Meet Elle White

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elle White a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elle, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I think we often circle back to moments from our childhood later in life, when everything comes full circle and we realize we’ve known much more all along—especially when it comes to our passions. Somewhere along the way, we’re taught that we have to fit into certain boxes to be recognized, to be successful, or to be happy. But I believe the true measure of success is something we each arrive at in our own time, after our perceived failures and victories clarify what we genuinely want.

I found my purpose when I remembered who I was before I tried to fit myself into every imaginable box—and realized I belonged in none of them! That clarity came very viscerally for me: galloping up a mountainside on horseback in San Agustín, Colombia, hair flying in the wind, while viewing a property that would later become an investment and a vision. In that moment, I knew.

The moments that make me feel most free, alive, and connected are the moments I live for—and the moments I want to create for others. Giving people access to that feeling, through land, hospitality, and shared experience, is my purpose and my calling.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My current work is the culmination of a lifetime of experiences in the wellness space after owning a fitness company for 12 years and teaching yoga, real estate and hospitality—successes, perceived failures, and seasons of reinvention—that ultimately led me to what has become both my passion and what I hope will one day be my legacy. I was raised on a farm in Kansas and I never imagined I would now be having such a full-circle experience! Coming back to the land, roots, and simple values has been such a healthy “return” for me and I am so excited to share this with others.

At the center of this chapter is Heart of Colombia, an eco-luxury retreat center and boutique hotel in development on a 60-acre coffee farm in San Agustín, Colombia. The project blends my background in real estate, hospitality, and wellness with a deep respect for land stewardship and intentional community. Following renovations planned for Spring 2026, guests will be able to experience Colombian hospitality through immersive retreats or hotel stays that include eco-tourism excursions and on-site experiences such as waterfall hikes, horseback riding, harvesting and roasting coffee beans, and river spa experiences.

Interestingly, this international opportunity emerged through my work as a luxury real estate agent in the Tampa Bay and beach areas. While marketing condo-hotel units for the upcoming Beachmaker Hotel on Madeira Beach—opening in Spring 2025—I received what initially appeared to be a standard real estate lead that ultimately opened the door to Heart of Colombia. It reinforced my belief that aligned opportunities often arrive through unexpected channels.

Alongside this international venture, I also founded Soul Return Retreats, the Tampa-area extension of my retreat work. Beginning January 17–19, 2026, I will be launching bi-monthly local retreats for women designed to foster genuine connection, restoration, and inspiration. These weekends go beyond a typical getaway—they are immersive experiences where women come together to reset, reconnect, and leave feeling more grounded and empowered.

I personally facilitate these retreats alongside a talented team of local holistic practitioners, curating weekends that include nourishing meals, movement, yoga, spa offerings, ceremony, and moments of play and laughter in some of the most beautiful coastal locations in the area.

Across all of my work, my focus is the same: creating intentional, elevated experiences that feel deeply human. Whether someone is investing, traveling, or taking a weekend to reconnect with themselves, my goal is to help people come home better—not just rested, but renewed and inspired.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three things have had the greatest impact on my journey: self-trust, resilience through uncertainty, and relationship intelligence.

1. Self-trust.
Learning to trust my inner compass—especially when it didn’t align with the “safe” or expected path—has been foundational. That trust guided me into real estate and later into building Heart of Colombia and Soul Return Retreats. Many of my most meaningful opportunities began before I had certainty or external validation.

Advice: Start building self-trust early. Make aligned decisions, even small ones, and follow through on them. Consistency in honoring your intuition builds confidence and clarity over time.

2. The ability to navigate uncertainty.
Every phase of growth has required me to move through discomfort, ambiguity, and periods of reinvention. Whether launching new ventures or entering unfamiliar territory, staying grounded and adaptable—rather than reactive—has been critical.

Advice: Don’t mistake discomfort for failure. Learn to stay present, assess thoughtfully, and keep moving forward even when the outcome isn’t fully defined.

3. Relationship intelligence and timing.
Nearly every opportunity in my career has come through relationships. Understanding how to communicate clearly, lead with integrity, and respect timing has been just as important as technical skill or strategy.

Advice: Focus on building trust, not just outcomes. Strong relationships, cultivated over time, create sustainable growth and open doors no strategy alone can.

At its core, my journey has shown me that long-term success is built through alignment, patience, and intentional leadership—not speed. When those pieces are in place, the work becomes both impactful and enduring.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely. I’m always open to meaningful connection and aligned collaboration. At this stage, I’m especially interested in connecting with investors, holistic practitioners, and professionals in the event, hospitality, and travel spaces who share a values-driven approach to their work.

I believe the most impactful projects are built through relationships—when the right people come together with shared vision, integrity, and respect for timing. Whether someone is interested in investment opportunities, facilitating experiences, or exploring creative partnerships, I’m always open to conversation.

The best way to connect with me is via email at [email protected] or on Instagram at @ellesellssunshine and @heartofcolombia.

Contact Info:

• Website: soulreturnretreats.com, heartofcolombia.co
• Instagram: @ellesellssunshine, @heartofcolombia
• Facebook: @heartofcolombia