Story & Lesson Highlights with Kendall Inman of Tulum Mexico

Kendall Inman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Kendall, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Without question, integrity.

I’ve worked with brilliant people and high-energy people — and both qualities can be valuable — but without integrity, they’re unstable forces. Intelligence without ethics can be manipulative. Energy without grounding can be reckless.

Integrity is what everything else has to be built on. It’s not just about being honest — it’s about doing the right thing even when no one’s watching. It’s about being able to trust yourself, and being someone others can trust with their time, investment, or vision.

At this stage in my life and work, I only want to align with people who are clear, direct, and committed to doing things the right way — especially when it’s the harder way. That’s where the real value is.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kendall, and I recently sold Jungle Keva, a boutique hotel that I designed, developed, and operated in Tulum, Mexico. What started as a deeply personal creative vision grew into an award-winning destination, and that journey taught me everything — not just about hospitality, but about trust, resilience, and staying grounded in integrity.

Since selling the property, I’ve naturally found myself stepping into a new role — helping others navigate the often messy and emotional process of buying or selling hospitality properties. I didn’t set out to become a broker or advisor, but word got around, and now I’m supporting people who are doing what I’ve done — and doing it in a way that feels right.

Right now, I’m working with two individuals — one selling a hotel, another buying one — and both have reminded me why I care so much about this work. They’ve told me how seen, supported, and protected they feel, which honestly means everything to me. I’m simply treating them the way I wish I’d been treated — with transparency, clarity, and respect.

I don’t have a formal real estate brand or business yet, but what I bring is lived experience, discernment, and a very personal standard of care. I only work with people I believe in, and I’m committed to helping them move forward in a way that feels clean, aligned, and grounded.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think the part of me that believed I had to constantly give — to show up, to fix things, to overextend — even when no one asked, even when it cost me something — has finally run its course.

For a long time, I think I confused that kind of giving with love, or maybe validation. I thought if I kept showing up for everyone else, maybe it would fill something in me too. But I’m realizing now: I don’t need to earn my worth by over-giving. I don’t need to prove anything.

What’s most important now is showing up for myself — doing what feels aligned, honest, and healthy. That doesn’t mean I’m not here to serve or support others — I still want to leave the world better than I found it — but I’m learning to do it without self-abandonment. I’m learning to give from a place of fullness, not depletion. That’s the shift.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been plenty of moments where I felt overwhelmed — exhausted, frustrated, unsure of how I was going to keep going. But the truth is, giving up has never really been an option for me.

I may have felt like giving up at times, but I’ve never truly gotten close to it. I think it’s because I’m a strategist at heart — I naturally shift into problem-solving mode. Even when things have felt impossible, something in me always kicks in and says, “Okay, what’s the move? What can be done?”

So no, I’ve never truly been on the edge of giving up — not because things were easy, but because I’ve always been wired to find a way through.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people overlook the simple things. They get caught up in complexity, in trying to outthink or overengineer everything. But in my experience, it’s the small details that actually matter most—the way you treat people, the clarity of your word, the consistency in how you show up.

People chase big ideas and grand strategies, but they forget that it’s usually the simplest, most human elements that make the biggest difference. That’s where I see a lot of smart people missing the mark.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I love praise—who doesn’t? I love being acknowledged when I’ve done something well. But that’s never been why I give my best.

Doing things with integrity, with full effort, has always been a core value of mine. I don’t believe in half-assing anything—if I can’t do it right, if I can’t give it my full attention and care, I’d rather not do it at all.

So yes, even without praise, I’d still show up the same way. Because for me, it’s not about the recognition. It’s about knowing I did it the right way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @junglekevatulum @kendallyoga