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The Birth of a Company
 
Mark Polk 
RV Education 101 is a North Carolina based company that produces and sells
educational videos, DVDs and E-books on how to use RV’s. Mark Polk, the
owner, with his extensive background working for an RV
dealership, stated he saw a real need for the videos. “We would sell the RV
and give the customer a walk-through (or orientation, of the unit) but between
the excitement and the vast amount of information given in a short period of
time they would only retain maybe 20% of it”. “These videos give the
customer something to refer back to, and they can watch it in the comfort of
their own home or at the campground, as many times as they like, prior to
venturing out with their new RV. Just think about how many times it takes of
hearing your favorite song before you can even think about singing along? 16 or
more times!!!!”
Mark J. Polk was introduced to RV’s in the early 70’s. His friend’s
father was the General Manager for an RV dealership and would take them camping
all of the time. Before long he was working for the dealership washing RV’s, and
soon after that he was working as an apprentice RV technician.
Not long after graduating from high school Mark joined the Army and was a wheeled vehicle and power
generation mechanic. 5+ years later he graduated from warrant officer school as
an automotive maintenance technician and was in charge of some very large
maintenance operations throughout his career. He retired from the Army in 1996
as a Chief Warrant Officer Three.
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Chief Warrant
Officer Three Mark Polk was awarded a first place maintenance award
from General Shelton. General Shelton later became the 14th Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, and served two 2-year terms under both President Bill
Clinton and President George W. Bush.
At the time of this award, CW3 Mark Polk was responsible for providing
technical guidance and implementing policies to ensure responsive repair and
maintenance support for over 420 assigned major equipment items valued in excess
of 13 million dollars. Under Marks technical supervision and
guidance, Mark established the standard in his brigade for maintenance
excellence by winning first place in the Chief of Staff Army
Maintenance Excellence Competition in 1995.
Mark was honored to have worked under, and receive this award from
General Shelton, as General Shelton was given the
Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award the United States
Congress can bestow. General Shelton has been internationally recognized for his
public service and, in 2001, he was knighted by Queen
Elizabeth.
After retiring from the Army, Mark got back into the
industry that he had a passion for. He started out selling RVs for a dealership
in North
Carolina and was soon promoted to the sales and F&I
manager. Polk was concerned about the lack of education and awareness for the RV
consumer and while still working for the dealership, started his own
company, RV EDUCATION 101 in November 1999, until he
could devote his full attention to RV EDUCATION 101 in 2000. Mark is a published RV writer. He writes monthly articles for RV
newsletters to include:
RV Education 101 newsletter
KOA Kompass Newsletter
RVTV Newsletter
Poulsbo RV Newsletter
RV Family Circle of Trust Newsletter
Camping World Newsletter
Mark has also written articles for RV consumer and trade
publications for:
RV News
RV Business
RV Companion
Pop-Up Times
RV Free Wheelin’
Trail Blazer
RV Pro
RVers Corner Newsletter
Happy Camper Newsletter
Campers Choice Newsletter
Bella RV Newsletter
Mark also conducts seminars at RV Industry Shows and RV
Retail shows. Mark’s latest adventure is with RVTV as
their “RV SAVVY GUY” airing on the Outdoor Channel.
Dawn Polk is Mark’s wife and is RV Education
101’s Sales and Marketing director. Dawn’s background was in cosmetics
ranging from a featured make-up artist to an account manager for an
international cosmetic line. After 15 years in that industry she wanted a career
change. She took a position in RV sales. After 3 years in the RV industry she
left her position to help start RV Education 101.
Mark & Dawn have two boys, Tyler 8 and Josh 14, both
avid RVers. Josh and Tyler both love to play baseball
(especially catch in the backyard with dad). They are forever
asking when we can “HIT THE ROAD” again.
Two dogs are also part of the Polk family, Gracie and Buck. Gracie is the good one.
Tyler took the picture of Gracie, the West
Highland White Terrier, and Buck, an Australian Terrier, while we were
set-up with their traveling pen at a campground.
Mark and Dawn freelance for RV dealers in the area to
keep current with what is happening in the industry. They travel about 10,000
miles a year in their 28-foot Class C motor home, and feel
that there is not enough emphasis placed on properly educating the RV
consumer on the complexities of owning and operating an RV. They would like to
provide you with as much RV information as possible.
Happy Camping!!
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What
viewers have to say about the videos:
"Wanted to let you know that I’ve watched all 3 of the videos and will review the
towing one again before I take off. Very well done, I learned what I hoped I
would learn and feel better prepared for the upcoming trip.
How to set up the trailer and handle trailer chores was also useful.
Mike Euritt...California
"Thank you again Mark for your help, you are a wiz at explaining
complicated things. As an owner of three of your videos, I am a very satisfied customer. One of them
was your video on towing a trailer that I bought when I first got my Bantam - I’d never towed anything
in my life and the video gave me the extra confidence I needed to get started!! The other two were travel
trailer 101 and winterizing & storing.
All of the videos have been a great help to me by both explaining the technical aspects of the camper,
as well as just taking the edge off of the fear of the unknown. Just seeing it done with ease, makes me
feel more confident that I can do it too. Also, I don’t know of many business owners these days who will
take the time to explain something to their customers the way you have. I can’t give you enough praise.
P.S. Your products fill a great need. I’ll be sure to tell anyone I know who needs advice to look up
rveducation101.com!
Nancy Cote from Massachusetts....
"Hello to both of you,
Dawn and Mark. My name is Stephen Mason, and I live in
New Jersey. As you both know, when my wife and I went
to pickup our TT, the dealer did a walk through with us.
And I did ask many questions. When we got home with the TT,
I forgot everything that they told me... I had to call the RV
Dealer up a few times, and ask many questions. And I kept getting
a different person for a different question. THEN the Asst. Service
Manager, told me about your RV Education 101 web site. I hurried home
and downloaded the 101 RV Tips E book. Wow, so much good information. Then
I said to my wife, if the E Book is this good, I wonder how good the Tapes
and DVD must be. Well, the next day I contact Dawn and order 3 tapes. When
I received them in 3 days, I had to watch all of them. THEY ARE GREAT and very informative.
I want to take this time out and tell you both that I am happy that we have people like you
both to help people like me who know nothing about anything and now learning a lot from your
tapes. Again, thanks to the both or you.
P.S. I also told the RV dealer that they should order the collection of all your Tapes and
DVD and I will pass your name around also
Steve....
"This is by
far the best investment an inexperienced or
experienced RVer can make. I have been RVing
for eight years and am not afraid to admit
that I thought I knew everything until I watched
the Motor home video. Thanks! J.
WIlson
"I received my copy of the RV video for
travel trailers / 5th wheels and I must say
that it was excellent. It explains everything
I have wondered about in regard to set up
of an RV. I thought Mark Polk was great in
his explanation of all the systems. He may
not be "Hollywood", but he’s a "star"
in my book. Thanks for a fantastic way to
"know in advance what to expect, and
be better prepared" for RV travel. I
can’t wait to get my 5th wheel and hit the
road!" Sue Younkin
I
just
wanted to thank you for the information
on the video. I went ahead and purchased it
for my friend (with a Class B motor home)
for Christmas and she loves it. She said all
of the things in the promo blurb were true.
This, of course, means that I, too, will purchase
one to get a feel for all that is involved
when the times comes." Dana
J.
"Just to let you know I got
my Pop Up 101 video and was so pleased with
the information and quality that went into
it. I bought a new Viking in March and have
not been able to get it out as often as I
had hoped. I had so many questions that were
answered in the video that now I feel more
than comfortable with the techniques I will
be using when using it. Thanks so much, keep
up the good work!" Ed
Garcia
"Every RV owner should own
this video. Sometimes people don’t like calling
the dealer every time they forget how something
works. The motor home video has so much information.
It was well worth the money!"
Nancy and Don Kehoe |
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