Building success on every terrain: How Pavel Bosovik, B.S.B.A. ’18, built a multi-million-dollar expedition vehicle empire

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of Trulaske Magazine. 

Pavel Bosovik, B.S.B.A. ’18, recognized early on that every unmet need is an opportunity waiting to be seized. 

In the fifth grade, Bosovik found himself wanting a fruit roll-up at lunch but couldn’t afford the 50 cents his school charged for the snack. Undeterred, the budding entrepreneur crafted a bookmark, sold it for 50 cents and bought the coveted treat.

A small but meaningful victory for a young immigrant from Ukraine, who arrived in the United States in 1999 with his parents and six siblings. 

Today, Bosovik is the founder and CEO of 27North, an expedition vehicle manufacturing company in Springfield, Missouri. 27North designs, engineers and builds recreational vehicles capable of conquering any terrain. Named after the latitude of Mount Everest, 27North has emerged as one of the world’s leading builders of expedition vehicles, offering three distinct models: Venture Van, Ascender and Rexrover. 

“We don’t follow roads, we pave them,” Bosovik said. “At 27North, we’re not just setting new standards in vehicle design – we’re redefining what adventure means. Every challenge is a call to grow, and we’re leading the way.”

In 2021, Bosovik expanded his entrepreneurial ventures by founding P.N. Bosovik Properties, a real estate business specializing in investment properties and commercial real estate in Springfield. He also hosts a podcast called Suits & Shoes and provides business coaching. 

His journey has been one of hard work, passion and vision. 

A passion for business

By middle school, Bosovik was pitching in to help his family, working alongside his mother cleaning residential property. In high school, he joined a construction crew, dedicating himself to mastering carpentry.  When it came time for college, Bosovik toured several universities, but none resonated with him like the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business at the University of Missouri.

“I developed a passion for business at a very young age,” he said. “Trulaske felt like the perfect fit, as if it was meant to be.”

The college’s emphasis on experience-centered learning profoundly influenced Bosovik, who concentrated his business studies in management. He valued his instructors not only for their academic knowledge but also for the practical business experience they brought to the classroom. 

“My education at Trulaske laid the foundation for me,” he said. “It almost felt more like an internship than regular school. None of it was just textbook theory. We learned by doing.”

Even now, Bosovik draws on the lessons he learned at Trulaske and occasionally consults with his former professors for guidance. While attending college fulltime, Bosovik balanced his studies with repairing and selling cars – a skill that would later prove invaluable at 27North. He also met his wife, Nina, a fellow Ukrainian immigrant who has become an essential part of the family business. 

Expanding horizons 

Straight out of college, Bosovik joined a startup construction company and played a key role in building 23 homes in the greater Springfield area. This experienced offered him a firsthand look at the challenges of launching a business – insights he would later use when founding 27North. 

During this period, Bosovik and his wife discovered they were unable to have children of their own. Undeterred and eager to become parents, the couple began fostering children. To date, they have fostered 11 children – an experience that has strengthened their bond as a family.

“We have learned that money can’t buy happiness or fill the void,” he said. “Fostering has been an extraordinary experience for our family.”

In 2020, Bosovik was ready to take the plunge and start his own venture, initially planning to refurbish RVs. With the support of his wife, a brother and his father-in-law, he set up shop in his mother’s garage. Within a week, the team secured a warehouse, and the business quickly gained momentum.  

However, it wasn’t long before Bosovik realized he could elevate the craftsmanship of RVs by designing his own custom-built, high-quality, adventure vans and expedition trucks. Using the chassis of reputable vans and truck, Bosovik created a fleet of three all-terrain vehicles that combine rugged durability with luxurious interiors. The vehicles range in price from $313,000 to $1.5 million. Bosovik has also developed a boat line and is always looking for new ways to push the limits of technology and self-sustainability of his vehicles.  

So far, business is booming. In May, Bosovik expanded his operations to a new 50,000-square-foot facility on the outskirts of Springfield. The state-of-the-art facility also includes an off-road course where customers can test their new vehicles’ capabilities, as well as 25 campsites.

To date, Bosovik has sold 130 of his expedition vehicles and employs about 60 people. He also prioritizes 24/7 customer service. 

“I love my team and job because we don’t settle for less than the best,” he said. 

Just do it

While he designs and sells custom-built expedition vehicles, Bosovik sees his work as more than just building vans and trucks – he sees it as a people-driven business. 

"Success hinges on your ability to connect and communicate with others," Bosovik said. "The people you surround yourself with, both in business and in life, are crucial to your achievements."

Bosovik also draws inspiration from trailblazing entrepreneurs, particularly Elon Musk.

“He has a way of trusting himself and his ideas even when the rest of the world doesn’t,” he said. “I’ve had that feeling when no one believes in you and the idea you have, but you push through anyway and then, everyone thinks you’re great.”

The best business advice Bosovik ever received is simple: Just do it. 

“I have met so many successful people, and I’ve asked them all the same question: ‘How did you do it?’” he recalled. “They all told me the same thing – just get started. You don’t have to have it all figured out.”

Whenever possible, Bosovik suggests gaining experience at a startup before venturing out to launch your own business. 

In addition, Pavel has learned the importance of setting goals and pacing himself. Now in the fourth year of a 10-year plan to earn $1 billion, he’s on track to achieve his goal.

"So often, people try to accomplish everything in one year," he said. "Pace yourself. Give yourself time and grace."

Trusting his instincts

Growing up, Bosovik grappled with feelings of inadequacy, often facing bullying for his accent and the way he dressed.

"I always felt different and spent years believing I wasn’t good enough," he said. "But now, I meet with executives of major companies and realize they’re no different from me."

As a result, Bosovik is learning to trust his instincts—and to enjoy the rewards of his hard work. Recently, he gifted his parents their first brand-new vehicles: a Jeep for his mom and a truck for his dad. It was one of the most fulfilling moments of his life.

“It felt like a full-circle moment — being able to give back to the people who sacrificed so much for me,” he said. “It wasn't just about the cars themselves; it was about what they represented. They symbolized the gratitude I have for my parents and the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ in a way that really impacted their lives. Knowing that I could provide them with something they would never have bought for themselves filled me with a deep sense of pride and happiness.”

The gifts were also a powerful reminder of why Bosovik does what he does. 

“In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment — not just in my career, but in being able to honor the people who made everything possible for me,” he said.