Don't Quit Too Soon This Is Where Growth Happens
Behind the scenes of our campground search—and what we’ve learned so far.
As many of you know, my husband and I have been on a journey to buy a campground ever since we sold our home a couple of years ago. We were under contract on a property, but that deal fell through—and since then, we’ve been actively searching again.
This year, we’ve toured several campgrounds and even considered purchasing raw land to develop our own. While we’ve come across some beautiful properties with woods and water features (just what we’re looking for!), the biggest challenges have been zoning restrictions and the steep costs of installing septic, water, and electricity. For beginners like us, that’s a high barrier to entry.
Most of the campgrounds we’ve looked at have been within a few hours of New York. One consistent obstacle? The financials. Many campground owners don’t keep clean books. If you're a business owner, here’s a tip: avoid running personal expenses through your business account. If your P&L doesn’t reflect a real profit, it becomes nearly impossible for a buyer to finance the purchase.
We’ve explored owner financing as well, but haven’t found the right fit—yet.
This week, I opened up to the women’s mastermind I’m part of about how discouraged I’ve been feeling. I was reminded of a powerful truth: most people fail not because they’re doing something wrong, but because they give up too soon.
Can you relate? It’s easy to shift gears when results don’t come quickly. But often, the breakthrough lies just beyond the point where most people quit. I was reminded that making offers is a numbers game—something I tell our Fireside franchisees all the time when they’re trying to bring in new RVs. It’s also about relationships: getting to know the owners, showing up consistently, and being top of mind when they’re finally ready to sell.
So we’re pressing forward—analyzing deals, making offers, and believing that our future family campground is out there waiting for us.
I've learned that consistent action—even small steps taken daily—is how real progress happens. That’s why I joined both a mastermind and the 30 Days to $500K Challenge with Bill Allen. I needed the accountability and momentum to stay focused and keep moving, even when the journey feels long.
Part of the challenge is showing up every day and sharing our story—so here I am. Over the past few years, we've built a business in the RV rental and repair space, helping families hit the road and create unforgettable memories. Now, we're taking everything we've learned and applying it to our next chapter: owning and operating a campground.
I’ll be sharing our progress over the coming weeks—from raising capital and scouting properties to the real lessons we’re learning in the process.
What are you doing daily to reach your goals? If campground investing or RV parks interest you—or someone you know—just hit reply. I’d love to connect!
💰 Income on the Road
Have you ever explored the idea of workcamping? I’ve definitely considered it—mostly because I’d love to get a behind-the-scenes look at how campgrounds operate. But for now, I just came bring myself to commit to staying in one place.
If you're curious about workcamping opportunities, Workamper News is a great resource. I’m not an affiliate, just passing along something helpful! They offer a free 30-day trial you can check out here.
📝 Roadschool Report
Our homeschool year is officially wrapped! We’ve completed our 180 days as required by NYS and finished up CAT testing. Now it’s time for summer!
While we don’t homeschool year-round, we still embrace learning through everyday life. My oldest often tags along with my husband, an RV tech, gaining hands-on experience in RV repair and business. We’ll also be visiting museums, diving into good books, and soaking up all the learning summer naturally brings.
🏕 Campground of the Week
Village Camp in Flagstaff, AZ is a newer RV resort we stayed at during the fall—and despite a surprise snowfall, we had a great time! The paved sites were perfect for the kids to ride their electric scooters. The premium sites at Village Camp feature outdoor kitchens, and if we return in warmer weather, I’ll definitely be splurging on one of those!
Just down the road, we tackled a challenging (but worth it) hike, at the Lava River Cave, which is a tube cave formed by molten rock.
🛒 Add to Cart: My Current Faves
I have tried gym memberships but there isn’t always one around where we are staying. Fitness centers at the campground are great but not all of the campgrounds have one - so to stay consistent, I got these adjustable weights which helps cut down on space and having additional weight when we don’t need it in the RV. Curious how do you work out on the road?
📚 What I’m Reading or Listening To
Taking a little break from business books and diving into Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. I’ve loved her previous novels, and this one is just as cute—a perfect read for the beach, hammock, or cozy campfire nights.
It’s a lighthearted love story about two authors competing for the same job… and, of course, unexpectedly falling for each other. I haven’t finished it yet, so no spoilers on whether it has a happily-ever-after—but so far, it’s been a fun read!
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I’ve helped several small businesses and yes you are so correct about segregating personal funds from business. Also work to insulate your business from your person in case of liabilities in the business. Losing business assets is bad. Losing your home and personal assets is worse. Separate bank accounts. And if you have lots of money, multiple business bank accounts (FDIC insurance rules as the silicon bank loss is prime example). If business needs cash, it’s a loan (interest free or not) from personal bank to business bank. Hands free transaction and record keeping and documentation to in future keep IRS or State auditors off you. Will follow your story. May you find that right spot. And great about your oldest at least learning from his dad. Either future career or personal future savings taking care of himself and his future family. Thanks for your posts.