Accumulatively it has been over 10 years of hosting retreats for me. From corporate retreats to personal wellness to couples retreats. I can remember my very first retreat I did without the corporate backing or partner influence and let me tell you- it was scary as sh&t. And then it was awesome.
Not all of my retreats have been awesome. I mean, for me, not for the guests (I am so biased but my main goal for each retreat is for it to be awesome for each guest and I’d say that happens almost 100% of the time). Not all of my retreats have been profitable and not all of them had nice people at them either (yikes). Yet each time it wasn’t ‘awesome’ for me, I learned so much.
Truthfully I grow from EACH RETREAT. Each and every experience has taught me something extremely valuable. Whether it was a new way to run my business, a new idea for streamlining something, a new fun creative twist or just something inside me expands- I grow and I learn.
The thing is, when you are first starting, there is SO much to learn. And although I am grateful for each stumbling block, each
financial loss (yep, even that)- I would rather of had a little bit of help (or a lot). I would have loved to have had a mentor to ask questions or opinions of. I would have loved to know how to better manage or plan, budget wise. I would have loved to know what forms should be used and are required.
About 4 years ago I started helping other heart forward individuals launch their own retreats. And through that process I learned even more (go figure!) and saw how having a step by step guide or system to help one launch their own retreat would be really powerful. Something that had tools, templates and all the info needed to get a retreat launched within 30 days.
Which is when The Retreat Leader Academy was born.
Here is the thing: could you do it on your own? Yes. And that would be awesome. Will it cost you money and headaches and take longer to be profitable? Probably. If you want to launch a profitable AND transformational retreat right from the gate- you will need help.
Maybe you are even someone who has tried it already and didn’t get the response you wanted. The Retreat Leader Academy is still perfect for you. It is designed so that you can pick up from any of the four modules:
- getting clear on who your ideal guest is
- getting clear on what your theme/vibe is (what will your guests learn/achieve?)
- defining details (who, what, where, when & how)
- budget management tools
- staffing options & execution
- waivers/insurance/policies/business details
- website build out (systems/graphics/etc)
- registration systems
Module 2: Promote
- marketing strategies that work using;
- social media
- blogs
- podcasts
- publications
- partners
- live online events
- grass roots marketing efforts
- the small sh&t matters
- creating a flow with the vibe you desire
- what happens when things go differently
- holding space for strangers to connect (and you to connect to strangers)
- creating community & flow
- up-selling (deepening the relationship with your guests)
- gain testimonials (video/written)
- pictures & videos- tips to make this happen
- surveys for feedback
- using testimonials
- how to continue the relationship
- best practices
- pitfalls to avoid
And one of the best parts? The bonus section! Which is packed full of templates like a budget planning & reconciliation sheet, waivers, sample agendas, contracts, marketing checklist, & more!
I have been asked before, “Why would you teach others how to host retreats? Aren’t you afraid it will take away from your business?”
No. No I am not. I believe in abundance. I also believe that the more transformational retreats available in the world the better. And not to mention my voice sounds different than a fellow retreat leader’s voice and vice versa- and I am totally ok if someone resonates better with another voice than mine (or, again, vice versa).
Holding space for others is amazing. It is energetic as well as physical work- but it is amazing. I want others to be able to share their gifts, their messages, their love in this intimate and powerful setting.
If that is something you have always wanted to do, then check out The Retreat Leader Academy. The doors to this academy are only open for another week. Maybe this is your sign.
