DOWNLOAD ATTACHED IMAGE FOR A HANDY AND PRINTABLE CHECKLIST INFOGRAPHIC (ONE PAGE, SINGLE SIDE)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 2, 2026
An illustrated, printable guide distills lessons from Tyrrell's retreat projects into five big-picture planning checks and five daily operating checks.
NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville-based entrepreneur and multi-state corporate retreat developer/operator Ryan Tyrrell today released a free, illustrated 10-point checklist for aspiring retreat operators. The guide distills lessons from his experience developing retreat properties into five big-picture decisions and five checks for the daily work of delivering the guest experience.
Following the success of his first retreat property, Tyrrell expanded with two additional projects this year. The checklist is aimed at operators who, as Tyrrell did early in his journey, may focus on the dream before fully accounting for the work behind it — from development costs and infrastructure to staffing, food safety and the laundry room.
Tyrrell's insights and advice are summarized in a handy one-page infographic checklist free to download at RyanTyrrellNashville.com. Also there: Tyrrell's two-part column that expounds on the thinking behind checklist, as well as the strategies and experiences behind the 10 imperatives ultimately chosen.
"At the end of the day, these are the 10 things I think aspiring retreat operators should be thinking about early and often, so I wanted to provide it in a summarized, utilitarian format that future retreat developers and operators can readily print and post near their desks," Tyrrell said. "If any of these boxes aren't checked, you're not ready to open."
The big-picture checks address property fit, development costs and permissions, letting a place shape the plan, building authentic experiences and planning the full guest stay, including accessibility and emergencies. The daily operating checks cover kitchen readiness, laundry capacity, training and listening to staff, using guest feedback to improve operations and marketing, and setting shared goals.
“Early in my own journey, I focused on the dream: the setting, the guest experience and what visitors would remember. Those things matter. So does the laundry room,” Tyrrell said. “I want other operators to test the vision against the work required to deliver it before opening day.”
The checklist accompanies a two-part column on retreat planning and operations. Part I, “Don’t be a ‘cringy’ fisherman: A checklist for aspiring retreat operators, Part I,” is live on Tyrrell’s website. The free infographic and printer-friendly one-pager are available now on his Insights page. Part II, focused on daily operations, is scheduled to appear there Tuesday, Nov. 3.
“Decades ago, I had the honor of hearing former Tractor Supply Co. CEO Jim Wright speak about the inverted pyramid: the people closest to customers are the most important people in the business," Tyrrell said. "That idea has shaped my management style. Whether at a car wash, in a sports app or hosting a corporate retreat, I ask: 'What are people here to experience, and what has to work behind the scenes to make that happen?'”
The infographic closes with a reminder: “The staff closest to your guests matter most. Treat them like it.”
