“I Get Paid to Have Adventures”: Building a Business Around Your Passions

The Big Picture on How To Build A Business Around Your Passion:

• • Sarah Weaver turned her love of travel and real estate into a business by solving a real problem: helping introverted investors network meaningfully through small, immersive retreats.

  • Investor Adventures proves that shared experiences—like hiking Kilimanjaro or cruising Antarctica—build far stronger and more valuable business relationships than traditional conferences ever could.

  • Sarah’s journey underscores that a passion-based business doesn’t need to start big. By aligning with her strengths and offering unique, high-value experiences, she grew an inspiring and profitable brand.

When people talk about building a business, it often sounds like an exhausting, 15-hour workday grind. The stress, the hustle, the constant feeling of being drained—it’s no surprise that many entrepreneurs find themselves overwhelmed. But it doesn’t have to be that way. What if building a business could be fun, fulfilling, and even adventurous?

In today’s episode, we speak with Sarah Weaver, a full-time investor and entrepreneur, who has found a way to combine her passion for travel with her love for real estate. Sarah is the founder of Investor Adventures, a mastermind retreat business that offers real estate investors the chance to learn, network, and grow—all while exploring exciting destinations around the world.

From Real Estate Investor to Adventure Entrepreneur

Sarah’s journey into the world of real estate started with a simple mission: buying rental properties remotely in the Midwest. 

She often refers to her investments as “dinky duplexes”—modest but solid properties that allow her to live a fulfilling, exciting life without being tied down by the conventional trappings of city living. By purchasing properties in smaller, more affordable markets, Sarah was able to generate passive income and free up her time to explore new opportunities.

But Sarah’s story doesn’t end with just real estate. As she shared her journey online through blogs and social media, she noticed a shift. Her followers were more interested in her lifestyle and travel experiences than just her real estate tips. This sparked an idea: What if she could combine real estate investing with adventure travel?

“I was getting messages from people asking about travel, not just real estate,” Sarah recalls. “But as an entrepreneur, I wasn’t interested in becoming a ‘points guy’ or starting a course on credit card hacking. It just didn’t excite me.”

Instead, Sarah looked at her strengths and passions and realized that real estate investors, many of whom are introverts, often thrive in smaller, more intimate settings. She thought, what if she could create a mastermind experience that mixed real estate knowledge with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? That’s when Investor Adventures was born.

What Is Investor Adventures?

Investor Adventures is a unique business model that combines networking, mastermind retreats, and travel. Rather than hosting a typical conference in a hotel ballroom, Sarah organizes adventure-filled retreats in stunning destinations like Japan, Antarctica, and Patagonia. These are not just vacations—they are opportunities for real estate investors to bond, share knowledge, and make meaningful business connections in a relaxed and inspiring environment.

“Instead of networking in a crowded hotel lobby or stuffy conference room, imagine hiking a mountain with other investors, or sharing a meal with someone who just closed a big deal,” Sarah explains. “These experiences foster deep, genuine connections that last long after the trip ends.”

The mastermind retreats are carefully curated to combine business development with adventure. While on these trips, participants learn from each other, explore new investment strategies, and push their boundaries—both personally and professionally. After all, there’s no better way to build a business than by surrounding yourself with like-minded, motivated individuals who share your vision.

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The Power of Adventure for Networking

What sets Investor Adventures apart from other business retreats is the unique setting. Instead of sitting in a conference room, attendees engage in activities that create meaningful shared experiences. Whether it’s hiking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, cruising to Antarctica, or enjoying a food tour through Japan, these experiences lead to lasting memories—and valuable business relationships.

“For me, what’s important is the shared experience,” Sarah says. “When you spend 10 days together in an incredible place, the relationships formed are not just transactional. They’re real friendships. And that’s what makes the business connections so valuable.”

One of the biggest benefits of these retreats is the opportunity for post-trip support. 

“Imagine you’ve hiked Kilimanjaro and now you’re going back to work on a new real estate deal. You can pick up the phone and call someone you met on that trip—someone who’s done the same things you’ve done and understands the challenges you’re facing,” Sarah adds. “It’s a whole different level of support.”

The Cost of Adventure: A Business Investment

Of course, any great experience comes with a price tag. But Sarah makes a compelling case for why these trips are a smart business investment.

“The cost of these retreats ranges from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the destination,” she says. “Some trips, like the Japan food tour, are around $9,000. And for the Antarctica cruise, clients have paid up to $25,000. But here’s the thing—these aren’t just vacations. These are business trips, and the experiences you gain from them lead directly to business growth.”

Not only do these trips provide networking opportunities, but they also offer business-related perks. Sarah notes that many attendees come home with new clients, new deals, or even private investors—business benefits that quickly outweigh the costs of the trip. For real estate investors, this is a chance to gain knowledge, make connections, and get inspired to take action in ways they wouldn’t have at a traditional conference.

Tips for Building a Passion-Based Business

For entrepreneurs considering turning their passion into a business, Sarah offers a few key tips:

1. Solve a problem: Sarah’s business was born out of a common problem—introverted entrepreneurs struggling to network at large conferences. By creating smaller, more intimate settings, Sarah solved that problem and tapped into a real need.

2. Identify your strengths: Sarah recognized her passion for real estate and travel and combined them to create a business that felt true to who she was. If you’re building a business around your passion, make sure it aligns with your strengths and interests.

3. Start small: Don’t try to do everything at once. Sarah began by sharing her experiences online and slowly building a following before launching her mastermind retreats. Take the time to test your ideas and refine them as you grow.

4. Focus on the experience: When building a passion-driven business, think about the experience you’re providing to your customers. Whether it’s a physical product or a service, creating a memorable experience can set you apart from your competitors.

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Final Thoughts: The Future of Passion-Based Businesses

Sarah’s story is a perfect example of how combining passion with business can lead to success and fulfillment. By building a business around real estate, travel, and adventure, she’s created something that not only fuels her love for exploration but also helps others grow their businesses in meaningful ways.

As more people look for ways to build businesses that align with their passions, Sarah’s approach offers a roadmap to creating something both profitable and personally rewarding. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion into a business, Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s possible—and the journey can be just as rewarding as the destination.