Meet Travis Strote | Serial Entrepreneur/ Venture Capitalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Travis Strote and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Travis, what do you attribute your success to?
For me, the most important factor behind my success has always been alignment—between purpose, product, and people. I’ve never been motivated by just making money. I’m driven by creating things that actually make people’s lives better—whether it’s eco-conscious activewear, holistic wellness products, or experiential hospitality ventures that reconnect people with nature.

Each brand I’ve built has been rooted in something deeply personal: a lifestyle I live, a problem I’ve experienced, or a mission I believe in. That level of authenticity resonates. People can feel when something is real and built with heart.

But beyond that, it’s been the willingness to get scrappy, stay curious, and evolve constantly. I’ve worn every hat in my companies—from packing boxes and building Shopify stores to negotiating wholesale contracts and scaling marketing teams. That kind of immersive commitment gives you an edge. You learn fast, pivot faster, and can build teams around you who share that same energy.

And finally, I owe a lot of my success to choosing great people to build with. I believe in empowering others—whether it’s the women in our Kenyan production facility, my co-founders, or the customers who champion our mission. Success is never solo. It’s a shared result of trusting your gut, staying in integrity, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in what you’re building.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Right now, my focus is on building a private fund that invests in experiential, eco-friendly hospitality projects—think micro-resorts and boutique properties in destinations where people are craving meaningful connection, not just a place to sleep. What sets us apart is our philosophy: we don’t just build resorts, we build experiences that reset people’s nervous systems and reconnect them to nature.

I’ve spent the past decade building multiple 7-figure businesses in the wellness and sustainability space, and this fund is a natural extension of that mission. We’re tapping into a global shift—people are burned out by digital overload and are seeking simplicity, adventure, and deeper meaning. Airbnb is oversaturated. Hotels are predictable. We’re offering something radically different: immersive stays designed with purpose, nature, and well-being at the core.

What excites me most is the speed and efficiency of our model. Unlike traditional resorts that take years and millions to build, our properties are designed to be lightweight, scalable, and profitable within months—not years. We operate in international markets with lower overhead and fewer regulatory hurdles, which means our margins are bigger, our risks are lower, and our returns come faster.

But getting here wasn’t easy. I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the years—trusted the wrong partners, scaled too fast, or got caught up in shiny-object distractions. But every failure refined my lens. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that clarity is everything. If you’re not clear on your values, your mission, and your why, you’ll build things that might succeed on paper—but leave you feeling empty. I’ve chosen to build things that fill my cup and generate strong returns.

What I want the world to know is this: progress doesn’t always mean more tech, more hustle, or more square footage. Sometimes, it means going back to the basics—nature, community, presence. My goal as a fund manager is to scale that philosophy into a global network of unforgettable, regenerative spaces that turn travelers into stewards of the earth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m all about experiences that make you feel alive—so this trip wouldn’t be about tourist traps or checklists. It’d be about rhythm, connection, and exploration. Here’s how I’d lay it out:

Day 1 – Arrival + Grounding
Pick them up at the airport, throw on some outlaw country, and head straight to Nosara.
First stop: La Luna for sunset drinks and dinner on the beach—nothing sets the tone better than a watermelon mezcalita and a slow, fire-orange sky melting into the Pacific.
Back home, we light some Come Alive Massage Candles, sip herbal tea, and catch up under the stars.
Day 2 – Surf + Slow Mornings
Sunrise surf at Playa Guiones—warm water, clean waves, and no wetsuits.
Brunch at Harmony Hotel’s Juice Bar—get the coconut pancakes and a green smoothie.
Midday nap or hammock session. Maybe a stop at Organico for snacks and chilled vibes.
Sunset yoga at Bodhi Tree or just a beach walk barefoot in the tide.
Day 3 – Nature + Nerve
Morning hike through the jungle trails around Nosara Biological Reserve.
Zipline through the canopy at Miss Sky—one of the longest in the world.
Evening bonfire at Playa Pelada, cold beers in hand, meeting locals and swapping stories.
Day 4 – Day Trip Adventure
Early departure for a day trip to San Juanillo for snorkeling and a cliffside seafood lunch.
Hit up the secret tide pools if the timing’s right.
On the way back, dinner at Coyol—off-grid, wood-fired everything, tucked into the hills with a view that’ll wreck you in the best way.
Day 5 – Wellness Reset
Book a deep tissue or Ayurvedic massage at The Gilded Iguana Spa.
Afternoon workshop at The Heart of Nosara—breathwork, cacao ceremony, or sound healing depending on the vibe.
Light dinner at Rosi’s Soda—nothing fancy, just authentic Costa Rican food made with love.
Day 6 – Creativity + Community
Visit a local surfboard shaper (maybe even film a few clips of the process for the documentary I’m working on).
Spend the afternoon in town supporting local makers—grab handmade jewelry, natural skincare, or upcycled goods.
Night out at El Local or Olga’s Bar—live music, dancing, and the kind of wild laughter that hurts your face.
Day 7 – Sunrise Sendoff
One final dawn patrol surf, followed by coffee at El Manglar while watching howler monkeys swing by.
Head to the river mouth to float or paddleboard through the mangroves.
Last lunch at Seekretspot (get the wood-fired pizza), then slow drive back to the airport with a full heart and sandy feet.
The People & Vibe
Nosara is full of entrepreneurs, healers, surfers, and wanderers who came for a visit and never left. It’s not just a place—it’s a frequency. If you’re tuned in, you’ll meet some of the most inspiring, grounded, and forward-thinking people anywhere on the planet.

This itinerary isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about real connection. That’s what makes it unforgettable.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One person I have to give a serious shoutout to is Colby McMahon. He’s an absolute force in the real estate and small business world—and what’s even more impressive is that he’s doing it all at just 26 years old.

Colby’s someone I deeply respect, not just because of what he’s accomplished, but how he’s done it. He never followed the traditional path—he didn’t graduate college—but that never slowed him down. Instead, he built his own version of success from the ground up. He owns a cabinet shop, a dental practice, and is making bold moves in the real estate space—all while staying grounded, hungry, and humble.

What I admire most is his ability to see opportunity where others see obstacles. He’s proof that hustle, vision, and relentless execution can take you further than any degree ever could. His story constantly reminds me that there’s no single roadmap to success—you build your own. And Colby’s building something massive.

Having people like him in my circle pushes me to think bigger, move smarter, and never settle.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travisstrote/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisstrote/