In this episode of Behind the Business, I’m back after a short break to share something super special—my full experience running the Spacious Scaling Business Retreat at my home in Noosa.
I start the episode with a raw and honest life update, sharing how I’ve been navigating a deep growth season in my business, from hiring a new client success coach to transitioning all my programs and client touchpoints to the School platform. It’s been an intense but exciting period of change, with lots of behind-the-scenes shifts to support scale and sustainability.
Then, I take you deep into the two-day retreat I hosted for 15 incredible coaches. I share why I chose to host it in my own home, how I structured each day, what the full experience looked like—from early morning beach walks and casual evening dinners, to hands-on business sessions, luxury content creation and even a Pilates class. I give a play-by-play of the retreat’s schedule including the workshops, meals, downtime and support I had on hand.
This retreat wasn’t my first in-person event, but it was the first of its kind at this scale and setup—and I held nothing back. I reveal what made it work so well, including the logistics and organisation I put in place, the Google Docs and videos I created to make it seamless for attendees, the importance of a detailed run sheet, and the sponsors that elevated the experience.
You’ll hear the real talk: what I’d absolutely do again (like the content shoot, having my team fly in, and creating a full sensory experience for clients), what I’d avoid next time (like scheduling it during a local triathlon weekend), and what I’d tweak (extending the sessions to five hours instead of four to allow for more breathing room).
I also reflect on the deeper reasons for hosting an in-person event. Yes, we made an 85% profit margin (even after flying in my VA from the Philippines!), but the real ROI was in the deeper connections, client retention, elevated authority and unforgettable client experiences. From people re-signing to Scale School, to hiring my new team member straight from the retreat, to clients making best friends and planning future collaborations—it all happened because of the room we created together.
To close, I share the three biggest lessons I walked away with:
- It’s way easier to make money online—but in-person experiences are about so much more than revenue.
- The value of a retreat is in the authority, client loyalty, and content it creates—not just the income.
- The most powerful part of a retreat is the relationships. That’s what people remember. That’s what changes lives.
If you’ve ever thought about running a retreat or scaling your business in a more spacious and sustainable way, this episode gives you everything I wish I’d known and everything I’m so glad I did.
