Hidden Gems: Meet Hollis Carter of Baby Bathwater Institute

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hollis Carter.

Hi Hollis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve basically been an entrepreneur my whole life. I started a landscaping business when I was twelve, mostly so I could buy a truck long before I was even old enough to drive it. That early taste of independence made something click — I loved building things, solving problems, and creating my own lane.

I was never the best student — I have dyslexia and what I jokingly call “entrepreneurial ADD.” But that forced me to figure things out in unconventional ways. I learned early that my strength wasn’t memorizing facts; it was connecting people and seeing possibilities.

Over the years, I’ve built a handful of ventures across publishing, software, events, real estate, and private membership communities. Some were great, some fell apart, all of them taught me something important.

The big turning point was co-founding Baby Bathwater Institute — a community and series of live events for founders and entrepreneurs. We didn’t set out to build a “network.” We wanted to manufacture the kind of serendipity people were always hoping for. Our goal was simple: bring great peers together in amazing places and let the right conversations happen naturally.

Now, over a decade later, I still get to do that for a living. We take over hotels, islands, and mountain towns, turn them into these magical spaces, and watch friendships, collaborations, and companies grow from that atmosphere.
It’s not about scale — it’s about soul. And that’s the lane I’m happy to stay in.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nope — it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

Early on, I thought “entrepreneurship” meant doing everything myself and running at full speed 24/7. That worked… until it didn’t. I hit burnout hard — the kind that forces you to completely reevaluate how you’re wired.

The peaks, the dips, the unpredictability. It’s easy to get overly attached to the highs or overly discouraged by the lows. I had to learn to stay grounded and actually enjoy the process instead of obsessing over outcomes. Accepting that this path is messy, and that’s part of why it works.

Another challenge was figuring out how to build something meaningful without compromising culture. When you run events or communities, it’s tempting to say yes to everyone — but I learned the hard way that protecting the vibe matters more than growth metrics.

And honestly, dealing with dyslexia has been both a challenge and a gift. It made traditional learning tough, but it also forced me to think creatively, lean into storytelling, and communicate visually — all of which shaped how I build things today.

So yeah, plenty of bumps. But I wouldn’t trade them. Every failure and misstep has added depth and humility to what I do now.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Baby Bathwater Institute?
Baby Bathwater Institute (BBI) is a private, invite-only membership community for growth-stage entrepreneurs, operators, and founders. In business for over 10 years, BBI has a strong track record of curating thoughtful, high-integrity experiences for a highly vetted member base. 80+ events hosted across 20+ global locations (Croatia, Cabo, U.S., etc.). 240+ nights of programming, 800+ meals served. 250+ active members

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The Narrow Road — Felix Dennis

The Creative Act: A Way of Being — Rick Rubin

Pretty much anything by Jim Rohn or Alan Watts

Pricing:

• Baby Bathwater Institute Membership: $12,500 annually. Private, curated annual community for founders and creators.
• Live Events: $12,500 for non members and $6,250 for members. Multi-day immersive gatherings hosted in boutique hotels, mountain lodges, and private islands. (We focus on fit and shared values first — not just ticket sales.)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://babybathwater.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollisc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holliscarter
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hollis-carter-9103195
• Twitter: https://x.com/holliscarterx