How To Run Profitable Retreats

What makes a retreat truly transformational? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Liesel Albrecht, founder of The Retreat Specialist and creator of the Nine-Layered Retreat Design Framework. With more than 34 years of experience leading retreats, Liesel shares what it takes to create meaningful experiences while building a retreat business that is both impactful and s...

What happens when men are finally given a space where they don't have to perform, fix everything, or carry the weight of the world on their shoulders? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Brent McCann, founder of True North Men's Retreats, to explore why men's retreats are growing so quickly and the incredible transformations that happen when men feel safe enough to s...

What if the biggest mistake new retreat leaders make has nothing to do with the venue, marketing, or even filling the room? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm sharing the five foundations every first-time retreat host needs to build a retreat business that is both transformational and profitable. Too many incredible coaches, healers, and facilitators create beautiful experience...

What does it really take to write a book that positions you as the authority, not just another story on a shelf? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, Leni Cavazos sits down with Tina Kapp-Kailea, international best-selling author, publisher, embodiment coach, and TEDx speaker, to unpack the truth about authorship in today's AI-driven world. This conversation goes far beyond "write yo...

What if hosting a retreat wasn't just about the experience, but about expanding your impact, deepening client relationships, and building a more profitable business model? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Amanda Hietter, CEO of Across the Horizon Travel and creator of Heat Up Your Retreats. Amanda supports coaches, pastors, and business leaders in designing transf...

Most retreat leaders say they want to "give back." But what if the way you're doing it… is actually hurting your business? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm joined by Lori McDowell, transformational strategist, retreat curator, and author of The Re-Invention Mindset, to break down a powerful (and often misunderstood) concept in the retreat space: You cannot give from a busines...

What does it really take to lead a retreat, especially when you're still questioning your own voice? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, Leni Cavazos sits down with Amy Leffler, life and business coach, retreat facilitator, and co-founder of Be Well Ladies Retreats, to explore the internal shift that every retreat leader must make before anything else works. With over 20 years of ex...

What if the reason your retreat, or event, isn't creating real transformation… is the way you're framing it? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Bridget James Ling, founder of Freedom Queen and creator of one of the fastest-growing global movements for women building high-impact, high-profit businesses. We go beyond the surface of "retreats" and unpack what actually creates momentum, id...

What if wellness wasn't just about one area of life, but about the full picture of how we live, lead, work, and connect? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm joined by Dr. Aimee Harris, founder of Dimensional Wellness and creator of the Dimensional Wellness Matrix. With a PhD in corporate wellness and a deep background in leadership development, employee well-being, and transform...

What actually makes a retreat successful… and why do so many fail? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm joined by Sheri A. Rosenthal, a leader in the retreat industry who has designed and led over 1,000 retreats worldwide. Together, we break down what it really takes to create retreats that are not only transformational, but also profitable and sustainable. We talk about: ▪️ Why...

What if your retreats sold the way Broadway shows do, months in advance, at multiple price points, with built-in demand? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm breaking down the exact mechanics behind how theater producers consistently sell out shows… and how you can apply the same strategy to your offers. Because Broadway isn't lucky. It's engineered. Inside this episode, you'll l...

What if the retreat industry had global standards, real support, and a space where leaders didn't have to figure everything out alone? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Holly Porter, retreat industry visionary and founder of the International Retreats Association, to talk about the future of this rapidly growing space and what it actually takes to build retreats th...

What makes a retreat truly transformational? In this episode, Leni Cavazos sits down with Agathe Lazaro, designer, retreat space curator, and founder of sacred retreat properties in Provence, France and Pondicherry, India, to explore the deeper layers of retreat creation. This conversation bridges the worlds of hospitality, neuroscience, sensory intelligence, and retreat leadership, revealing why...

What happens when passion meets structure, and the right niche changes everything? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Matthew Brandt, founder of Tactical Retreats, retired law enforcement officer, Navy veteran, and retreat leader creating life-changing experiences for veterans and first responders. Matthew shares his real, behind-the-scenes journey of launching retr...

Selling your retreat shouldn't feel pushy, awkward, or "icky." In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm sharing a powerful segment from the Sold Out & Profitable Retreats Masterclass featuring Christi Kendall on how to sell like a woman — with presence, confidence, connection, and zero pressure. Inside, you'll learn: ▪️ The 5 feminine sales shifts that make selling feel natural ▪️ Wh...

Content shouldn't drain you, it should grow your retreat business. In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Louis Swart, founder of Ironbrij, to talk about how retreat leaders and coaches can create content that converts using AI, without burnout or inconsistency. We break down why most people are overwhelmed by content, how AI can support (not replace) your voice, and wh...

What if your retreat wasn't just a beautiful experience… but a business asset that prints profit every single year? In this high-impact solo episode, Leni Cavazos — retreat strategist and founder of The Six-Figure Retreat System — breaks down the exact framework she uses to help coaches, healers, and entrepreneurs transform their retreats into repeatable revenue. Here's what you'll walk away with:...

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, host Leni Cavazos is joined by Nyrie Roos, co-founder of Explosion Marketing, for a value-packed conversation on two key growth levers for retreat leaders and online entrepreneurs: client-generating webinars and strategic JV partnerships. With over $20M in revenue supported and experience leading teams of 100+, Nyrie brings proven insights into ho...

Welcome back to How to Run Profitable Retreats. I'm your host, Leni Cavazos, and today we're diving into something no one's talking about in the retreat world—what kind of retreat are you actually running? Most people assume retreats have to be yoga, detox, or wellness. But that's just one tiny slice of what's possible. In this episode, we're unpacking: ◾️ The wide variety of retreat types—from f...

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, host Leni Cavazos sits down with publishing expert and Kingdom Launchpad founder Timothy Flemming Jr. for a powerful conversation that every author, coach, and retreat leader needs to hear. Timothy has spent over a decade helping hundreds of authors publish their books — but what he discovered is the truth most writers never hear: The book is not...

Ready for a reset? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with the powerhouse behind over 250 global transformational retreats and experiences — Marisa Wong, CEO & Founder of MW Experiences. Marisa has designed experiences for Fortune 100 brands, elite executives, global leaders, and high‑performing teams… but what makes her work extraordinary is her philosophy: people don't...

In this bonus expert episode, host Leni Cavazos breaks down Pillar 4 of the Six-Figure Retreat Business—Scale for Profit. You'll learn: ▪️ The difference between a retreat leader, business, and company ▪️ How to build loyalty that fuels repeat bookings ▪️ Behind-the-scenes lessons from launching Marriott Bonvoy in the Middle East ▪️ What it really means to scale your retreat business without burno...

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, host Leni Cavazos welcomes Christopher Hill, founder of the luxury philanthropic travel brands Hands Up Holidays and Impact Destinations. Together, they explore what it means to combine meaningful service with high-end travel—and how retreat leaders can take notes from this innovative model.   We talk about: ◽️ How luxury travel can integrate rea...

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, host Leni Cavazos takes you into Pillar 3 of building a Six‑Figure Retreat Business: Sell for Profit. If you've ever wondered why your retreats aren't bringing in the income, stability, or sustainability you expected — this episode is your wake‑up call. Selling for profit isn't about being pushy or salesy. It's about treating your retreat like a r...

When was the last time someone told you your retreat felt like magic? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, Leni Cavazos sits down with experience designer and educator Julie Comfort to explore how comfort, emotional journey, and intentional design directly impact your referrals, rebookings, and reputation. Julie shares the overlooked secrets of transformational retreat design, from c...