Retreat Recap & First Thoughts

Sausha takes us behind the scenes of her latest retreat—a powerful mix of clients and team members coming together for an unforgettable experience in Oregon. From last-minute childcare hiccups to payroll hiccups, the lead-up wasn’t exactly smooth sailing! But despite the stress, the retreat turned out to be a huge success, filled with personal breakthroughs, deep conversations, and unforgettable moments (yes, there was horseback riding!).

Sausha reflects on the magic of the event, sharing how it reaffirmed her dream of one day owning her own retreat property. She also gets real about the importance of rolling with the punches when life throws curveballs. This episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and a reminder that flexibility is key to making big dreams happen!

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Transcript

0:00: Oh my goodness, you guys, I just got back from the retreat yesterday and I am pooped today. 
 0:09: I am straight up pooped if you have ever hosted a retreat or any type of event, you know that it is just, it's a lot, it takes a lot out. 
 0:20: You you're basically on for multiple days, think about being on stage for like four days plus cooking meals like that is what it was, but I am so fulfilled. 
 0:35: So just so filled. 
 0:38: Like I just love, love, love, love retreats. 
 0:42: I just love them. 
 0:43: There's so much cool stuff that happens in that amount of time. 
 0:47: They're just incredible breakthroughs. 
 0:49: And so what I wanted to do in this episode is just recap what the retreat was and some of my aha moments for you guys and just kind of, I don't know, verbalize process. 
 1:03: I guess we'll, we'll call it that and on day one people are starting to fly in, they're coming all that good stuff. 
 1:16: And I was kind of in a panic because my daycare gal was unable to watch my kids that week when I really needed the help. 
 1:25: So it started off the week was just in kind of a panic. 
 1:29: I was like, oh my God, what am I gonna do? 
 1:32: What am I gonna do? 
 1:33: What am I gonna do? 
 1:33: And it was no fault of her own. 
 1:35: She had something pretty tragic happen, not my story to tell. 
 1:40: So we're not going to go into too much detail, but something happened that she was not able to control. 
 1:45: Right? 
 1:45: And so she's like, I'm gonna need some time blah, blah, blah, blah. 
 1:48: I'm like, OK, you know, nothing I can do. 
 1:51: you know, and I just basically said, take all the time you need, we will figure it out. 
 1:54: So my husband ended up having to stay home from work. 
 1:58: So thankfully, he has, you know, a very flexible job, right? 
 2:02: Very flexible job. 
 2:04: And he's able to stay at home with the two youngest and take the two oldest to school and all that good stuff. 
 2:10: So it ended up working out. 
 2:11: But I was so stressed out going into this week and I'm trying to wrap up this 90 day program that I'm offering. 
 2:24: So not good time management planning on my part, you know, thinking about the retreat and this 90 day along the same time. 
 2:33: So I'm just kind of putting a lot of pressure on myself, which I do operate well under pressure. 
 2:39: But then this babysitting thing on top of that or this daycare thing on top of that, like I was at like max stress level going into this week. 
 2:51: So I was like, oh my God, what am I gonna do? 
 2:54: People are coming in. 
 2:55: I didn't have all the things that I needed to get ready done. 
 3:00: It was just, it was wild and then in terms of like payroll, this is probably too much information for you guys, but I was waiting on some payments from another employer or not employer contractor that I do contract work from. 
 3:14: So I was waiting on a like a pay a payment from them so I could turn around and then like pay my people. 
 3:20: So there was like this big like mix up in like payroll processors during like the same time and then I'm having people like call me and it was just like a three day. 
 3:31: I don't know, there was like a three day period there where it was just like shit hit the fan right before the retreat, right? 
 3:37: And then once you're at the retreat, everything is fine like it's fine as soon as it gets started but like the few days up to it. 
 3:42: So between like the daycare gal, the payroll issue, the like the food and getting everything like lined up, there was just like shit storm after shit storm after shit storm and then I like launched this 90 day case study thing on top of it. 
 3:56: which is actually going really well, like we're just wrapping things up. 
 3:59: So if you've been thinking about joining, like I am for sure, for sure, sign seal deliver, locking the doors Friday at midnight, like you will never see this again forever and ever amen. 
 4:09: Promise. 
 4:09: Ok. 
 4:10: So if you're thinking about working with me in 90 days, you have got to sign up before Friday at midnight. 
 4:15: I'm not even kidding you. 
 4:17: So anyways, then we go into Thursday, it's kind of like a meet and greet. 
 4:20: A couple of the gals got their flights delayed. 
 4:22: So that was kind of a bummer. 
 4:23: So I didn't get to do all the things that I wanted to do on Thursday, but we just kind of like ebb and flow with it. 
 4:27: Right. 
 4:28: So meet and greet Thursday went really well, Friday. 
 4:32: Oh, my God, it was so much fun. 
 4:34: Friday. 
 4:34: We did the horseback riding in the mountains and most of the people. 
 4:39: , well, I think about half had not been on horses and then half had, but they hadn't for a really long time and it was so much fun. 
 4:48: It was like everything that I could have ever possibly wanted. 
 4:51: , well, I mean, I take that back, you know, there's always something else that you can do. 
 4:56: Like, you can always make it better. 
 4:57: Right. 
 4:57: So, anyways, then I am riding with the trail guides and the trail guy. 
 5:03: She goes, oh, so I hear that like, you're, you know, a sales and business consultant. 
 5:08: I was wondering if I could like pick your brain. 
 5:09: And so I'm like riding horses with her and like business masterminding with her and oh my God, it was like my whole dream like reignite. 
 5:19: I'm like this like I just want to ride horses and talk business with people like, oh my God, like I just was so freaking excited. 
 5:28: And I love that shit. 
 5:29: I just fuck, I just love it. 
 5:30: I cannot tell you guys how much I love talking about this stuff, especially when you're like in a stock place and you're like, oh how can I do this? 
 5:39: How can I do this? 
 5:40: And I know like I know the answer. 
 5:43: I can like help you brainstorm ways and like I can help you create the whole thing. 
 5:46: You know what I mean? 
 5:47: Like I know how to do it and then I know how to help you implement it like it is and then seeing you connect the dots. 
 5:54: Oh And then being on a horse on top of it, it was just like the coolest thing. 
 5:57: So anyways so wonderful on that day, then we went to this really cool ice cream shop that I always take my kids to. 
 6:05: We got ice cream and, and yeah, it was just awesome and we left and we cried and Friday, we like hung out by the pool. 
 6:13: We did some mastermind and we talked about business, we talked about life, we just got really deep into the inner work on Friday. 
 6:19: We did some,, little bit of hypnotherapy sessions. 
 6:22: One of the gals was a hypnotherapist. 
 6:24: So that was really cool. 
 6:25: She was practicing on some of the gals and, oh, my gosh, that was so fun to watch that. 
 6:30: It was, it was wonderful. 
 6:32: It was the coolest thing ever. 
 6:34: And so, like, looking back a few things that,, were my favorites were obviously the horseback riding. 
 6:41: Like, obviously guys, my big dream is to be able to do that on a more frequent basis at my own place. 
 6:50: Right. 
 6:50: So, like right now,, I, I only have a few horses. 
 6:54: I don't have enough horses to be able to, to do this for large, large groups. 
 6:59: So my big dream is to have enough horses to do it for large groups and to have a property to where I can do it, you know, host all that stuff myself because like, right now I just rent airbnb's and then I, you know, find places to do these things at. 
 7:12: And so my big dream is to then be able to, you know, do them for myself and not have to pay thousands and thousands of dollars to, you know, host everything elsewhere. 
 7:24: So,, not that I don't, I like, I don't mind it obviously, like I'm supporting other small businesses, but that I'm just saying like the next level of the dream. 
 7:32: So, but the place was beautiful. 
 7:35: The only downside to the property was, it was right next to the interstate, which, you know, I did not realize, you know, obviously because it was an airbnb and I had not been there before. 
 7:46: , but the place was beautiful. 
 7:48: It was also like an equestrian property. 
 7:50: So there was horses on property. 
 7:52: , and you couldn't tell that the interstate was right there, but you could hear it right. 
 7:55: You couldn't see it, but you could hear it, but the property was just absolutely stunning, absolutely gorgeous, like super luxurious upscale cabin, like, had every amenity that we could possibly want or need. 
 8:09: And so, yeah, some of my favorites were, the actual property itself was gorgeous. 
 8:14: The horseback riding was amazing. 
 8:17: The people themselves, I feel like everybody,, you know, I, I try to kind of hand pick people to an extent and so I feel like everybody here like vibed really well with each other. 
 8:30: I feel like we had plenty of food. 
 8:32: Oh my God, we had too much food. 
 8:34: The weather was incredible. 
 8:37: We sold out of this retreat. 
 8:38: So I feel like there was plenty of spaces actually, I don't think we could have fit any more people. 
 8:45: What else? 
 8:46: I feel like the topics went really well, like the conversations went really well. 
 8:51: A lot of really, really, really deep insightful conversations and then some of the things that I feel like, could have gone better. 
 8:58: , the location wise, I feel like if it wouldn't have been so close to the interstate, you know, obviously ideal location would be my own house with my own horses. 
 9:06: Right. 
 9:06: Like, that's my ideal situation. 
 9:09: So, don't worry, I'm figuring it out. 
 9:12: That's gonna be something that's coming up in the future. 
 9:14: You guys are gonna watch the process unfold in real time. 
 9:17: Like that's my goal. 
 9:18: Right. 
 9:20: Other things were, let's see what else? 
 9:24: I wish the photographer thing would have worked out. 
 9:27: I wanted to have a professional photographer there and that that didn't end up working out. 
 9:32: So I really would have loved to have like a professional photographer or videographer there because do we took a lot of pictures of like the horseback riding and whatnot. 
 9:39: But then once we were at the house, we were just so in the moment that I think most people forgot to take photos and videos, you know, so we didn't capture a whole lot of photos and videos. 
 9:50: So I wish we would have done more of that. 
 9:52: I wish I would have had like a big giant white board to do like a presentation that would have been nice. 
 9:57: I would have loved to have a private chef. 
 9:59: I've done chefs before at other retreats. 
 10:02: This one I cooked and while I enjoy cooking for my family, I do realize that I would have rather spent the time with the women instead of cooking. 
 10:13: , so I do think that I will have a chef at the next one just so that I can spend more time with the gals instead of, you know, spending time cooking. 
 10:25: Right. 
 10:26: , so that was one thing. 
 10:28: , gosh, I'm trying to think what else. 
 10:30: , yeah, those are probably the big things and the goodie bags. 
 10:35: I, I, I wish I would have done a different type of box for the goodie bags. 
 10:39: And then I wish I would have made a T shirt. 
 10:41: I was planning on doing T shirts and hats, but they didn't get here in time. 
 10:45: So that was another thing. 
 10:46: So, but those are just a few thoughts about the retreat while I'm here. 
 10:52: So if you're thinking about hosting a retreat, just some things to keep in mind, try to plan it out at least six months in advance that should give you enough time to, you know, find a place, lock in some dates, do some payment plans, things along those lines. 
 11:08: Try to get somebody to help you like have an extra set of hands there. 
 11:12: That's always pretty helpful, but obviously like think about budget, think about food. 
 11:17: and believe it or not chat G BT can help you with a lot of these things. 
 11:20: I know a lot of people are, you know, pretty hesitant to use Chat G BT. 
 11:23: But if you program it to, you know, help you with the right things. 
 11:27: It can be pretty helpful, but just some things to keep in mind is like, what is the theme? 
 11:31: What is the topic? 
 11:32: Where's the location? 
 11:33: How many people are going? 
 11:35: What is your baseline cost? 
 11:36: Is there any food allergies? 
 11:39: , that's another thing that you have to keep in mind, food allergies, food preferences. 
 11:44: Are you gonna be doing any gift bags? 
 11:46: Are you gonna be helping arrange transportation? 
 11:50: Is it all inclusive? 
 11:52: Do they have to pay for their own flight? 
 11:55: Are you like, are they staying at the location or are they coming like to the location? 
 12:01: What does that all look like? 
 12:03: Are there gonna be guest speakers? 
 12:04: Is there any self-care type of stuff? 
 12:07: What are the meals? 
 12:08: What are the snacks? 
 12:12: Is there, you know, specific times that you guys are doing things? 
 12:16: So for example, like mine was more of like a rhythm, right? 
 12:18: Like we'll have, you know, breakfast, lunch, dinner and then throughout the day, we had things kind of, you know, tentatively planned, but it wasn't very structured, very rigid. 
 12:27: There are some, you know, retreats that are very rigid like 7 a.m. Is this 8 a.m. Is this noon? 
 12:32: Is this so is your structured or is it more, you know, free flowing? 
 12:36: Do they need to sign any like liability waivers? 
 12:39: You know, like we did horseback riding like that's kind of a big deal. 
 12:42: Is that something that you, you know, need to disclose to people? 
 12:45: So, retreats can be tons of fun. 
 12:49: They can be a great way to bring, you know, your clients together. 
 12:52: , are they a lot of work? 
 12:55: Yes. 
 12:56: Yes. 
 12:57: Yes. 
 12:57: Yes. 
 12:57: Yes. 
 12:57: Yes. 
 12:58: So, when you are, you know, pricing your retreats, think about how much time you put into them on the front end. 
 13:04: So a lot of times people will look at a retreat and think, oh yeah, this retreat is, you know, three or $4000 or $5000 and they'll be like holy smokes, that's a lot of money or, you know, whatever. 
 13:14: But they don't think about all of the time that goes into researching all the things they don't think about like your expertise and the things that you will be teaching, they don't think about, you know, it's not just like an all inclusive trip where you can just like book it on Expedia and it does all the things for you. 
 13:29: Like retreats are very carefully crafted and curated. 
 13:34: And so you want to take that into consideration and then also the food because you, you price it and plan it like per meal, per person, plus snacks and then you think about gifts and things like that and you wanna make sure that you baseline cover your cost, but then you also wanna make sure that you're covering your time and stuff as well and the specific things that you will be teaching and covering just like you would if you were working with somebody, you know, in person type of thing. 
 13:58: Right. 
 13:59: So, what would you normally, you know, charge,, to work with somebody in, you know, whatever capacity you would normally work with them? 
 14:06: Right. 
 14:06: , the first couple of retreats I ever hosted, I totally, totally undercharged myself. 
 14:14: And,, yeah, I ended up losing money on a couple. 
 14:20: Actually, I pretty much lost money on the very first couple of retreats that I did so just be very mindful of that. 
 14:28: But yeah, retreats can be, you know, very lucrative. 
 14:31: They can be lots of fun. 
 14:32: They can be a great, you know, marketing and sales strategy for, you know, future products and services as well. 
 14:38: They can be a great way to end a program or to start a program or to Upsell or to cross sell. 
 14:44: So think about, you know, what product or service you're offering. 
 14:47: And if a retreat would be a good fit for that, I mean, it can be a one day virtual retreat. 
 14:53: It can be a two day in-person retreat. 
 14:54: It can be anything. 
 14:56: And if you've never done one, start with a virtual like a half day virtual and then go from there. 
 15:02: OK. 
 15:04: And if you, you know, if you have questions, you know, where to find me. 
 15:07: So more on the retreat stuff soon. 
 15:09: The girls don't know it yet, but I'm probably gonna do a group, a group recap one and maybe we'll put that one on the podcast. 
 15:17: So fingers crossed that they agree to it or at least I can get a few of them together and we can talk about the retreat together cause I feel like that would be pretty cool. 
 15:24: So anyways until next time ladies have kick ass day. 
 15:28: All right. 
 15:29: Bye.