(Without Losing Money or Your Sanity)
Hosting a retreat sounds like a dream, right? Picture it: Your vision-board worthy location, deeply transformative experiences for your clients, and a high-ticket revenue stream that boosts your business. But here’s the reality that isn’t spoken about- many business owners lose money on their retreats because they don’t plan them strategically.
I’ve done the market research calls.
If you want to run a retreat that’s profitable, smooth, and aligned with your energy, you need more than just a pretty venue and a good idea. You need a system. In this post, I’ll break down what it takes to run a financially successful retreat and forget the idea that retreats needs ot be a loss-leader.
The Benefits of Hosting a Retreat
Before we get into the logistics, let’s talk about why retreats are such a powerful business move:
✅ Deepen Client Relationships – Spending time with your clients in person strengthens trust and connection, leading to long-term loyalty and referrals.
✅ Premium Revenue Stream – Retreats allow you to charge high-ticket prices for a high-value experience. Done right, they can be more profitable than 1:1 coaching or online programs.
✅ Position Yourself as a Leader – A well-executed retreat enhances your credibility and visibility, making you stand out in your industry.
✅ Create Transformation in Real-Time – Unlike online courses, retreats immerse your clients in an experience where breakthroughs happen faster.
✅ A Business That Works for You – If designed properly, retreats can be a key part of a lifestyle-first business model that allows you to travel, work flexibly, and serve your clients in a way that feels good.
Why Most Retreats Fail (And How to Avoid These Mistakes)
I’ve helped coaches, consultants, and service providers plan, fill, and deliver profitable retreats for the past three years. And I’ve seen the same mistakes over and over again. Here’s what goes wrong:
🚨 Underpricing & Hidden Costs – Many retreat hosts focus on making the retreat ‘affordable’ rather than profitable. They don’t account for hidden expenses like venue fees, catering minimums, travel, taxes, and unexpected costs, and they end up breaking even (or worse, out of pocket!).
🚨 Last-Minute Planning Chaos – Without a clear workflow, retreat hosts find themselves scrambling to book venues, finalise itineraries, or fill last-minute spots. This creates unnecessary stress and often reduces profitability due to rushed decisions and pulling in extra resources to hit deadlines.
🚨 Choosing the Wrong Venue – A beautiful retreat centre might look great on Instagram, but hidden costs, inflexible contracts, or difficult logistics can eat into your profit margin and that’s before we even talk accessibility for your guests.
🚨 Ignoring Your Own Energy – Many retreat hosts burn out by over-scheduling, over-delivering, and trying to please everyone. A profitable retreat needs to work for you, not just your guests. understanding how to manage your energy and being crystal clear on what role you’ll play on your retreat is key.
Your Step-by-Step Plan for Success
The good news? You don’t have to figure this all out on your own. I created the Profitable Retreat System to take the guesswork out of planning, pricing, and delivering retreats that are financially and energetically sustainable. Check it out here.
