Behind the Retreat- Real Founders. Real Logistics. Real Lessons
Every retreat is as unique as the host behind it and the attendees in the room!
Join me and my retreat host/guest for a candid conversation about the REAL details behind their retreats.
Expect encouragement, inspiration, honest reflection on lessons learned, fears we all share, and a chance to attend the retreats that speak to your heart.
Behind the Retreat: What Really Happens When You Host for the First Time
A candid conversation with Lydia Martin of the THRIVE Retreat
Every retreat looks beautiful on Instagram.
Curated flat lays. Matching notebooks. Smiling women clinking glasses at golden hour.
But you aren’t seeing the full picture.
The spreadsheets.
The nerves.
The “What if no one books?” spiral at 10:47 PM.
That’s exactly why I’m pulling back the curtain on this new behind-the-scenes series for retreat hosts.
Because if you’re a female business owner sitting on a retreat idea, I want you to see what it actually takes, not to discourage you, but to encourage and inspire you.
Today, we’re starting with my friend Lydia Martin, founder of Launch with Lydia and host of the THRIVE Retreat in Orlando, Florida.
Lydia’s first retreat was equal parts courage, calculation, and community magic. And she knew by the last day of her 2025 THRIVE Retreat, she wanted to do it again!
From Online Community to In-Person Connection
Lydia built a thriving digital business helping entrepreneurs turn their knowledge into profitable offers. Her Ignite membership is intimate, strategic, and growth-focused.
But at some point, the question started whispering… What would happen if we took this beyond the screen?
If you’ve ever led a community online, you know the feeling. You crave deeper conversations, more nuance. The kind of transformation that only happens when people are fully present.
For Lydia, hosting a retreat wasn’t about adding another revenue stream. It was about deepening the experience for what she was already offering.
Of course, that didn’t mean it felt easy. She had the same fears many of you have…Will people travel? Will they invest at this level? What if I miscalculate the budget?
Lydia had a long career in direct sales, so meeting people face-to-face was something she was comfortable with. She had attended many business retreats. But when you are the host, you need to be strategic.
The Venue Decision Most People Overlook
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was how Lydia chose her venue.
Instead of defaulting to the popular Airbnb mastermind house model, she asked her community what they actually wanted.
When she polled her people, an overwhelming majority said they preferred a hotel.
Privacy. Personal space. A door that closes.
For women who are flying in, stepping away from families, and potentially attending their first retreat ever, that psychological safety matters.
So she hosted at a resort hotel at Disney Springs in Orlando. It was structured enough to feel professional, comfortable enough to feel relaxed.
And here’s what I loved, her intentional plan for the first evening. Everyone gathered casually in Lydia’s suite. The perfect informal setup with some hor d’oevers and treats, and casual get-to-know-you conversations.
It broke the ice without forcing intimacy.
By the time the first full day of the retreat started, nervousness was already gone.
That wasn’t accidental. That was intentional experience design.
The Lesson That Changed Her Second Retreat
Here’s where things get real. Lydia admitted that her first retreat schedule was content-heavy.
Because that’s what we do, right? We think, “They’re investing. I need to overdeliver. I need to fill every minute.”
But the feedback she got surprised her. The women didn’t want more content, they wanted more space.
More collaboration and implementation time. More “Can we sit here and map this out together?”
So for this next retreat, she is cutting content and building in breathing room. That shift alone will elevate the entire experience.
And this is something I see again and again. Transformation doesn’t happen because of the volume of information. It happens when there is space provided for integration.
The Detail That Made It Feel Elevated
Hiring a photographer was another intentional decision. Not just for marketing and social proof.
For documenting memories through group photos and candid shots mid-laughter.
When women leave with visual proof of who they were in that room (where they felt confident, seen, and connected), the impact lingers.
Those images become assets from your business perspective. Spending the money for a photographer for even part of the time is one of those decisions that seems like an optional line item until you see the resources it creates for your next time around.
The Financial Shift Most Hosts Avoid
Now let’s talk money because this is where many women shrink.
Lydia was honest about a mistake she made that I don’t want any host to repeat. She underpaid herself in her first retreat budget. She thought whatever profit she made was her compensation.
She factored in venue costs, food, materials. But not her salary. You are delivering your expertise, time, and intellectual property so you should be paid as if you were the guest expert (because you are)!
Lydia attended one of my workshops where I shared my Retreat Budget & Calculator Template. Her a-ha moment came when I told the participants their salary (whatever amount makes sense for you) is a retreat EXPENSE.
Build this into your budget and price your retreat tickets accordingly. “Breakeven” is a myth; it means you are working for free. Profit is now above and beyond because you paid yourself already.
By her second retreat, that changed. It wasn’t just a math shift, it was a mind shift.
She adjusted pricing, added a VIP day, and recalibrated from “I hope this works” to This is valuable.”
Retreats are not just events. They are premium containers for transformation.
And when designed well, they elevate your brand positioning immediately.
What I Want You to Hear If You’re Sitting on an Idea
If you’re quietly thinking,
“I’ve always wanted to host a retreat…”
Let Lydia’s story be your permission slip.
You do not need to have every answer on day one. You need a vision, a well-structured plan, and a guide who has walked the path before you.
Here is a good place to start- my FREE fillable Workbook
Retreat hosting is not about copying someone else’s model.
It’s about building an experience for your audience, your energy, and your long-term business goals.
It is absolutely possible to turn a retreat idea into a repeatable, high-impact experience your audience can’t stop talking about.
Because “someday” doesn’t build momentum. Strategy and action do.
Watch the Full Conversation
If you’re curious about the real logistics, real fears, and real lessons from Lydia’s first THRIVE Retreat, I’ve linked the full interview below.
We talk numbers.
We talk nerves.
We talk pivots.
And we talk about what makes women say, “That retreat changed everything.”
Watch the full interview HERE on my YouTube Channel
As of this publication date, there are still limited spots available for THRIVE 2026
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THE PROFITABLE RETREAT PLAN: From Someday Dream to Sold Out Retreat
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