The Queen Bee of RVing

More than 60 female RV enthusiasts from more than a dozen states convened in mid-March at a state park about 50 miles east of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to immerse themselves in all things RV. Educational sessions provided hands-on RV systems training and tips on towing and boondocking.

It was all part of the inaugural Queen Bee RV Symposium, organized by Brenda Puckett, the self-described Queen Bee RV, a role that might be explained as part educator and part cheerleader for women interested in RVing. More than a year of planning culminated in the four-day event, held at scenic Sequoyah State Park.

Puckett is elated with the feedback. Attendees said the event exceeded expectations.

“They have been sending me gushing messages. Even the road warriors said things like, ‘I cannot tell you how much I have learned, what I’ve gained.’ The speakers were phenomenal. It was successful beyond my wildest dreams.”

Puckett lives in northeast Oklahoma, where she decided to hold her first symposium. She has traveled around the country to teach women’s workshops for several years. The symposium will become an annual event, but Puckett is open to holding it in various locations. She says the women’s movement in RVs has momentum and is finally being noticed by the industry.

Inside the Inaugural Queen Bee RV Symposium

“It’s always been my dream to host my own symposium and have it be the go-to event for women’s education in the RV space, whether they’re brand-new or road warrior veterans,” Puckett says. “We had women’s presenters, speakers, vendors and sponsors. They were either the owner of the company or co-owner of the company, and that was what we achieved.”

Puckett partnered with Bob Hurley RV, a well-known dealership in Tulsa, for the event. It is a relationship she says will continue for future symposiums. Bob Hurley also sent over some of their RVs, so attendees could see them up close and ask questions. Puckett moderated a panel with Hurley staff.

“They sent us an army of their female staff,” she says. “It was so amazing. They had someone from marketing, sales, accounting, controller, inventory and parts and service. Those departments are all female-led.”

Bob Hurley also put Puckett in touch with Ashley Lehman, co-founder and CEO of Ember Recreational Vehicles, a builder of lightweight travel trailers in Bristol, Indiana.

“She wanted to be a part of this too. She joined us via Zoom while she was in an airport, traveling, but she wanted to be involved as well,” Puckett says. “That was so powerful, getting to talk to somebody in that type of leadership role, and the women getting to ask her about the manufacturing process. That session was what every RV dealer wishes RV owners would know. I got a little teary during some of their sessions, because that was exactly what I had envisioned: the women not feeling intimidated, confidently asking questions in a safe environment.”

Puckett also crafted symposium sessions led by women with successful RV careers. Evada Cooper, one of the original co-owners of the National RV Training Academy and author of an RV cookbook, was the symposium’s featured speaker. She delivered a session titled “My RV Kitchen,” which has been popular at RV rallies.

Another featured speaker was Ashley O’Neill, a specialist from Performance Trailer Braking in Norman, Oklahoma, who conducted a hands-on session on brakes, suspensions and axles.

“We had women there at the symposium who don’t own an RV yet, and they’re RV-curious. They’re out there shopping or testing the waters, and want all the information. I love hearing women say that they learn something, and that they’re taking away something.”

How Queen Bee RV Got Its Start

Puckett launched Queen Bee RV in 2020, after attending the National RV Training Academy in Athens, Texas, and becoming a certified RV inspector. She initially performed inspections. Over time, her efforts evolved into a women’s education business and a movement to promote participation of women in RVing. She also became a technical assistant at the academy and later became one of its lead instructors, spending about half of her time there. When she’s not teaching in Texas, Puckett holds Queen Bee RV events around the country.

“It just evolved into this women’s niche. I’ve been traveling the country for the past several years, teaching workshops and focusing on women,” she says. “I’ve had manufacturers invite me to their rallies, to do some focused women’s sessions. It’s not just solo women. There are people like me that are married and the mister, or partner, does not like to camp. There are people who camp with their partner, as well as just with the girls. Then there are a lot of women who are single. They might have lost a spouse or are divorced. It’s a good mix.”

Puckett focuses on essentials during her women’s workshops. This could be basic information on electrical, propane systems or water and wastewater management.

“We’ll do some life safety things with all the pieces and parts. Safety is a hot topic with the ladies. A lot of them are hitching and towing. We go through all sorts of valuable information about being a better RV owner and operator. That is important to them.”

Puckett thinks many RV dealers underestimate the buying power of women. This was a concern expressed by symposium attendees.

“Not all of them understand there are women out there who are ready to purchase, who are doing this by themselves. It was impactful to have Bob Hurley employees there, because they have such a female force on their staff. They definitely have been catering to them. I’ve been getting invited to national manufacturer’s rallies specifically to speak to women. People are noticing, so I hope dealerships are paying attention.”

Puckett says people are sometimes confused about the connection between Queen Bee RV and her work at the National RV Training Academy. Sometimes they can’t understand that they are separate businesses.

“I want to make sure people understand I am a contract worker there, but it is my job. It keeps me sharp. I’m always growing my skills by teaching there,” Puckett says. “I like writing curriculum and speaking to all different types of adult learners. I absolutely love it.”

A Personal Journey to Solo RVing

Puckett and her husband, whom she refers to as “Mr. Queen Bee,” were campers years ago, until he decided he no longer wanted to camp. A chance encounter with an all-female camping group led Puckett to make a decision that altered her career arc.

“Mr. Queen Bee and I decided that we would try camping 15 or more years ago. We only lasted a few years. We live out in the country, and he prefers to be here with all his toys on our land. He was growing weary of camping. We stumbled across an all-female camping group who had reserved the whole campground where we were camping. It was called ‘Sisters on the Fly,’” she says.

Encountering this women’s group, coupled with her husband’s urging, gave Puckett the confidence to plunge into solo RVing and, eventually, pursue her current twin careers.

“Sometimes I need to see somebody else doing something, and then it occurs to me I can do that too,” Puckett says. “My husband was the one to suggest to me that I could camp by myself. It had never occurred to me that I could do that without my spouse.”

Puckett encourages women interested in RVing to do their due diligence. She has a YouTube channel accessible through her website, queenbeerv.com, with lots of how-to videos and blogs.

“There’s so much information out there presented by a woman to women. Just go out and try to envision yourself doing it. Trust yourself and start visualizing yourself out there, living life to the fullest. I promise you, you’ll find your tribe,” Puckett says. “There are tens of thousands of us out there. I don’t know the exact number, but I’ve seen data that shows 40% of RV owners are women. Just give it a whirl and reach out. I don’t want to say don’t be scared, because it is scary. I encourage them to take the first step, whether it’s looking online or coming to an actual event.”

Before Queen Bee RV, Puckett was a real estate agent, and before that, she owned a cheerleading and dance team company for about 20 years.

“Needless to say, I’m an extrovert, and I like to be out there. I’ve always risen to the role of trainer or leader. Coaching has always been in my blood, and I did the same thing in real estate. It was a natural [fit] once I saw the training academy. I thought, I could come back here and do this one day. Sure enough, I made it. I’m still there.”

With her busy dual career, Puckett hasn’t had much time to go camping lately. She hopes to change that this year.

“I have a lovely travel trailer that looks pretty retro. It’s newer, and it fits my brand to a T. I love being in it. I love camping, so I’m going to be doing more of it this year, and I do have some rallies I’ll be going to. We’ll see if I’ll drag the trailer there, or if I have to fly, but I’m hoping to camp.”