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. 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.

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.