Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to James & Kelly Raber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
James & Kelly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
The biggest challenge to profitability in the content creation industry, especially in the RV and travel niche, is the persistent undervaluation of creators’ work. Many people look at influencers or creators and assume it’s a highly profitable industry because they see us traveling to incredible places or working with well-known brands. However, what they don’t see is the behind-the-scenes struggle to monetize our efforts. A staggering 83% of creators are still willing to work with brands for free or in exchange for products. This willingness drives down the perceived value of what creators offer, making it harder for those of us treating this as a true business to secure fair compensation.
For example, early in our journey as the RoadRabers, we were approached by a brand offering a free product in exchange for content. The product itself was valued at less than $100, but they wanted multiple posts, videos, and photos. When we explained our rates and why our work carries value—given the hours of planning, shooting, editing, and distribution—there was pushback. The assumption was that exposure or a free product would be enough. It took time and persistence to position ourselves as professionals and educate brands on why they should invest in creators like us.
This challenge is compounded by the fact that, as creators, we wear multiple hats: we’re marketers, videographers, editors, writers, and customer service reps all in one. And we’re doing all of this while balancing the realities of RV travel and homeschooling our kids. The work is demanding, and profitability hinges on convincing brands to recognize that what we deliver is more than just a few Instagram posts—it’s authentic storytelling, audience engagement, and influence that directly impacts their bottom line.
It’s an ongoing challenge, but we’ve learned to stand firm on our worth and focus on partnerships with brands that truly value the expertise and unique perspective we bring to the table.
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.
We’re the RoadRabers—Kelly, James, and our three kids—and we’re a full-time RV family traveling across the U.S., embracing adventure, learning through roadschooling, and living life on our own terms. Our tagline, Your Dream, Your Way, perfectly captures our mission: we want to inspire others to define their own dreams and live them boldly, just as we’ve done.
Our journey into the content creation industry began when we realized that our lifestyle—balancing family, travel, and education on the road—resonated deeply with others. We saw a gap in relatable, real-world content for families looking to break away from the norm and pursue a life of adventure. We started by sharing our experiences, tips, and lessons, and over time, we developed a brand that provides value through storytelling, technical how-tos, and inspiration.
What We Provide: Our work spans multiple areas:
Educational content: We highlight the educational opportunities of travel, from exploring the Kennedy Space Center to hands-on learning at national parks.
Technical tips and tutorials: We share practical advice on RV maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, helping other RVers feel confident about DIY solutions.
Trip itineraries and travel recommendations: We share detailed itineraries and things to do in the areas we’ve visited, making it easier for families to plan memorable trips filled with adventure and learning.
Lifestyle inspiration: Through social media, videos, and blog posts, we showcase how families can embrace health, adventure, and connection on the road.
Problems We Solve:
We help families overcome the fear of stepping into a less conventional lifestyle, whether that’s deciding to homeschool while traveling, maintaining an RV, or just figuring out how to make their dreams of adventure a reality. Our content also addresses practical issues—how to save money on the road, how to handle RV breakdowns, or even how to make healthier food choices in a lifestyle that often tempts you with convenience.
What Sets Us Apart:
What makes us unique is our focus on authenticity and connection. We’re not just documenting an idyllic lifestyle—we share the challenges, the messy moments, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. James brings technical expertise through his background in mechanics, while Kelly provides insight into health and wellness through natural lifestyle that works even on the road. And together, we make content that’s as relatable as it is inspiring.
What We’re Most Proud Of:
Our proudest moments come from hearing how our work has impacted others. Whether it’s a fellow adventurer who felt empowered to hit the road after seeing our story or a family who fixed an RV problem thanks to one of our tutorials, knowing we’ve made a difference is incredibly rewarding. We’re also proud of the partnerships we’ve built with brands that align with our values, such as those focused on sustainability, travel, or family-friendly products.
What We Want You to Know:
At the heart of everything we do is our belief that you can live your dream, your way. It doesn’t matter if your dream is full-time travel, part-time adventure, or simply breaking free from what feels ordinary—we’re here to inspire, guide, and encourage you to make it happen. Our work isn’t just about us; it’s about building a community of dreamers, doers, and adventurers.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing our audience and clientele has been staying authentic and true to ourselves. From the very beginning, we’ve focused on sharing real, unfiltered moments of our journey—the good, the bad, and everything in between. We believe people connect with authenticity, and that connection fosters trust, which is the foundation of any successful relationship, whether it’s with our audience or the brands we partner with.
We also prioritize partnering with brands that align with our values and lifestyle. We only work with companies we genuinely believe in and whose products we would use regardless of a collaboration. When we showcase a product or service, our followers know it’s something we trust and stand behind, and that builds credibility.
Another key strategy has been engaging directly with our audience. We make an effort to respond to comments, answer questions, and create content that directly addresses their needs or solves their problems. This helps us build a loyal community that feels seen and heard, rather than just “sold to.”
By staying authentic, focusing on value-driven partnerships, and cultivating real relationships with our followers, we’ve been able to grow not just an audience but a community of like-minded adventurers who share our passion for learning, traveling, and living life their way.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One story that truly illustrates our resilience happened in 2023, when we faced one of the biggest challenges of our RVing journey. After years on the road, our trailer needed extensive repairs that made it unlivable. For nine months, we had to send our 5th wheel out of state for repairs and stay stationary with family while we figured out how to move forward.
During that time, we stopped creating content. We were completely defeated in the moment, feeling the weight of being unable to live the lifestyle we’d built our identity around. It was hard to find the energy to stay motivated, and we struggled with the uncertainty of what was next.
But what felt like a setback turned out to be an unexpected turning point. That pause gave us a chance to really reflect on our journey and figure out how we wanted to approach content creation moving forward. It gave us the clarity to refine our mission and reimagine our channel as more than just a highlight reel of life on the road. We realized the value in sharing not just the good times but the hard times too, because those moments are what make this lifestyle real and relatable.
Since then, we’ve come back stronger, more focused, and more intentional. We’ve created content that’s more meaningful, leaned into helping others with practical advice, and reconnected with the heart of why we started the RoadRabers in the first place: to inspire others to live their dream, their way. What felt like a defeat in the moment became a defining moment that gave us the perspective and drive to evolve as creators and as a family.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roadrabers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoadRabers
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@roadrabers
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@roadrabers
Image Credits
All photos were taken by RoadRabers