The RV Entrepreneur

Jim welcomes Kim Ryals from Caravan to Alaska to share her journey from nonprofit executive to full-time digital nomad, and running a boutique RV caravan service to Alaska. Kim discusses the logistics of planning small-group trips, and the benefits over travleing solo or in larger more structured caravans. She shares the challenges and rewards of leading caravans, and offers insider tips on exploring the Last Frontier. She shares tips from her extensive experience traveling to Alaska, while balancing work with adventure, and the importance of planning for both enjoyment and connectivity. Discover must-see highlights, the value of guided travel experiences, and how to prepare for unexpected challenges on the road. As entrepreneurs running multiple endeavors, Jim and Kim also discuss logistics and business formation – identifying when one might consider forming an LLC versus operating as a sole proprietor. The discussion also touches on marketing strategies, and the dynamics of group travel, while providing valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and RV enthusiasts alike. Kim is a a full-time digital nomad who emphasizes the significance of diversifying both travel experiences and revenue streams, while achieving a healthy work-life balance. No discussion about the Last Frontier is complete without some memorable experiences from Alaska, including close encounters with wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty.Whether you're considering a solo trek or joining a guided group, Kim's expertise will help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!Key Takeaways: 1Preparation is Key for an Alaska Road Trip.Alaska is Bigger Than You Think!Community and Local Knowledge Enhance the Travel ExperienceExpect Limited Connectivity on the Drive North & South Plan for Extended Travel TimeConnect & Learn Morehttps://caravantoalaska.comRESOURCES MENTIONEDThe Milepost: https://amzn.to/432OlaLSeacor Tours:https://seacortours.com/Trusted Housesitters:https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/Caretaker Gazette:https://www.caretaker.org/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE RV ENTREPRENEURhttps://therventrepreneur.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Join the RVE community on Facebook!⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠(NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.)Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form:https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

What does success really look like? For Karla Parra, it wasn’t the corporate career, the degrees, or the external achievements—it was the freedom to live life on her own terms. In this episode, Karla shares her journey from growing up on the beaches of Mexico to pursuing the "American dream" in the U.S., only to walk away from it all in 2019 to travel full-time in an 84-square-foot camper with her husband and two dogs.Over five years on the road, Karla rediscovered her Mexican heritage, built a coaching business helping women in corporate find more joy, and ultimately embraced a “slowmad” lifestyle in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she’s now writing her first book, her memoir.Discover:The mindset shifts that helped Karla leave corporate life for full-time travelHow RV life led her to reconnect with her roots in MexicoHer transition from coaching to becoming a full-time writerThe importance of building a life from the inside out instead of chasing external successConnect & Learn More:Coloring Across The Lines: https://karlaparra.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlaexploradora/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE RV ENTREPRENEURhttps://therventrepreneur.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Join the RVE community on Facebook!⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠(NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.)Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form:https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

In this episode of the RVE Podcast, Jim sits down with Joel Holland to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the explosive growth of Harvest Hosts, and the challenges and rewards of scaling a business while maintaining a life of adventure. From Burnout to RV Life – Joel shares how a spontaneous RV purchase led him and his wife to embrace full-time travel, ultimately inspiring his next business venture. Discover the power of smart growth. Learn how Joel took Harvest Hosts from 6,000 members to more than 250,000 in just a couple years by refining the host network, implementing new technology, and strategic marketing. Joel shares isights on acquisitions & scaling challenges based on the merger with Boondockers Welcome and recent acquisition of Escapees RV Club. Purpose Over Profit – Jim and Joel discuss how success isn’t just about money but about building something meaningful that benefits partners, members, and the RVing community. Learn how balancing work, adventure, and purpose leads to fulfillment. Finally, hear how Joel breaks down his happiness formula with the simple equation: Happiness = Freedom + Meaningfulness.Connect & Learn MoreHarvest Hosts: harvesthosts.comBoondockers Welcome: boondockerswelcome.comBrit Stops: britstops.comEscapees: escapees.comXscapers: xscapers.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE RV ENTREPRENEURhttps://therventrepreneur.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Join the RVE community on Facebook!⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠(NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.)Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form:https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

Jenn & TJ Ammond of Campsite360 join Glynn to discuss their lifestyle of traveling full-time with kids while scaling their successful business, Campsite360. They share their experience with marketing, scaling the systems, and what the future holds for Campsite360. These two really are building the future of campground immersion. Discover the technology and equipment they use for filming virtual tours, the systems they've developed for indexing and organizing data, and their plans for scaling the business in the future.Jenn and TJ also discuss the evolution of their marketing strategies, focusing on the integration of social media and trade shows to drive traffic to campgrounds.Key Takeaways:Outsourcing work to local photographers has allowed for more flexibility.Continuous learning is essential in entrepreneurship.Balancing family and business requires effective logistics and planning.Indexing campground data is crucial for maintaining accurate information.Scaling the business is a gradual process that requires careful planning.Maintaining a focus on helping RVers is key to their success.Connect & Learn Morehttps://campsite360.com/https://www.instagram.com/campsite_360/https://www.facebook.com/campsite360/RESOURCESInsta360 Cameras & Accessories~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE RV ENTREPRENEURhttps://therventrepreneur.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Join the RVE community on Facebook!⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠(NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.)Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form:https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

Jim welcomes back mobile internet experts Chris and Cherie from the Mobile Internet Resource Center to provide an update on the best mobile internet solutions for RV Entrepreneurs. Key topics include the evolution of campground Wi-Fi, the importance of redundancy for reliably accessing internet on the road, and the pros and cons of satellite internet options like Starlink and Amazon's upcoming Project Kuiper alternative. Hear the facts from Cherie and Chris about the various solutions for mobile internet, emphasizing the importance of integrating multiple solutions for redundancy. Discover how to assess individual internet needs, the significance of investing in future-proof technology, and the value of community support when navigating mobile internet challenges. You'll also hear about common mistakes when setting up your internet arsenal, along with advice on how to avoid them. Key Takeaways: Redundancy in internet solutions is crucial for staying connected. Alternatives to Starlink are emerging, but cellular remains a strong option. 5G technology has improved significantly, often outperforming satellite options. Assess your unique internet needs before investing. Invest in technology that supports multiple carriers. Understand your data usage requirements before purchasing. Connect & Learn More Personal blog: https://technomadia.com MIRC: https://RVMobileInternet.com YouTube /@technomadia /@mobileinternetresourcecenter RESOURCES MENTIONED Mobile Internet Resource Center https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/ Working Remotely https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/working-remotely/ PREVIOUS EPISODES RVE #9: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/rve/episodes/RVE-009-Technomadia-on-Mobile-Internet--Self-Driving-RVs--and-the-Nomadic-Career-ea375r/a-a19o21j RVE #104: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/rve/episodes/RVE-104-Technomadia-on-Boat-Life--Mobile-Internet--and-Escaping-Hurricanes-ea374u/a-a19o20r RVE #213: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/rve/episodes/RVE-213-How-to-Get-Internet-for-RVers-2021-Guide-ep806f/a-a4dcmjg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE RV ENTREPRENEUR https://therventrepreneur.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join the RVE community on Facebook! ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠ Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials ⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠ Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠ (NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.) Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form: https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

Rose and Glynn sit down with Brenda Puckett, a registered RV technician and certified RV inspector, and Dana Hext, a certified RV technician and inspector. Together, they teach women how to confidently operate and maintain their RVs through approachable, hands-on education. In this episode, Brenda and Dana share their inspiring journeys into the RV tech industry, how their personal experiences shaped their passion for empowering women, and the importance of education and training in RV maintenance and safety. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of working in a predominantly male field, the supportive community they’ve found at the National RV Training Academy, and how their hands-on workshops through 52U are helping women gain confidence in operating and maintaining their RVs. From entrepreneurial insights to practical tips on getting started in RV tech and inspections, this episode is packed with advice for nomadic entrepreneurs and aspiring RVers alike. Tune in to learn how you can turn your passion into a business, gain technical skills, and join a growing movement of empowered RV owners. Connect & Learn More Brenda: https://queenbeerv.com Dana: https://empowerrvservices.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@52WaysandCounting RV Rookie Course: https://queenbeerv.com/education-queen-bee-rv-rv-rookie-training-courses/ RESOURCES MENTIONED NRVTA: https://nrvta.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE RV ENTREPRENEUR https://therventrepreneur.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join the RVE community on Facebook! ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠ Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials ⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠ Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠ (NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.) Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form: https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

Happy 2025! The RV Entrepreneur Podcast crew discuss goal setting and intentions for business growth in the new year. Discover the significance of setting realistic goals, the importance of the journey over the destination, and how to redefine success in both personal and business contexts. Jim, Rose, and Glynn emphasize the value of making promises to customers and the role of genuine care in building lasting relationships. This discussion also touches on overcoming distractions, celebrating small wins, and maintaining a healthy balance between personal well-being and business success. Key Takeaways Setting small, attainable goals reduces stress and pressure. The journey is more important than the destination in business. Redefining success can lead to a more fulfilling experience. Promises establish trust and reliability. Building community fosters loyalty and support among customers. Genuine care for customers enhances relationships and business success. Prioritizing health is essential for sustaining business performance. MEET YOUR HOSTS Rose & Glynn: https://resetyourjourney.com/ Jim: https://liveworkdream.com RESOURCES MENTIONED: Circle.so: https://try.circle.so/forfree Google Notes: https://www.google.com/keep/ The One Thing: https://amzn.to/42hJvWN RELATED EPISODES: Fit Body Fit Business: https://therventrepreneur.com/rve369/ Relationship Marketing: https://therventrepreneur.com/rve337/ Building Genuine Partnerships: https://therventrepreneur.com/rve365/

Jim sits down with Jenell Jones from the Wandering Individuals Network to discuss the big Quartzsite RV Show. Learn all about the show and why it's on the must-do list for any full-time RVer. Hear who attends and who exhibits at the event. Beyond the big tent, discover the camping culture in and around Quartzsite, local attractions, and the unique experiences that come with attending the show. Jim and Jenell share tips for navigating the challenges of working remotely while at Quartzsite and highlight the importance of community among RVers. This episode provides with practical advice for making the most of any visit to Quartzsite, including boondocking etiquette, lesser known attractions, and local resources. GUEST BIO: At 60 years old, Jenell Jones sold everything she owned, bought a 36-foot RV and drove off by herself with no plan. Since then, she has traveled to Alaska, looped the US three times and visited 41 of the 62 national parks. At 63 she bought the Wandering Individuals Network, an RV Club dedicated to the solo RV traveler. She creates exclusive itineraries, lead trips and teach others practical tips and how to thrive in a life of RV travel. Learn more about Jenell and the WINs: https://therventrepreneur.com/rve302/ RESOURCES: Quartzsite RV Show https://www.quartzsitervshow.com/ The WINs https://wanderingindividualsnetwork.com Quartzsite Dump Sites: https://rvdumpsites.net The Desert Bar https://www.facebook.com/p/Desert-Bar-100064811283188/ Quartzsite RV Show History: https://riversandsrvresort.com/blog/the-history-behind-quartzsites-famous-rv-show/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE RV ENTREPRENEUR https://therventrepreneur.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join the RVE community on Facebook! ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠ Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials ⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠ Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠ (NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.) Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form: https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

Lucinda and Will Belden are living their dream by traveling full-time in an RV while running their publishing and event hosting businesses from their RV. They have learned to adapt to challenges, be more assertive and confident, and prioritize flexibility and transparency in their work arrangements. Lucinda and Will Belden own and operate Direction Wide Open. They join Glynn to discuss their lifestyle of traveling full-time in an RV while running their business remotely. They share their experiences of overcoming obstacles such as technical issues with their equipment, poor internet connectivity, and the challenges of balancing work and personal life on the road. They also discuss the importance of following one's passion and being willing to put oneself out there to receive feedback. They emphasize the need for assertiveness and confidence in demanding a fair rate for services provided. GUEST BIO: Lucinda is a travel writer (retired travel agency owner) and Will is a full-stack computer programmer (not retired). They have been full-time RVers since 2019 and together they keep busy hosting RV events and rallies around the country, publishing articles for RV & motorcycle blogs as well as several books on Amazon. Direction Wide Open: https://dwo.net Socials: https://facebook.com/directionwideopen https://youtube.com/@DirectionWideOpen RESOURCES: DWO Media Page: https://dwo.net/media DWO Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gGkOYE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE RV ENTREPRENEUR https://therventrepreneur.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join the RVE community on Facebook! ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠ Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials ⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠ Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠ (NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.) Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form: https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

Jim speaks with Mike and Susan from RV Blogger about transitioning from traditional jobs to becoming successful RV content creators. Blogging since 2018, they discuss he impact the COVID pandemic had on their business growth, and the importance of finding a niche in a crowded market. Tune in to discover strategies for standing out, the significance of branding, and adapting to constant changes in search engine algorithms. This conversation highlights the importance of email marketing and measuring success through creating consistent quality content. Mike and Susan share their insights on building a successful online presence through email marketing, and multiple monetization strategies. Hear how they focus on quality content more than metrics. If you want to transition from traditional jobs to a fulfilling RV lifestyle, or are on the road and want to achieve long-term success, this episode is for you. GUEST BIO: Susan and Mike are 3/4 Time RVers. They have four daughters and three grandkids so they travel and go home every couple months to visit everyone. They run three successful RVing websites RVBlogger.com, TravelTrailerPro.com, and MotorhomeFAQs.com. They also produce the RVBlogger YouTube Channel and have a popular private Facebook Group. And they send out four weekly newsletters to an email list of more than 155,000 subscribers. Website/Socials: https://rvblogger.com/ https://traveltrailerpro.com/ https://motorhomefaqs.com/ https://www.youtube.com/RVBlogger https://www.facebook.com/groups/RVCampingforNewbies RESOURCES MENTIONED ProBlogger https://problogger.com/ Kit (Formerly ConvertKit) https://kit.com/ MailChimp https://mailchimp.com/ ActiveCampaign https://www.activecampaign.com/ RVE on Email Marketing: Email Marketing and Solopreneur Survivor Skills with Liz Wilcox – RVE 343 https://therventrepreneur.com/rve343/ The 411 on Email Marketing: A Starter Guide for RV Entrepreneurs https://therventrepreneur.com/the-411-on-email-marketing-a-starter-guide-for-rv-entrepreneurs/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE RV ENTREPRENEUR https://therventrepreneur.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join the RVE community on Facebook! ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠ Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials ⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠ Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠ (NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.) Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form: https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform