From College to Career: Sarah’s Journey from Knoxville to NRVTA’s Women-Owned RV Repair Business

When Sarah from Knoxville, Tennessee, started thinking about her future, she never imagined it would involve building a women-owned RV repair business. But life has a way of steering us toward the unexpected — especially when you’re willing to take the wheel.

Her journey began when her family bought a brand-new RV — a 2022 model that should have been a dream come true. Instead, it came with one problem after another. Weeks of waiting for dealership repairs made her dad realize something needed to change.

“He decided to come here and do the Fundamentals course at the National RV Training Academy,” Sarah said. “He wanted to learn how to fix things himself — and he loved it.”

Learning the NRVTA Way

After seeing how much her dad got out of the experience, Sarah decided to attend NRVTA in Athens, Texas, herself. She quickly realized this wasn’t just another school — it was a place where hands-on learning meets real-world confidence.

“I’m a very hands-on learner,” she said. “I love figuring out how things work or why they don’t work. The amount of hands-on work we get to do here is so beneficial — more than anything I’ve ever done.”

Each day at NRVTA blends classroom instruction with hands-on practice in live lab settings. Students learn to test, repair, and troubleshoot RV systems like electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, furnaces, and refrigerators — gaining the experience they’ll need to run their own businesses or serve clients across the country.

“The instructors make sure you understand what you’re doing,” Sarah explained. “They know they’re sending you out to do professional work, and they prepare you for that.”

Building a Family Business — and a Movement

With her certification in progress, Sarah is already working with her family to launch their mobile RV repair and storage business in Knoxville. The company will offer mobile service, on-site storage, and full shop repairs — all run by a family team with a passion for helping others.

“It’s going to be women-owned, family-operated, and built from the ground up,” Sarah said. “We’re just jumping in headfirst.”

For Sarah, this path isn’t just about business — it’s about breaking barriers. “I was nervous at first because this isn’t really a female-dominated field,” she admitted. “But nobody treated me differently. The instructors and classmates were all so supportive. If I figured something out before anyone else, they’d cheer for me. It was awesome.”

A New Generation of RV Professionals

Sarah’s story represents what NRVTA, along with RVTAA and NRVIA, stand for: empowering everyday people to gain independence, build businesses, and help RV owners across the country.

“I went to college for five years,” she said, “and I’ve never enjoyed school as much as I did here.”

Her message for anyone considering NRVTA is simple: “If you’re thinking about it, just do it. Don’t wait. Take the chance — it’s worth it.”