We recently connected with Audrina Blackburn and have shared our conversation below.
Audrina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers
Let me take you on a wild journey—one that completely flipped my life upside down in the best (and craziest) way possible.
Picture this: selling nearly everything we owned, packing up four dogs, two kids (part-time), and hitting the road in a 22-foot travel trailer, all while running a business. I promise, it’s as chaotic as it sounds, but let me rewind and give you the full backstory so you can really understand how I got here.
I’m Audrina Blackburn. I’m 34 (okay, almost 35), and I’m the Cofounder of Summit Chasers Network, and the host of Voices of Impact by Audrina podcast. Life, until about three years ago, was comfortable. Too comfortable. I was VP of Business Operations at a marketing company in Las Vegas, raking in six figures, traveling regularly, married, and living what most would call a dream life. I had been at the company for nine years, and things were smooth. Maybe too smooth.
Then, I blew it all up.
In what can only be described as a complete life overhaul, I filed for divorce, which—thankfully—was the most amicable divorce I’ve ever heard of (and I got to keep my spunky bulldog). Shortly after, I left the company I had been at for nearly a decade. I was newly single, jobless, and standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing I needed a massive change. Comfort wasn’t cutting it anymore. Enter Zach, my now-partner in life and business. Zach came with two adorable kids and a sweet Staffy, so in one fell swoop, I found myself stepping into the roles of “stepmom” and dog-mom times two (spoiler alert: we eventually added two more dogs to the chaos).
We relocated from Las Vegas to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a fractional role Zach took, but it didn’t take long before we realized we wanted to start something of our own. Summit Chasers Network was born, a business dedicated to helping small and mid-sized businesses build lasting success. We didn’t want to focus on flashy marketing trends; we wanted to dig deep, build foundations, create jobs, and leave a real legacy for the people we worked with.
The goal? Simplify success and live an extraordinary life.
Naturally, we thought, why not put that idea to the ultimate test?
So, we sold (almost) everything, bought a 22-foot travel trailer with only 18 feet of living space, and took off on the road with four dogs—the smallest weighing in at 45 pounds, the largest at 110 pounds—and Zach’s two kids, aged 4 and 6, part-time. Yep, that’s right. Two adults, four dogs, and two kids, all crammed into a trailer, trying to run a business.
We hit the road in April 2024, and let me tell you, I was a rollercoaster of emotions. Part of me was so excited for the challenge—after all, I’d never been particularly outdoorsy, and suddenly I was going to be living out of a travel trailer, exploring new places, and running a business. But I was also full of anxiety. Would there be wifi? Could we keep up with client calls and podcast recordings? How were we going to look professional while doing all this from (at times) the middle of nowhere? Would we be okay traveling through unpredictable weather? My mind was spinning.
The first two weeks were off to a rocky start. We camped in places with horrible wifi, so we found ourselves making daily treks to the nearest coffee shop just to get on a call. We went stretches of eight days at a time on the road, driving hours each day, setting up camp at a new spot every night. Client calls happened in gas station parking lots or random spots on the highway in the trailer, podcast episodes were recorded in the most unexpected places, and through it all, we managed to keep things running—barely. Oh, and did I mention we launched this journey in tornado season? Because, of course, we did.
In those first four months, we faced a leaky trailer, extreme weather, and chaos, but we also had so much fun. We learned quickly that with the right systems and processes, you really can run a business from anywhere. We managed to secure multiple partnerships, hosted live events, worked with at-risk youth, and even brought on new clients. We had moments that could have been make or break for our business, and I’m proud to say we came out on the other side, stronger than ever.
But here’s where things really shifted for me—and the lessons I learned from running a business on the road.
1. Time is a Precious Resource
When you’re constantly on the move, you don’t have time to waste. Travel days meant hours in the car, so I had to structure my time to squeeze in work, client calls, and podcast recordings whenever I could. I realized just how much time I’d been wasting back when I had the luxury of a home office. Now, I block my days more effectively, making sure every minute counts.
2. Be Intentional
Running a business can make you feel like you’re juggling a thousand things at once, but being on the road forced me to focus on what really mattered. I had to be deliberate about my actions and make sure I wasn’t getting lost in the weeds. Now, I carry that mindset into everything I do—prioritizing tasks that truly move the business forward.
3. Get Uncomfortable to Grow
I coasted for years, staying in my comfort zone, but the past few years—and especially those four months on the road—pushed me to grow more than I ever thought possible. It’s incredible what happens when you challenge yourself to do something new and uncomfortable. Now, I’m constantly seeking out personal growth, reflecting on my skill gaps, and finding ways to improve.
4. Systems and Processes Are Key
We wouldn’t have survived without the right systems in place. From onboarding clients to our podcast workflow, we had to build efficient processes that allowed us to work flexibly. That’s a lesson I carry with me today—streamlining our processes for better efficiency and scalability.
5. Adaptability is Everything
Almost nothing went to plan. There were constant pivots and unexpected challenges, but we learned to embrace them and find creative solutions. Now, that adaptability is part of our business DNA—we’re always ready to pivot when necessary, but always aligned with our long-term vision.
We’re back in one place for now, but the experience of running a business on the road has completely changed how I operate. And here’s the thing: not everyone can pack up and hit the road, but I challenge you to shake up your routine in some small way. Push yourself out of your comfort zone, and you’ll be amazed at how much it will impact not just your personal growth but your business as well.
As founders, we set the ceiling for our businesses. It’s up to us to keep learning and growing if we want to break through that ceiling and build something extraordinary.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi, I’m Audrina Blackburn, and here’s a bit about me and my journey into the world of entrepreneurship and business consulting.
Up until a few years ago, my life was pretty predictable. I was a VP of Business Operations at a performance marketing company in Las Vegas, making six figures, traveling often, and enjoying life as a dog mom. But something inside me knew I needed more—more growth, more challenges, and a bigger purpose.
After going through a significant life transition—including a divorce and leaving the company I had been with for almost a decade—I took a leap into entrepreneurship. I co-founded Summit Chasers Network alongside my partner, Zach. It was a huge shift, but one that has allowed me to truly align my life and career with what I’m passionate about: helping small and mid-sized businesses succeed by building sustainable growth strategies.
What We Do at Summit Chasers Network:
At Summit Chasers Network, we work with small and mid-sized business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs, focusing on the core principles that drive long-term success. We aren’t about quick-fix marketing trends or empty promises. Instead, we dig deep into building strong business foundations—whether it’s operations, team development, or strategic growth. Our goal is to equip business owners with the tools and systems they need to not only scale but to create a lasting legacy.
We help our clients grow their businesses while also allowing them to live the life they want. That’s something we’re proud to embody ourselves, having successfully run our business from a travel trailer on the road, proving that you can create a thriving business while prioritizing freedom and flexibility.
What Problems Do We Solve?
Many small businesses struggle with scaling. Often, they get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of the bigger picture. That’s where we come in. We help them identify the gaps in their operations, streamline processes, and develop a roadmap for growth that’s sustainable. It’s not just about growing fast—it’s about growing with purpose. Whether it’s increasing operational efficiency, strengthening team dynamics, or refining their business strategy, we help businesses focus on what truly matters: creating a legacy that goes beyond profits based on building a solid foundation.
What Sets Us Apart?
There are a lot of business consulting firms out there, but what sets Summit Chasers Network apart is our approach. We don’t just offer one-size-fits-all solutions. We take the time to understand the unique challenges and goals of each business we work with. We are doers and hands-on partners in their journey. We have a team of specialists that allows us to see the full picture and not just focus on surface level issues but really address the root cause. Plus, we practice what we preach. We’re living proof that with the right systems in place, you can run a business from anywhere, under any conditions, without sacrificing growth or success.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m incredibly proud of the way we’ve been able to create success, not just for ourselves, but for the businesses we partner with. Over the past year, we’ve helped founders build sustainable businesses, create jobs, and set up legacies that impact their communities. I’m also proud of the challenges we’ve overcome—both in business and in life—because they’ve only made us stronger and more adaptable.
What I Want Potential Clients to Know:
At Summit Chasers Network, we’re more than just consultants; we’re your strategic partners. We care about your success as much as you do, and we believe in building businesses that aren’t just about profits, but about making a lasting impact. If you’re ready to grow, scale, and create a business that supports the life you truly want, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you need help with strategy, team development, or operations, we can help you get there—no matter where you’re starting from.
www.summitchasersnetwork.com
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
A big factor that’s helped us build our reputation is the unique approach we’ve taken with hosting live shows every week on LinkedIn. It’s been an incredible way to not only showcase our expertise but also demonstrate consistency and authenticity. By showing up week after week, we’ve been able to highlight that we’re disciplined and truly committed to delivering value to our audience.
What makes our shows stand out is that while they’re mostly unscripted, we do take the time to prepare when needed. We often use slides and other materials to stay focused and ensure we’re delivering the most value. This helps us avoid going off on tangents and makes sure we cover the key points that our audience needs. But at the same time, the unscripted nature allows us to be flexible and think on our feet, which shows our ability to speak to a wide range of topics and adapt to the flow of the conversation.. And, let’s be honest, sometimes we mess up. We aren’t afraid to show our human side. We believe it’s important to be relatable and real rather than trying to be perfect all the time.
This authenticity has helped build trust with our audience. They can see that we’re not just here to sell something—we’re here to share insights, help others grow, and genuinely connect. It’s been a key way for us to demonstrate that we don’t just talk about business principles and strategies—we live them. And if things go sideways sometimes, that’s just part of the process. We learn, we grow, and we keep moving forward, which is exactly what we help our clients do.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
Keeping in touch with our clients and fostering brand loyalty is a core part of what we do at Summit Chasers Network—it’s literally built into our name. The “Network” is not just a buzzword; it’s the heart of how we operate. We believe in building genuine relationships with our clients and continually finding ways to connect them to opportunities, people, and resources that can elevate their business and help them reach their goals.
One thing we pride ourselves on is not just being a service provider, but being a connector. When you become part of Summit Chasers Network, you’re not just working with us—you’re tapping into a whole community of like-minded professionals and business owners. We’re always actively introducing our clients to others within our network who might be able to collaborate with them, offer advice, or open doors to new opportunities. It’s like having an extended team that’s always ready to support your growth.
We also focus on creating an open line of communication with our clients. Whether it’s through regular check-ins, our live shows, or personalized outreach, we make sure our clients always know they have direct access to us—and by extension, to the entire Summit Chasers community. It’s not a one-and-done relationship; we aim to build long-term connections that evolve as our clients grow.
Ultimately, our goal is to create a network that feels like a true community—where every call, every connection, and every interaction helps our clients move one step closer to their vision. That’s what fosters brand loyalty: knowing that you’re not just a client, but a valued member of something bigger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.summitchasersnetwork.com
- Instagram: @summitchasersnetwork
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrinablackburn/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SummitChasersProductions
- Other: Voices of Impact Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-impact-by-audrina/id1732938486
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2X5XN1TGjFenHTmKuhsuX9
Image Credits
n/a all are personal photos