"I Want to Run a Retreat, But I Have No Idea Where to Start."
Here’s What I Wish I Knew.
I hear this all the time: “I want to run a retreat, but I have no idea where to start.”
I get it. When I first dreamed of leading my own retreat, I felt the same way—overwhelmed by logistics, unsure if people would actually sign up, and constantly second-guessing if I was "qualified" to do this.
But here’s the truth: The first step to running a retreat isn’t picking the perfect location or having all the details figured out. The first step is believing that you can.
That belief, combined with collaboration, was what made my first retreat possible.
Looking back, here’s how I started—and what I wish I knew sooner.
Step 1: I Stopped Trying to Do It Alone
At first, I thought I had to figure everything out by myself. I assumed I needed to personally handle every detail—finding the venue, planning the itinerary, marketing, booking, organizing meals—the list felt endless.
Then, I had a realization: retreats thrive on community, so why was I trying to build one in isolation?
Instead of struggling solo, I reached out to people in my network who could help. I partnered with a friend who was also trying at a yoga business. I delegated food and asked a local chef if they’d be interested in providing some of the meals. I talked to anyone who would listen about my retreat idea. I thought a lot about what made past retreats I had attended so special.
📌 What I Wish I Knew: Collaboration is the secret ingredient to a successful retreat. You don’t have to be an expert in everything—you just need to bring the right people together.
🚀 Takeaway: Start by looking at your existing network. Who can you team up with? Who has skills that complement yours? Remember: Your retreat doesn’t have to rest entirely on your shoulders!
Step 2: I Focused on the Feeling First
Before I worried about logistics, I asked myself:
🔹 How do I want people to feel during this retreat?
🔹 What transformation do I want them to experience?
🔹 What do I love teaching, sharing, or facilitating?
Instead of stressing about the "perfect" location or schedule, I first focused on creating an experience that felt aligned and amazing. Once I had clarity on the why, the how became easier to figure out.
📌 What I Wish I Knew: You don’t need a dream venue or a giant budget to create a powerful retreat. You need an intention that resonates.
🚀 Takeaway: Get clear first on the transformation or experience you want to provide, and let that guide your planning process.
Step 3: I Learned the Hard Way That Location Matters
I used to think that hosting a retreat meant flying people to an exotic island or renting out a luxury resort. So for my first retreat, I went all in on a high-end venue…with no logistical support.
That meant I was handling everything—from scheduling and setup to troubleshooting unexpected issues—with no real safety net.
The guest experience? Incredible.
The financial reality? Not so great.
Between the venue cost, deposits, and unexpected fees, my first retreat cost well over $5,000 to put on—money I didn’t actually have at the time.
📌 What I Wish I Knew: Your first retreat doesn’t have to be extravagant. Start with a manageable location that lets you refine your process without unnecessary financial risk.
🚀 Takeaway: Consider local venues, retreat centers, or even Airbnb options before jumping into a high-cost commitment. Your budget will thank you later.
Step 4: Pre-Selling Was the Best Decision I Made
One of my biggest fears? What if no one signs up?
To avoid the risk of losing money and doing a ton of work for a little payoff, I knew I needed to gauge interest before making big financial commitments.
So, I started with a survey. I asked my audience (via my weekly email newsletter) if they’d be interested in a retreat experience with me, and the response was clear—people were raising their hands and saying YES.
That was verrry exciting and gave me the confidence to see the event through to the end.
I pre-sold the retreat before locking in all the expenses:
✅ I announced the retreat and let people commit early.
✅ I offered flexible payment plans. Some guests paid in full, while others put down a deposit and made payments over time—making the retreat accessible across multiple price points.
✅ I capped the retreat at 14 people—and we sold all 14 spots!
Not only did this pre-sale approach help me cover costs upfront, but it also made the retreat feel like an inclusive experience. People who might not have been able to pay all at once still had a chance to attend. That felt like a huge success.
And the best part? That first retreat wasn’t just an incredible experience—it was the foundation for what came next. Since then, my retreats have become more and more profitable. I’ve refined my approach and have made each event even better through all I’ve learned.
📌 What I Learned: Pre-selling wasn’t just a safety net; it was a powerful way to create excitement, ensure financial stability, and make my retreats more accessible.
🚀 Takeaway: Don’t wait until everything is planned to start selling! If people are raising their hands, give them a way to commit early—you’ll set yourself up for success before you spend big.
Step 5: I Embraced Imperfection & Took the Leap
Was my first retreat profitable? No.
Was it successful? Absolutely.
Because at the end of the day, success isn’t just about profit—it’s about creating a transformational experience for the people who show up. And that? That part, I nailed.
The best part? Every lesson I learned from that first retreat made my future ones stronger, more sustainable and profitable, and more aligned with my long-term vision and goals.
📌 What I Wish I Knew: Perfection is an illusion. Your first retreat is a learning experience no matter what—embrace it and grow from there.
🚀 Takeaway: You’ll never feel 100% ready, but the only way to gain confidence is by doing it.
Check out these two glowing google reviews I received from that very first retreat (they warm my heart every time I read them):
💬 “My mom, sister, and I attended Brennah's yoga retreat this past weekend at Coldwater Gardens. Despite being relatively close to where we live, it was a complete escape. Her yoga classes are a truly moving experience. Her knowledge shines through and yet her relatability and authenticity are the things that you are left with. I highly, highly recommend Brennah and look forward to more classes/retreats with her guidance.”
💬 “I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend retreat at Coldwater Gardens with Brennah and her team! They are all very talented in their practices! I learned a lot! It was a reset button for my body and mind, something I needed badly! I look forward to participating in more events like this. Thank you, Brennah!!”
If You Have the Dream, You Can Make It Happen
If you’re dreaming of leading a retreat but feel stuck, I want you to know this: It’s possible.
You don’t have to wait until you have it all figured out.
You don’t have to do it alone.
And you don’t have to start with something huge and overwhelming.
✨ Start where you are.
✨ Lean into collaboration.
✨ Take the first step.
Your dream retreat is closer than you think.
🔥 Thinking about running your first retreat? Drop a comment or DM me—I’d love to hear your ideas and help you bring them to life!
xoxo,
Brennah
PS: One of my top business goals for 2025 is to launch my online course: The Business Baddies Beginner Retreat Planning Guide. Join the email list (form in the footer/at the bottom of the page) to stay connected and be the first to get exciting updates on the online course.
