtaining more…. We had to adapt quickly and take whatever inventory we could get just to ensure we had something available for our customers,” says Angie.

Thankfully, the close-knit nature of their family-owned business was exactly what they needed to weather the uncertainty of the pandemic. “We all learned to stick together,” Angie notes. Part of this was becoming an advocate for customers in the face of declining manufacturer standards during this time. The crew learned to become more selective about the manufacturers they worked with and fight for the customer when builders dropped the ball.

While the trailer market has since stabilized, Trailer Trendz’s business remains strong. Through it all, the team has upheld its personal touch and commitment to service. When asked what sets Trailer Trendz apart from other dealerships, Angie is quick to credit the shop’s employees: “It’s a good small-town vibe. The employees are just good people. Everybody asks for their favorite person by name.”

What’s next? Trailer Trendz is at heart a small-town, Missouri-based shop and has no plans to change that. They now have over 300 trailers in stock at all times between their Columbia base and their second location in Eugene, Missouri. “We want to grow where we are,” says Angie. Their roots are in these Midwestern towns, and they plan on building connections with more businesses in their local community. With many of their customers purchasing dump trailers, Trailer Trendz plays a crucial role in helping other people’s businesses thrive. Many come back again and again. Angie adds: “The most fulfilling aspect of running our business is seeing so many repeat customers and knowing that we’ve earned their trust and loyalty once again.”

Today, Trailer Trendz stands as a testament to the power of resilience and community. What started as one man's passion has transformed into a family-run business that thrives on building relationships and helping customers find the perfect trailer for their needs. Whether the challenge is global or personal, Trailer Trendz is here to ensure that every customer’s journey—on the road and beyond—is a smooth one.

TRAILER TRENDZ, LLC
(573) 498-0121
12844 Penny Hollow Road
Eugene, MO 65032
[email protected]
http://www.trailertrendzllc.com

TRAILER TRENDZ UTILITY TRAILERS
(573) 445-3990
6401 W Hwy 40
Columbia, MO 65202
http://www.trailertrendzllc.com

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John M.

10/21/2024

Wow, what a great story of a business that works hard and gets the attention it deserves. It's great that Etrailer would be so kind to do this. Even at times they maybe a competitor of theirs. This shows what a class act Etrailer is as well. I love dealing with great businesses that respect each other. Blessings, Mack

"rc" E.

10/8/2024

Great company, great people, great Dealer, great story, great write up, and great thanks to all involved in making this happen! I had the privilege of knowing Angie's brother Richard before he passed. Super nice guy and sad to see a guy who was so driven and only in his 30's, pass away so soon. Owners Angie and Dusty have certainly carried on the practice of "family business" and "customer service" principles extremely well.

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