Brookelyn Avila is the Owner of Van Sharks, a family-owned business that designs, builds, and services custom conversion vans for businesses, travelers, and fleet operators. As an entrepreneur with a background in communications, she has launched several ventures. Brookelyn is known for her visionary leadership and commitment to excellence.
Starting a business in an unfamiliar industry demands adaptability, discipline, and a willingness to learn quickly. Entrepreneurs often face uncertainty when stepping into new markets, yet many find ways to build momentum and grow. What does it take to navigate risk, scale a young business, and stay focused through the challenges?
According to entrepreneur and business owner Brookelyn Avila, growth in a new industry begins with mastering the fundamentals of business rather than the technical details of the field. She emphasizes the importance of generating consistent demand, building strong partnerships, and understanding every aspect of your operation — especially in the early stages. Brookelyn also advises entrepreneurs to keep fixed expenses low and preserve cash whenever possible, giving the business room to learn and adapt without excessive financial pressure. Growth becomes manageable when founders remain hands-on and continuously refine their processes.
In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett chats with Brookelyn Avila, Owner of Van Sharks, about building and scaling a company in a new industry. Brookelyn shares how she entered the van conversion market, the impact of becoming a certified Mercedes-Benz Expert Upfitter, and why standardizing products can help growing businesses scale more efficiently.
