How To Run Profitable Retreats – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Ready to turn your retreat dream into a six-figure revenue stream—without a huge audience? In this masterclass from the Wild Woman with Impact Summit, retreat strategist Leni Cavazos (The Retreat Planner) reveals the exact system she’s used to help coaches, healers, and entrepreneurs sell out retreats, build waitlists, and keep 30–50%+ profit margins.

👉 Join the next Sold Out & Profitable Retreats Challenge (live, 4 hours): https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge
Build your profitable retreat plan in one session: pricing for profit, magnetic messaging, and a rinse-and-repeat sales strategy.

What you’ll learn

• Why 80% of retreat leaders lose money (and how to avoid it)

• Pricing for profit before you ever book a venue

• Crafting results-oriented, magnetic messaging (no more “Relax & Reset in Bali”)

• How to pre-sell and build a waitlist so retreats stop being risky

• Real examples: 76-person waitlist, 21 guests to Spain, quarterly sell-outs

Who this is for
Coaches, experts, consultants, speakers, and creators who want profitable, repeatable retreats that elevate their brand and feed their offers, all with clear systems and loyalty marketing baked in.

Join the challenge: https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge
(Spots limited. Designed to get your pricing, plan, and sales map done.)

About Leni
Leni has 18+ years in hospitality and global events (The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Bonvoy) and builds loyalty-driven retreat businesses for clients worldwide.

00:00 Intro & poll: Dreamers, hosts, and goals for today
02:15 The opportunity: retreats as a six-figure revenue stream
05:02 Why most leaders lose money (the 80% problem)
08:20 Leni’s background (Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Bonvoy, global events)
12:55 The mindset shift: retreats are a business model, not a hobby
16:18 Mistake #1: Booking venues before you can sell
18:40 Mistake #2: Pricing by gut vs. pricing for profit
22:05 Mistake #3: Selling a vacation, not a transformation
25:10 The system overview: pricing → messaging → 22-way sales plan → waitlist
28:45 You don’t need a huge audience (you need clarity & systems)
32:04 BHAG moment & creating flexibility inside a proven framework
38:44 Case Study #1 (Christi): covering profit before the event
41:25 Q&A: upsells, waitlists, and loyalty marketing
45:21 Advanced: building waitlists & pre-sale momentum
49:00 Case Study #2 (Matthew): 21 to Spain + 76-person waitlist
52:20 Case Study #3 (Tiffany): quarterly sell-outs + one luxury retreat
55:10 Your next step: the Sold Out & Profitable Retreats Challenge
59:30 Logistics & live Q&A wrap

If this sparked your retreat dream, make it real. Join the Sold Out & Profitable Retreats Challenge (live, 4 hours) and leave with your pricing, messaging, and sales plan done: theretreatplanner.com/challenge
Questions about pricing, venues, or waitlists? Drop them below and I’ll reply.

 What really makes a retreat sell out? Is it your intuition? Your brand? Your pricing? Or your ability to hold the vision even when sales feel slow?

In this special panel episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sat down with an extraordinary circle of retreat leaders and industry experts—including Abby Gooch, Liesel Albrecht, Kellie Sabas, Victoria Shaw, Sil Eiler, and Malvina Messler—for an unfiltered conversation on what it takes to run a retreat that not only transforms lives… but also generates real profit.

🖤 We go beyond the fluff and dive into the strategic AND soulful pieces of the puzzle:

• Why 90% of first-time retreat leaders never host a second retreat (and how to avoid being one of them)

• The biggest pricing mistake that keeps soulful women stuck and broke

• The #1 marketing myth retreat leaders fall for—and what actually drives conversions

• Intuition vs. data: when to follow your gut and when to let your KPIs lead

• The sacred power of loyalty marketing and building repeat retreat clients

• Why retreat selling is not just about having a pretty location (hint: it’s about YOU)
  
  

Whether you’re a retreat dreamer or a seasoned facilitator looking to scale, this conversation is your compass.

👀 Bonus:
We also reveal the details (and deep discounts!) for the upcoming Sell Out Retreats Summit in San Diego, happening October 4–5, 2025. You’ll want to be in the room.

🎟️ Join us in San Diego:
https://womensretreatsworldwide.com/registration?am_id=lenicavazos1842
✨ Use Coupon Code RETREATLEADER for $200 OFF!

💭 If this episode inspired you, share it, rate it, or send it to a retreat leader who needs it.

🖤 Let’s build transformational businesses that last.

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

If you wouldn't pitch your retreat to your worst boss ever… it's probably not a real business plan. 😬

In this Episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I’m talking about why so many retreat leaders get stuck in the cycle of “just helping people”—and forget to run an actual business.

You’ll learn:
✔️ Why starting with profit isn’t greedy—it’s smart
✔️ The simple test to evaluate your retreat like a CEO
✔️ How to stop compromising and start scaling
✔️ The 3 non-negotiables of a profitable retreat business
✔️ Why “nice-to-have” retreats are no longer selling

🎧 Tune in now & grab your spot at my Vegas intensive: theretreatplanner.com/live

👀 This is Episode 4 of a 6-part series—keep an eye out & don’t forget to leave a review! 💛

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

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

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

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

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

Follow Us On Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

🔥 New on the podcast!
Most retreats aren’t selling—and it’s not because of your marketing.
It’s because your retreat isn’t solving a specific, high-value problem.

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I break down:
✔️ What perceived value actually means
✔️ Why people will pay $25K+ for the right retreat
✔️ How to stop creating “nice-to-have” retreats and start solving problems that matter

This episode is a wake-up call if you want to charge premium prices and still feel aligned.

Join me LIVE in Vegas here

This is Ep. 3 of a 6-part series — don’t miss it! 💼💫

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

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

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

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

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

Follow Us On Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

Welcome back to How to Run Profitable Retreats with your host, Leni Cavazos—global retreat strategist and systems expert. This is Episode 2 in our 6-part series, and it’s one of the most personal, powerful, and purpose-driven conversations yet. 🎙️✨

In this episode, Leni opens up about her unexpected journey—from producing world-class events at Ritz-Carlton, snow-covered galas in the Dubai desert, and launching Marriott Bonvoy… to walking out of her very first retreat experience in tears.

And yet, the transformation came full circle.

💥 You'll learn:

• Why most retreats aren’t profitable—and why transformation alone isn’t enough
• The “aha” moment that made Leni pivot from luxury events to transformational retreats
• What she discovered after interviewing 100+ retreat leaders (and why 90% of them never hosted a second retreat)
• Why you need more than passion—you need a strategy
• The truth about $10K+ losses and the myths that normalize retreat failure
• What your pricing, planning, and mindset really say about your business

This episode is a raw, real behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stop winging it and start building a repeatable, scalable, profitable retreat business.

🚨 Join Me LIVE in Vegas

If you’re ready to skip the guesswork and finally get a system that works for you, join me at my live event:

👉 Sold Out & Profitable Retreats – Las Vegas
📍 1-Day Intensive
💼 Walk away with a real retreat business plan, not a vision board

🎟️ Reserve your seat here — Spots are limited!

🌟 This is the second episode in a 6-part series that will completely shift how you approach retreats—so make sure you subscribe and leave a review if this speaks to you.
Let’s raise the bar, raise the rates, and raise the impact of retreats. 🔥

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

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

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

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

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

Follow Us On Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

🚀 Planning a corporate retreat? Before booking the venue or finalizing the agenda, the most critical step is defining your “why.” In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with expert facilitator Bruce Honig to break down the essential components of designing an engaging, results-driven corporate retreat.

💡 Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• ✔️ The Power of Purpose – How defining the retreat’s “why” shapes everything from activities to outcomes. 🎯
• ✔️ The Facilitator’s Role – Why having an unbiased, experienced facilitator (separate from content experts) enhances group dynamics and decision-making. 👥
• ✔️ Engaging Your Audience – Strategies to make corporate retreats interactive, hands-on, and collaborative—moving beyond boring PowerPoint presentations. 🤝
• ✔️ Tailoring to Your Participants – Understanding corporate teams' unique needs and preferences for maximum engagement and impact. 🏆

Whether you're planning a team retreat, leadership summit, or strategy session, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you design a retreat that drives real results!

🔗 Connect with Bruce Honig:

🌐 Idea Guides

📱 LinkedIn

🎧 Listen now & if you love this episode, share it and leave us 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

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

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

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

Follow Us On Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

🚀 What does it take to create unforgettable, profitable retreats? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Samara Beth, a seasoned event producer with 30+ years of experience, to discuss how to elevate your brand and retreat business through powerful event experiences.

💡 Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• ✨ The W.I.N. Method – Willpower to push through, Innovation to think creatively, and Networking to build lasting connections.
• 📌 Knowing Your Audience – How to deeply understand your ideal participants, where they are, and how to reach them effectively.
• 💰 Budgeting & Pricing Retreats – Strategies to avoid financial pitfalls, anticipate unexpected costs, and ensure your retreats remain profitable.
• 🌟 Creating Memorable Retreats – How to engage the five senses, add surprise elements, and promote future events while hosting.

• ⚡ Handling Challenges & Risks – From last-minute changes to safety concerns, learn how to stay prepared and flexible with smart contingency planning.

If you’re looking to boost your retreat success, connect with the right people, and build an unforgettable brand experience, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧✨

🎁 Special Invitation: Register for Samara’s “W.I.N. Your Brand” webinar and learn how to leverage event experiences for brand growth! 👉 Join Here

🔗 Connect with Samara Beth:

🌐 samarabeth.com

📱 @samarabethandco

If you love this episode, share it and leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Your support helps us bring more expert insights to you! 🚀

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

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

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

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

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

Follow Us On Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

📢 Did you know that 70% of retreats don’t make a profit? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I dive deep into what it really takes to fill retreats, create loyal customers, and build a profitable retreat business in 2025.

💡 Key insights from this episode:

• 🔹 The Marketing Shift: It now takes 36-52 touchpoints across multiple channels for someone to buy—compared to just 7 in the past! Learn how to build trust and stay top-of-mind.
• 🔹 Retreat Profitability Stats: 68% of retreat hosts earn only $5,000-$10,000 per retreat—let’s change that by pricing and marketing smarter.
• 🔹 Loyalty = More Revenue: Loyal customers spend 67% more than new ones. Discover how to keep participants engaged before, during, and after the retreat.
• 🔹 From Hobby to Business: The first retreat takes an average of 200 hours to plan—but with the right systems and strategies, that can be cut to just 50 hours!

🚀 Whether you're just starting out or have hosted 10+ retreats, this episode will give you the tools to grow, scale, and truly profit from your retreat business.

✨ Thank you to Viazara! Find out more: viazara

🎧 Listen now & don’t forget to share and give us 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

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

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

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

Follow Us On Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

In this power-packed episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Erica Hill to break down the numbers that drive success and the strategies that transform passion into a thriving business. 📊💼

Together, we explore:

• Tracking Key Business Metrics: Learn why monitoring cost of customer acquisition, revenue, expenses, and profitability is essential for making smart decisions on pricing, marketing, and scaling your business.

• Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Business Owner: Erica explains the critical differences between being an entrepreneur and a true business owner—structuring your business, separating personal and business finances, and leveraging business credit to unlock new opportunities.

• Securing Business Funding: Discover what lenders are looking for, from a solid business structure to a strong personal credit history, and why building business credit over time is key to increasing your company’s valuation and funding options.

Ready to elevate your business strategy and secure the funding you need? Tune in for actionable insights that will help you master your metrics and transform your entrepreneurial journey into a profitable, sustainable enterprise. 🚀

Connect with Erica Hill:

🌐 The Money Reset Coach

📱 @askericahill1

Special Offer: Download our guide "0% Funding Made Simple: 5 Steps to Grow Your Business Without Risking Personal Credit!" 👉 Get the Guide

If you love this episode, please share it and leave us 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

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

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

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

Follow Us On Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

In this transformative episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with James Yates to explore the evolving landscape of the retreat industry. James dives into how the industry has shifted from simply booking venues to creating structured, outcome-driven retreat programs—and why it's time to approach retreats as a full-fledged business. 🚀

Together, we discuss:

• Defining Outcomes & Delivering Value: How to design retreats that solve specific problems and provide true transformation, rather than just a "nice" getaway. 🎯

• Pricing, Profitability, & Mindset: The importance of pricing based on the value you deliver, and understanding your market to avoid undervaluing your offerings. 💰

• Building Awareness & Engagement: Strategies for nurturing relationships and guiding potential participants through awareness, acceptance, and action. 📈

• Integrating Experiences & Fostering Community: Why ongoing support and a strong community are key to extending the retreat experience beyond the event itself. 🤝

Ready to shift your mindset and build a profitable retreat business? Tune in for actionable insights and join the movement!

Connect with James Yates:🌐Reignite Retreats | 📱 @reigniteretreats

Special Offer: Enjoy 10% off all our retreats as a thank you for listening!

If you love this episode, please share it and leave us 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

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

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

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

Follow Us On Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner