Turning Passion Into a Purpose-Driven Business with Paul Whitten

Ever wondered how your life experiences, even the unexpected detours, can lead you straight to the business you were meant to build? Or how passion, when paired with service and values, can create both impact and income? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with the dynamic and insightful Paul Whitten, Founder of Nashville Adventures, to explore exactly that.

Paul shares his journey from military service to global experiences in the Peace Corps, corporate life at Amazon, and ultimately entrepreneurship. Along the way, every chapter, success, mistake, and lesson became preparation for the business he leads today. What started as free weekend tours fueled by a love of history, storytelling, and people quickly evolved into one of Nashville’s most engaging tour companies.

Together, we talk about why passion is the true foundation of sustainable success, how a “soft launch” can provide clarity and confidence before making the leap, and why mistakes often become the greatest teachers on the path to purpose. Paul also shares powerful insights on building company culture through clear core values, hiring for passion and coachability, and creating experiences that truly connect people to place and story.

We dive into Paul’s belief that history deserves a stage, not a script, and how experiential storytelling creates meaningful, memorable moments for guests. As a veteran-founded business, Nashville Adventures also gives back, donating a portion of revenue to veteran-focused nonprofits and creating opportunities for others to rise.

This episode is packed with wisdom for entrepreneurs, creatives, veterans, and anyone exploring how to turn what they love into a business that serves others and creates real impact. If you are searching for clarity, courage, and proof that passion truly pays, this conversation delivers inspiration and practical insight every step of the way.

Paul Whitten’s Bio:

Paul Whitten is a Nashville historian, military veteran, and the Founder of Nashville Adventures, a tour company dedicated to bringing Music City’s history to life through immersive, unscripted storytelling.

Paul’s journey spans service in Afghanistan, three years in the Peace Corps in Armenia, and time as a UK Parliamentary Fellow walking the halls of Westminster. After an injury during deployment, he discovered his love of history while volunteering as a tour guide at Fort Knox, an experience that planted the seed for his future business.

Today, Nashville Adventures offers history tours, pub crawls, ghost tours, corporate events, and private experiences led by passionate guides who focus on connection over memorization. Paul’s company has been featured in USA Today, The Tennessean, Channel 2 News, and Channel 5 News, and has earned recognition from the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation.

Grounded in strong core values, Paul believes opportunity is part preparation, part courage, and part community. Through his work, he is committed to creating opportunities for others, especially veterans, while building a company that gives back and leaves a lasting impact.

Connect with Paul:
Website: https://www.nashvilleadventures.com/
Email: paul@nashvilleadventures.com
Instagram:   / the_nashville_adventures  
LinkedIn:   / nashville-adventures  
Facebook:   / nashvilleadventures  
TikTok:   / nashvilleadventures  

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website https://luannb.com/ and connect with me on Instagram:   / buechlerluann   and Facebook:   / luannbuechlercoach   !

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!