Discover the 3 keys that put these RVers in the driver’s seat for working on the road with good Sam.
Before Jim and Julie Golden hit the road for a living in their RV, they held down high-pressure jobs that kept them off the highway and in the office for long hours. Jim, originally from Alabama, worked in outside sales for Fortune 500 companies, while Julie, a native of Wichita, Kansas, kept busy as a CPA with her own practice.
But the couple had no plans to stay in the white-collar treadmill for the rest of their lives. In fact, they never gave up on their dream of long jaunts in an RV. “Each of us grew up in families that loved to camp,” explains Jim. “We both love the outdoors and our long-term goal has always been to RV and travel the country.”
Jim Golden grills up some juicy steaks during a recent trip.
The Goldens discovered a great opportunity to live the dream — and reap income on the road — by becoming a Good Sam rep team.
“Some friends of ours have been Good Sam reps for 20 years,” explained Jim. “We have always thought that it sounded like the perfect dream job for us. Once our kids were raised and on their own, we talked with our friends some more and they referred us. We got hired that year and have loved it ever since!”
Living the Dream
With a home base in Tucson, Arizona, the Goldens spend much of the year on the road, carrying out inspections and developing marketing plans for parks listed in the Good Sam Guide Series and online.
The couple covers the Idaho and Montana territories, and that means long journeys between customers across the vast spaces of the American West. But for the Goldens, the untamed regions of the northwest means more encounters with wildlife.
A visit to Yellowstone National Park, home to iconic geysers.
“We love the nature of that area,” says Jim. “It’s not uncommon to be stopped by turkeys, geese, or bison crossing the road! Certainly not something that you see every day!”
So how does a pair of RVing travelers seamlessly blend work and play?
The Goldens’ success can be traced to 3 simple fundamentals.
1) Being a ‘People Person’
“We are both people persons,” explains Julie. “We love meeting new people. It’s really a great combination for people who want to work but don’t want to work a traditional full-time job.”
Making new friends also means sustaining important business relationships. “We have had the same territory for a while now, and we really enjoy the relationships we have built with our park owners too. The biggest perk we like with this job is being paid to travel and make friends!”
Bison block traffic as they amble along a road in Yellowstone National Park.
2) Believing in the Good Sam mission
With two million-plus members and a track record of more than 50 years, the Good Sam Club is a great brand to get behind. The Goldens show RV parks how they can make the most of their partnerships with Good Sam, from helping customers to enjoying a wider online reach.
“We believe in the power of Good Sam for our parks, and it is super gratifying to help park owners grow their business and to share in their success,” explains Jim.
3) Being Organized
The Goldens leverage their experience from their past professional lives and use it on the road.
“Being organized and being an outgoing person with attention to details,” says Julie. “A background in sales is helpful but not really necessary. Most of our business comes from simply talking and being able to communicate the great things that Good Sam can do for parks. Enthusiasm is a big plus too!”
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