Some careers follow a clear linear path. Jessica Rider’s career, however, is a testament to adaptability, problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to making processes—and people—better. From operations to entrepreneurship, Jessica’s story is one of identifying gaps, creating solutions, and leading with both tenacity and heart.
Jessica has never followed a conventional path to opportunity. Since the age of 16, each career opportunity has come through her network. “I’ve always been in operations,” she shares. “I love business. I love growth. But more importantly, as I’ve gotten older, I love seeing the growth in humans.”
Her early career was a mosaic of industries—mortgage, financial services, law—each one adding a new layer to her business acumen. The fast pace and high-pressure environment took its toll, however. At just 28, Jessica found herself in the ER with what she thought were stroke symptoms. The diagnosis? Severe stress-induced migraines. The realization that her work was negatively impacting her health set her on a new trajectory.
Jessica’s husband, an avid outdoorsman, encouraged her to spend more time in nature. Camping, however, felt like work rather than an escape. That changed when a career shift allowed them to purchase their first camper, introducing her to the RV world. The experience revealed an industry riddled with inefficiencies. “The buying process was bad. The service process was bad,” she recalls. “I can see the gaps in business, and I can see how to fill them.”
True to her problem-solving nature, Jessica didn’t just identify the issue—she built a business around fixing it. What began as a weekend camping brand soon evolved into a mobile RV service company, meeting customers where they were and ensuring a smoother ownership experience. When the 2020 travel boom hit, demand skyrocketed. “The rate of RV ownership doubled. We went from 350,000 RVs produced annually to 650,000.” Jessica’s company now serves a 60-mile radius around St. Louis, bringing repairs and expertise directly to customers.
Hessica has always been a leader, but entrepreneurship taught her the difference between leading by doing and leading by inspiring. “It’s one thing to be a leader that does the work, but it’s another thing to be the leader that inspires the work.”
Her approach to leadership is rooted in responsibility—she believes that when someone joins her team, their future matters just as much as the business itself. “My dream has to be so huge that everyone who works with me can fit their dreams inside of it.”
Jessica’s impact extends beyond her own businesses. She sits on the board of the RV Women’s Alliance, an organization dedicated to empowering women in the heavily male-dominated RV industry. “One of the biggest things that holds women back is our belief in ourselves,” she explains. “We haven’t seen enough women at the top. If you don’t believe you can get there, it’s never going to happen.”
For Jessica, success isn’t a solo endeavor. She credits much of her journey to the strength of her inner circle, especially her husband of 18 years. “If you don’t have a strong partner in this game, the game is over,” she says matter-of-factly. For Jessica, one of the key strengths of their relationship is the mutual trust they have in one another.
She also values the small but steadfast group of friends and entrepreneurs she surrounds herself with—people who challenge her, support her, and understand the relentless drive it takes to build something from the ground up
Despite the demands of her businesses, Jessica remains committed to the thing that changed her life: nature. Her recommendation to others is simple but powerful: Get in nature. Whether it’s camping, hiking, or just stepping away from the daily grind, she believes in the restorative power of the outdoors.
Jessica Rider’s story is one of resilience, vision, and an unrelenting belief in making things better—whether it’s a broken RV, an inefficient industry, or the next generation of women in business. With her keen eye for solving problems and a leadership philosophy rooted in empowerment, she continues to shape industries, mentor future leaders, and redefine what success looks like—on her own terms.
Connect with her on LinkedIn here