A Transplanted New Yorker Finds Her Calling As A Park Manager In The Sunshine State
Attending a conference as a newbie can always be intimidating but returning and seeing a progression of knowledge and building on that is always a great stepping stone. The Buzz caught up with NYC transplant Amber Korn, manager of Fleetwood RV Park in Jacksonville at the 2016 Florida ARVC Conference to talk about evolution, thinking in new ways, getting the job done and changes in scenery.
The Buzz: What was the biggest leap in taking on this new type of business from your previous gig in NYC?
Amber Korn: I have always been in the office experience as a receptionist...always had customer service jobs. Basically, the only thing I had to learn about was RVing...the different types of RVs, the electricity and obviously the codes. The business and the numbers and dealing with all the computer stuff...was simple, easy. All my background [previously was] in the medical field...always dealing with software programs.
The Buzz: Can you talk about the importance of coming into an association when you first started 4 years ago.
AK: When I first came to the park, coming to an association [conference] like this and the first seminars that I went to… literally everything I took from that… increased my park's revenue by 40%. [This was] just from coming to the seminars and [learning about the] different applications and the different vendors out there…advertising… different programs you can put your name in. There is so much that teaches you. It really helped me.
The Buzz: You seem like the self-sufficient type. You could do it on your own without any support.
AK: [Like] just going into a park and taking it over? 100%. But it's also depends who you are and how you are ethically. Any job I go into I will be who I am. I am going to be who I'm going to be. I do think the associations can make me a better manager just because of the knowledge [they provide].
The Buzz: How did you go from being in NY to managing an RV Park in Jacksonville? Can you talk about that change?
AK: It was a big change. [As I said], I came from the medical field. I literally came to Florida because I was done with the snow (laughing). That was really it. I wanted to be in warm weather and was just tired of the snow. And Florida really is a lot cheaper. All my family is [still in NY]. Only my father is in Jacksonville so that is how I know [the city]...because of my father. My father has an RV so I told him "I want to come and try Florida". I was only going to try it...in an RV...at an RV park. Then I started talking to the managers and asking questions like "why do you do this?"..."how come this is [this]?" [Basically] why things run and how things run. It makes you understand [the place] better and makes you appreciate things better. I just talked to them. [At Fleetwood] we are not a resort-y park. It's not like they knew who I was or we saw each other on a regular basis. But just from me going there once a month and paying my bill...when [the owners] were about to retire, they came and said "Hey...do you think you want to try out [for this position]? We're leaving." I went in there and my boss actually said "I don't want to hire a young person. If you notice, most RV parks are run by couples, older usually...they're more mature...they just know things...I don't want a young person". I just told him "This is what I can do. I am a business person...a multi-tasker. I will give you my best in everything. “ And I got the job...and stayed ever since. (smiling)
The Buzz: Were they surprised by how you maybe run the business differently?
AK: Not so much the way I run the business but the way I handle my customers. I am good on a customer level. They were surprised how friendly I am. Maybe they did not have a lot of "friendly" in manager [before]. [But] in terms of taking care of any problems the customers or the residents have? When you have a privately owned RV business now, some people [will be] like: "I don't want to deal with that customer". They’re like “OK. Go. I don't need you" and take the next person. Me...no. Every person that comes in, I take concern [for]. I don't know if that is being in the customer service field in NY and coming down here...and that's what I have? I don't know. The fast pace of being from NY? I don't know. In NY...it's different jobs. We are always going, going, going. When I came down to Florida, it [seemed] a little more relaxed and slow paced. A little bit I felt...not everywhere...but in certain things. Here is a good example. When I [first] came down to the park, everything was on paper so I put it on computer. I just upgraded everything.
The Buzz: Have you noticed a change in the types of people and campers coming through your park? Are they consistently older or are you getting some younger people as well?
AK: I am right off of I95 so my campground is really perfect for people coming and going into Florida. I see a lot of different people. Mostly I see a lot of older people but lately I have been seeing more middle aged [customers]… in their 30s and 40s. [My campground is] not such as destination park. I am just on the path. I’m not sure if you heard at the conference, but [they were saying] a lot of people are buying smaller RVs. They are very cheap. A lot of [young] people are doing more of [that] because it can be easily financed. They can pay just $80 a month. I have a couple at my park right now from California. They have a small 24 foot travel trailer. They are [just] traveling in that. They're young… about 32…and it is what they could afford. They wanted to travel so that's what they do.
The Buzz: What has been your biggest takeaway returning to attend FARVC this time?
AK: This is my second conference. When I first started, I didn't know anything about RVs so I came to the conference to learn. I haven't come back in the past couple years until this one just because I haven't been able to find anybody to cover for me [at the park]. [But as far as changes], the biggest difference I see is the regulation and legislation part. As a manager [initially] I would never have [thought] about legislation. But I come in here and he [Jeff Simms] opened up my eyes [in that] maybe I should think about meeting my local [senators]. That is something I took away from this specific conference that I would have never thought about before.
Tim Wassberg
A graduate of New York University's Tisch School Of The Arts with degrees in Film/TV Production & Film Criticism, Tim has written for magazines such as Moviemaker, Moving Pictures, Conde Nast Traveler UK and Casino Player. He enjoys traveling and distinct craft beers among other things.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Fleetwood RV Park, where all sites are full hook-up and the friendly office staff is always there to help. Whether you want to relax, go to the beach, shop, eat at local restaurants, enjoy water sports, Jacksonville is the place to visit. There is something for everyone!