The ROI of Relationships: Lessons From the REtipster Inner Circle in Jackson Hole

I just got back late Friday night from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where we held the REtipster Inner Circle retreat. And wow…what a week.

(Note--- those of you who saw the FB post--- this is longer form and has more meat and is still worth a read)

To be honest, when I came out of the Land Unconference about a month and a half ago, I was tired. Worn out. Spent. I told myself, “I just have to push through and finish the process.” But as the days got closer to Jackson Hole, my energy started to rise again. By the time I boarded the plane, I was buzzing with anticipation.

And it was worth it.

The Power of the Room

One of the things I’ve learned time and time again in event like these is that the people in the room make the event. Of course, my buddy

@Seth Williams

was there as we published it under his brand. I am so grateful for his trust in allowing me to put this together and associate it with him This trip brought together an incredible mix:

Old friends like Denise,
@Bob Scott
,
@Xing Gao
, and
@Brian Wied
.
New faces like
@Jonathan Newth
(welcome to the community, brother), Neil Clements (Seth’s new podcast partner), Mitch Klein, Abi and Erika from Gokce Capital (whose YouTube channel I’ve followed for years), and Jim Kramer from South Carolina.

Between all of us, there was easily 1,000–1,500 land deals a year represented, with businesses ranging from $500K to $7M in revenue. Some focus on small flips, some on subdivides, others on entitlements or messy title work. Some are even moving toward vertical development. It was a diverse room, and the expertise was incredible.

The Adventures

We didn’t just sit in a room. We lived together for a week.

We fished.
We went on a wildlife safari.
We took a gondola up 10,000 feet and hiked the ridge.
We stargazed under the Milky Way, seeing millions of stars and the bands of light stretching across the sky.
And we did my favorite moment of all: a sunrise hike at Jenny Lake.

At 5:40 a.m., we drove out into the pitch black, bear spray in hand, a little nervous about the wildlife lurking in the dark. As the first blues of dawn appeared, we hiked along the water, talking about land, life, goals, and family.

Then, almost suddenly, the colors shifted. Pinks, yellows, and golds lit up the trees and mountains. The lapping of the lake. The crisp air. The stillness. Magical is the only word for it.

It filled me up. It was rejuvenating, life-giving, unforgettable.

The Breakthroughs

Of course, it wasn’t just about the adventures. We hot seated, masterminded, and worked on our businesses.

I’ll never forget Drew laying out his team and realizing, with the group’s help, that he desperately needed a transaction coordinator. That was a lightbulb moment for him.
We laughed together — like when the group next door was holding what sounded like a dramatic religious testimony, complete with wails and howls that kept interrupting us until we were all doubled over in laughter.
We shared meals, stories, and drinks — like at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where Bob and Jon each bought a round for the whole group.

These are the kinds of moments that build trust and friendship. Five or six days together creates a depth of relationship that just isn’t possible in a two- or three-day conference. By the end, I didn’t just know what people did in their businesses — I knew their families, their dogs, their struggles, their wins.

My Own Hot Seat

Even as a leader, I got in the hot seat. I shared how we run daily standups at GFP, and people were scribbling notes furiously. I talked about the contests we’ve run recently and how they’ve shaped our culture. And I got gold in return — nuggets about subdivides, entitlements, and splits that I’ll be putting into practice as we push our company from $3M to $6M and beyond in the coming years.

These weren’t theoretical talks from a stage. They were direct, specific, actionable.

Why This Matters

And this is where I need to be honest: there are plenty of real estate events out there that are cheaper. You can pay $500 or $1,000, sit in a ballroom, and listen to speakers. Maybe you’ll walk away with one or two nuggets. But you also know how those events end — with a pitch. A course. A $50,000 coaching program.

That’s not what we do.

Our gatherings are land investors helping land investors. No pitches. No hard sell. Just relationships, breakthroughs, and heart-to-heart conversations. Yes, it costs more, but the ROI is exponentially higher — in deals closed, partnerships formed, friendships deepened, and even the direct bottom-line impact on your business.

The Invitation

If you’re reading this and you’re tired of the pitch-fests…if you want to go deep, to connect, to be seen and known and sharpened as a land investor and as a person…then you need to come to the next event.

That’s what the Land Unconference is all about. Apply today at www.landunconference.com.

I’m so grateful to Seth and everyone who came to Jackson Hole. My heart is full, and my vision is sharper because of it. I hope you’ll join us for the next one.

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