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How to Grow Your Revenue with Retreats
Sheri Rosenthal, CEO and Chief Retreat Strategist at Wanderlust Entrepreneur. Sheri is a true veteran in the retreat industry. For over two decades, she’s helped more than 20,000 heart-centered entrepreneurs plan, price, promote, and profit from transformational retreats around the globe. She’s also the CEO of Journeys of the Spirit, a boutique travel agency that has managed over 1,000 retreats worldwide since 2003. If you’ve ever dreamed of combining your business with travel, she is the one you need. For more information, visit www.wanderlustentrepreneur.com
SmallBizLady: Why do you believe retreats are such a powerful business tool right now, and what makes this the right time to lead them?
Sheri Rosenthal: Well, I’ve been in the retreat space for over 20 years, long before it was a trendy buzzword. It all started when I left my medical practice and started studying with don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements. I went on my very first retreat with him and it literally changed my life. I went on the study with him for 8 years. Now, retreats are an essential part of building connections with coaching and consulting clients. That’s why I created Wanderlust Entrepreneur to show people that they can create soul-aligned, high-impact retreats and make serious income.
Let’s be honest, the world’s a bit wild right now. People are craving clarity, connection, and something real. They’re burned out by digital overload, disillusioned with surface-level content, and hungry for meaning, healing, and true human experiences.
That’s where retreats come in. As a transformational leader, you’re not just offering a trip — you’re creating a tailor-made, soul-nourishing experience that meets this exact moment in time. And if you’re not showing up to lead that kind of space… someone else will.
Retreats are no longer just a luxury — they’ve become a necessity in a world that desperately needs depth and direction. And the data backs this up: the tailor-made travel industry is projected to hit over $500 billion by 2029, and retreats are one of the fastest-growing segments driving that growth. Even the big hotel chains are pivoting into the retreat space — and they don’t make moves like that without serious market research.
SmallBizLady: What’s the biggest mistake you see retreat leaders make, and how can they avoid it?
Sheri Rosenthal: Hands down, the biggest mistake is underpricing. It’s the #1 reason retreat leaders lose money, feel resentful, or burn out — even when their retreat looks “successful” on the outside.
And the truth is, it usually comes down to mindset. Most people undervalue themselves. They think no one will pay more. Or they believe that charging premium prices somehow makes them less heart-centered or spiritual — and that’s just not true.
Beyond that, a lot of folks don’t calculate their actual costs properly. They forget taxes, currency fluctuations, credit card fees, travel insurance, room comps, team payments… and it adds up fast. Suddenly what looked like a $12,000 profit turns into a $2,000 loss — or worse.
And maybe most importantly: they don’t reverse engineer their retreat to support a bigger business vision. A retreat shouldn’t be the end of the road — it should lead seamlessly into your next offer, whether that’s private coaching, a mastermind, or an online program. But if you price too low, you don’t leave any space — financially or energetically — to make that pivot.
SmallBizLady: How can retreats be used as a powerful way to generate additional income in your business?
Sheri Rosenthal: Retreats are one of the most underutilized income streams in the coaching and transformation space — and when done right, they can add five or even six figures to your business every year Most people think of a retreat as a one-off event, but the smartest leaders treat it like a revenue-generating ecosystem. You’re not just selling a trip — you’re offering a high-touch, premium experience that deepens your client relationship and elevates your brand. That means you can:
- Charge premium pricing (with integrity)
- Bundle your retreat with private coaching or masterminds
- Use the retreat as a launchpad for higher-level offers or long-term programs
- Or flip it — and offer the retreat as the culmination of your group program
And here’s the big one: a well-designed retreat builds massive trust. People who attend are far more likely to become repeat clients, buy your future programs, or refer others. So, the retreat income isn’t just what you make at the event, it’s what it unlocks after the event.
We teach our retreat leaders to bake profit into every part of the retreat journey, from pricing, to upsells, to backend offers, all while staying aligned with their mission. Because yes, you can do transformational work and build serious wealth.
SmallBizLady: Where should someone start if they want to lead their first (or more successful) retreat?
Sheri Rosenthal: Start with the transformation, not the location. It’s not about Bali or Tulum or the Greek Islands (though hey, those are amazing!). It’s about who your retreat is for, what kind of shift you want to help them create, and how that experience fits into your business.
Then comes the strategy, and that’s where a lot of folks get stuck. That’s why we’ve created some free tools to help. We’ve got a downloadable eBook called “5 Ways to Profit from Transformational Retreats” It packed with smart, actionable info and will help you avoid the common mistakes that cost retreat leaders time, money, and credibility— this will give you a head start the smart way.
How to Make Networking Pay Off
Toni Harris Taylor, an award-winning networking expert, franchise owner of Network in Action Global Partners, and the powerhouse behind The Toni Harris Taylor Network Toni is known as The Coach Who Connects, she helps entrepreneurs transform their contacts into contracts and their networks into net worth. She’s a sought-after speaker, trainer, and franchise consultant who has taught thousands of business owners how to grow through intentional connections. She shares exactly how to make networking a profitable part of your business growth strategy. For more information: www.ToniHarrisTaylor.com
SmallBizLady: What’s the biggest misconception people have about networking?
That networking is just about collecting business cards and making small talk over lukewarm coffee. Wrong! Networking isn’t about who you know, it’s about who knows you, remembers you, and refers you when it counts. People think it’s casual chit-chat, but real networking is a strategic relationship-building game. When done right, it’s the gateway to opportunity, partnerships, and yes, profits. You don’t just show up to a networking event, you show up with purpose and follow up with power. That’s how you blow up your business.
SmallBizLady: How can entrepreneurs shift from casual networking to intentional, strategic networking?
It starts with a decision. You have to decide that you’re not just hoping for business — you’re out here hunting for it, strategically. Be clear about your goals before you even walk into the room. Who do you want to meet? What kind of partnerships are you looking for? And most importantly, how can you serve first? My motto is: Show up. Be up. Follow up. To blow up. When you network with intention and follow that formula, you stop wasting time and start building a powerful community that feeds your business.
SmallBizLady: You run a Network in Action franchise, how does that model help business owners compared to traditional networking groups?
Network in Action is a game-changer. This isn’t your grandma’s networking group where people pass the same referrals around month after month. NIA is for serious entrepreneurs who are ready to invest in relationships, community, and growth. We meet monthly, we use technology to stay connected, and we focus on accountability and ROI. Plus, I coach my members to actually show up, play full out, and build profitable partnerships. Traditional groups hope for connections; NIA creates them on purpose.
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