Welcome to Feature Friday, where I’ll introduce you every week to a Roadpreneur building a business that lets them explore more often. Through these stories, you’ll gain sparks of inspiration that can be woven into your journey.
One of the best parts of the RV lifestyle is exploring new places, yet so many people get caught up in the trap of going to tried-and-true destinations that they miss the hidden gems along the way.
That feeling of FOMO is what caught today’s guest, Brooks Smothers’, interest. He saw others missing out on those destinations and wanted to change that for them. So, he used his voice to create a podcast and inspire others to explore deeper inside the region he loves the most — the Pacific Northwest.
This concept of finding a gap in the market and then filling it is what allows so many people to move from idea to income, and fast. I know you’ll be inspired by how Brooks found his business idea and what he’s done with it (over 100 podcast episodes and counting!). And I know you’ll feel inspired by how he’s shining a light on other creators and enthusiasts.
Meet, Brooks.
What is your name and what do you do?
Brooks Smothers, podcast producer and host of a show called RV Out West
How do you seek adventure on the open road?
When traveling, I look to find adventure through all five senses. From outdoor recreational activities to finding that quaint little hole-in-the-wall restaurant or the quest for a food truck to finding a fresh pint, at the end of the day, I want to see it, taste it, and experience it for myself.
What inspired you to start this business?
Originally it started as just a creative outlet during the pandemic as I saw a lack of podcasts that really discuss RVing in the Pacific Northwest. The ones I did find always just chatted about our three National Parks (Mount Rainier, Olympic, and the North Cascades), and this area has so much more to offer to RVers that I want to share my Pacific Northwest pride as there really is a lot of to see and do here. In my opinion, it probably is one of the greatest overlooked RV destinations in the United States.
What do you like most about your business?
I find a deep sense of satisfaction in crafting my episodes. Not only am I talking about a topic that I am passionate about, but I find joy in the puzzle of my content calendar. Making sure that my episodes are both timely and relevant for my audience.
What’s going through your audience’s mind when they ask you for help?
My audience is mostly local Pacific Northwesterners who also share a love of RVing around the area, but I also help as a guide as I share my experiences, both good and bad, as I RV with my family. To the places we visited, how we prepare for rv travel, the gear we use that holds up to our crazy weather, and even to the roadside setbacks. We aim for our listeners to find value and helpful information as they look to their own RV journeys in the Pacific Northwest.
How have you designed your business to run while you roam?
The nature of this business means I really just need a few things, from my laptop to my audio equipment, and I am able to produce episodes on the road. Plus, a good internet connection when it’s time to upload an episode.
What challenges have you faced by running a business from the road?
Recording an episode inside my trailer means that it is not a wonderful recording studio. From outside noises and road traffic to dogs barking, it has been a bit of a challenge to record. That really has been my biggest challenge.
If you had to start over again, what would you do differently?
Honestly, I can’t really think of anything here. What originally started out as just a creative outlet has organically grown into a budding opportunity. I’m not sure that I would do anything differently.
What’s the biggest compliment you’ve ever received?
I remember the very first inbound email that I received via my website form from a listener. They thanked me for creating my show, saying that I had inspired them to visit new locations in the Pacific Northwest, even though they had lived in Washington State their whole lives. I really thought that was cool, and it inspired me to keep going.
What are you getting excited about right now?
My head is always swarming with ideas, and then it’s triaging the big ideas into time and effort. I’ve got a lot of new ideas on the direction that I want to take my website in. Currently, it really is just a repository of the 100-plus episodes I have produced, and I want to move it in a different direction where it will become a destination for RVers looking for information about RVing Out West and specifically RVing in the Pacific Northwest.
I really love podcasting as a format. People can listen to podcasts whenever they have a few moments of a day, from a car ride to cleaning a pile of messy dishes. One can plug into a show when it works for them. It’s intimate, as I’m talking right in their ears, and so I am also looking at new episode segments that I want to introduce to our listeners.
Where can we connect with you?
RV Out west can be found online at www.rvoutwest.com
You can find our podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. We are in all the directories Apple, Amazon, Spotify and many more.
You can join in the conversation and follow along on our Pacific Northwest RV adventures:
Instagram @rv_out_west
Facebook @rv.out.west
Threads @rv_out_west
Or drop us an email: [email protected]