How To Run Profitable Retreats

What if the biggest mistake new retreat leaders make has nothing to do with the venue, marketing, or even filling the room?
In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm sharing the five foundations every first-time retreat host needs to build a retreat business that is both transformational and profitable.
Too many incredible coaches, healers, and facilitators create beautiful experiences that change lives... only to discover they barely made any money. The problem isn't passion. It's building a retreat without building the business behind it.
In this episode, you'll discover:
How to position your retreat so it becomes a "must attend" experience instead of a "maybe someday"

A simple pricing formula that helps you stop guessing and start building real profit

How to sell your retreat without feeling pushy, awkward, or salesy

The four business foundations that matter far more than having the perfect venue

If you've been thinking, "It's my turn to host my own retreat," this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to build one that supports both your clients and your business.
💭 FREE LIVE MASTERCLASS
Ready to launch your first sold-out retreat?
Join my free live masterclass where I'll walk you through the exact framework for creating, pricing, and selling your first profitable retreat.
Save your seat here:
https://theretreatplanner.com/launch-retreat-masterclass-page 
🎧 Thanks for listening to How to Run Profitable Retreats. I'll see you in the next episode.
 
Plan a Profitable Retreat
Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/call 

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Masterclass → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

What does it really take to write a book that positions you as the authority, not just another story on a shelf?
In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, Leni Cavazos sits down with Tina Kapp-Kailea, international best-selling author, publisher, embodiment coach, and TEDx speaker, to unpack the truth about authorship in today's AI-driven world.
This conversation goes far beyond "write your book in 90 days." Instead, it explores what most people don't talk about: the emotional weight of writing your story, the responsibility you hold as a leader, and the difference between sharing for connection vs. oversharing without transformation.
If you're a coach, retreat leader, or expert looking to grow your visibility, build trust, and attract aligned clients, this episode will shift how you think about writing a book.
▪️ Why publishing a book is one of the fastest ways to build authority in 2026
▪️ The difference between a memoir and a strategic authority-building book
▪️ How to tell your story without turning your audience into your therapist
▪️ Why "pain, pain, pain" storytelling repels instead of converts
▪️ The hidden emotional work behind writing—and why most people avoid it
▪️ How to use AI with integrity without losing your voice
▪️ What actually makes a book sell your retreats, services, and offers
Tina also shares her journey through burnout, healing, and rediscovering purpose, and how that experience shaped her unique approach to helping women write powerful, truthful, and strategically positioned books.
Because in a world where content is everywhere, your voice, your story, and your perspective are your greatest assets.
And when done right, a book doesn't just tell your story… it becomes your most powerful business tool. 🖤
 
Connect with today's guest, Tina Kapp-Kailea:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinakkailea
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinakkailea
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_femmepreneur
Pinterest: https://nz.pinterest.com/the_femmepreneur
 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it, tag us, and leave a rating 🎧💬
Plan a Profitable Retreat
Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

What if hosting a retreat wasn't just about the experience, but about expanding your impact, deepening client relationships, and building a more profitable business model?
In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Amanda Hietter, CEO of Across the Horizon Travel and creator of Heat Up Your Retreats. Amanda supports coaches, pastors, and business leaders in designing transformational travel experiences, and in this conversation, we break down what most people get wrong when planning their first retreat.
We talk about why retreats are such a powerful tool for growth, how to approach the planning process strategically (instead of emotionally), and what you actually need to validate before you invest time and money into your event.
Amanda also shares her journey from paralegal to travel expert, and how she now acts as the "right-hand woman" for retreat leaders, handling logistics, contracts, and details so you can focus on what truly matters: filling your retreat and leading a powerful experience.
Inside this episode, we cover:
▪️ Why your retreat should start with your why, not the destination
▪️ The biggest mistake retreat leaders make (and how it delays sales)
▪️ 3 essential questions to ask before hiring a travel agent
▪️ How to create momentum, demand, and a "snowball effect" for future retreats
If you've been thinking about hosting a retreat, or you're already planning one, this episode will help you make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and focus on what actually drives results.
💭 Connect with Amanda Hietter:
http://www.acrossthehorizontravel.com
Instagram: @amandahietter
🎧 Grab her Top 7 Retreat Travel Tips:
https://acrossthehorizontravel.com/travel-tips
🖤 If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who's ready to host their first (or next) retreat and don't forget to leave a rating and review.
🎧 Listen now and start building retreats that don't just look good—but actually sell.
 
Plan a Profitable Retreat
Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

Most retreat leaders say they want to "give back."
But what if the way you're doing it… is actually hurting your business?

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm joined by Lori McDowell, transformational strategist, retreat curator, and author of The Re-Invention Mindset, to break down a powerful (and often misunderstood) concept in the retreat space:
You cannot give from a business that isn't profitable.

Together, we unpack:
▪️ Why discounting your retreat is NOT the same as giving back
▪️ The hidden cost of underpricing (for both you and your clients)
▪️ Why guests will often pay MORE for experiences that create real impact
▪️ The mindset shift from "my business is a charity" → "my business funds impact"

Lori shares real examples, from corporate retreats building bicycles for children's homes to immersive give-back experiences that deepen connection, purpose, and transformation.

We also explore the psychology behind giving, decision-making, and why profitable retreats create a bigger ripple effect in the world.

If you've ever struggled with pricing, felt guilty charging more, or wondered how to align purpose with profit, this episode will challenge the way you think about your business.

And honestly… it might change how you design your retreats forever.
🌐 Connect with Lori:
https://yourextraordinarylife.net
Instagram & Facebook: @lori.mcdowell.5
🎟️ Want to Go Deeper?
Lori is also one of our featured workshop leaders at the Sellout Retreat Summit in Mexico, where we'll be taking these concepts even further.
If you're ready to design retreats that are both profitable and impactful, this is where it happens:
⬛️ Learn more: https://reimagineu.thrivecart.com/retreats-done-right/
💬 Loved This Episode?
If this conversation shifted your perspective, share it with someone who needs to hear it 🖤
And don't forget to leave a rating + review, it helps more retreat leaders build businesses that actually work.
 
Plan a Profitable Retreat
Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

What does it really take to lead a retreat, especially when you're still questioning your own voice?
In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, Leni Cavazos sits down with Amy Leffler, life and business coach, retreat facilitator, and co-founder of Be Well Ladies Retreats, to explore the internal shift that every retreat leader must make before anything else works.
With over 20 years of experience in human resources and organizational leadership, Amy shares what it looked like to be successful on paper… while still feeling like she didn't belong in the room. From corporate boardrooms to retreat spaces, this conversation dives into the real work behind stepping into leadership: self-worth, visibility, and the courage to be seen.
This episode is part of our speaker series for the Sellout Retreat Summit, and Amy's story is a powerful reminder that building a retreat business doesn't start with logistics, it starts with identity.
Inside this episode, we explore:
▪️ Why confidence and self-worth are foundational to retreat leadership
▪️ The connection between visibility and attracting the right retreat clients
▪️ How showing up online shapes trust before your retreat even begins
▪️ The truth about building a retreat business while still working a corporate job
▪️ Why success in retreats is built through consistency, not overnight wins
▪️ How one decision to "be seen" can open unexpected opportunities
Amy also shares her personal turning point after attending the Sellout Retreat Summit, and how choosing visibility completely changed the trajectory of her business.
If you've been holding back, waiting to feel "ready," or wondering if you have what it takes to lead a retreat… this episode will challenge that narrative. ❕
Because your retreat doesn't start when you arrive at the venue, it starts the moment you decide to lead. 🖤
🎧 Listen now and step into the version of you your future clients are already looking for.
Connect with today's guest:
Amy Leffler
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSuJVHfK4/?mibextid=wwXIfr
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who's ready to step into their next level of leadership, and don't forget to leave a rating and review. 🎧💬
 
Plan a Profitable Retreat
Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner