EP 276 The Secret Retreat Venue You've Been Sleeping On - Cinnamon Shore, Texas
Release Date: 06/25/2026
EP 277 Why Being in the Room Changes Everything: Lessons from the Retreat Industry Forum
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
The Retreat Industry Forum is over... And I'm still getting messages. Every week, retreat leaders, venue owners, and wellness entrepreneurs are reaching out asking: "When is the next one?" "How do I get on the waitlist?" "I heard it was incredible. Are you doing it again?" But here's what's interesting: Most people aren't asking about the presentations. They're talking about the conversations. The connections. The collaborations. The feeling of being surrounded by people who understand this industry and are actively building something meaningful. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders...
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EP 276 The Secret Retreat Venue You've Been Sleeping On - Cinnamon Shore, Texas
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
What if your next retreat venue was a walkable, luxury beach community on the Texas Coast — fully furnished, photographer-ready, and designed to make your attendees feel like they're living in a neighborhood instead of checking into a hotel? In this episode, Shannon sits down with Lee Ann Peters, the powerhouse behind Cinnamon Shore — a New Urbanist luxury beach community on the Texas Coast that has become one of Southern Living's Top 10 Beach Towns in the United States. Lee Ann left a successful Atlanta real estate career in the middle of the Great Recession to build something most people...
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EP 275 Retreat Leaders vs Venue Owners: The Disconnect Costing You Money
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
If you’re building a retreat business, this episode is required listening. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Catherine Kontos, founder of RetreatBoss, RetreatMatch, and RetreatBoss Magazine, to talk about what it actually takes to build a sustainable and profitable retreat business. With over 14 years in the industry-and a background acquiring and selling over 100 businesses and properties-Catherine brings a level of real business strategy that most of this industry is missing. This conversation about the realities of running retreats as a...
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EP 274 Why Your Retreat Isn’t Filling (Even Though You’re Posting Every Day)
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
If you’re posting every day and your retreat still isn’t filling…You’re not alone. But you are likely focusing on the wrong thing. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail breaks down the real reasons your retreat isn’t filling-even when you feel like you’re “doing all the things” on social media. Posting is not a strategy Visibility takes time to build And most retreat leaders don’t give it enough time Shannon walks through the biggest mistakes retreat leaders make when it comes to marketing and visibility-and what to do instead if you actually...
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EP 273 How Venue Networks & Influencers Are Changing the Industry with Anna VanAgtmael
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
If you’ve ever felt like hosting a retreat is way more complicated than it should be… You’re not wrong. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with returning guest Anna VanAgtmael to talk about what’s broken in the retreat industry-and what she’s building to fix it. Because right now: 👉 Retreat leaders have the audience but not the logistics 👉 Venues have the space but can’t fill it consistently 👉 And everyone is trying to figure it out on their own Anna shares her new venture-a curated retreat center directory and collaboration with Tiny...
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EP 272 Reinvention Isn’t Optional: The Inner Work Behind Building the Life (and Retreat Business) You Actually Want with Dr. Kim Dang
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
If you’ve ever felt like: your dreams are “too big” you’re “too much” or you know you’re capable of more… but you’re not living it yet This episode is for you. In this in-studio episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Dr. Kim Dang, a mathematician, reinvention strategist, and founder who has rebuilt her life and career multiple times-from Yale professor to entrepreneur in the retreat and knowledge space. Dr. Kim flew in from New York to record this conversation live in Austin-and it goes deep. This isn’t just about retreats. This is about the...
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EP 271 From Zero to 70 Leads in 24 Hours: Unlocking Meta Ads for Retreat Leaders with Jaymie Tarshis
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
What if one focused day could completely change how you market your retreat business? In this episode, Shannon sits down with Jaymie Tarshis - aka The Ad Expert - a digital marketing strategist with over a decade of experience helping businesses scale using Facebook and Meta ads. Jaymie flew from San Diego to Retreat Ranch for a VIP day with Shannon's team, and the results were jaw-dropping: over 70 new leads in less than 24 hours. Shannon and Jaymie pull back the curtain on exactly what happened during that VIP day - from building a custom ad strategy from scratch, to crafting compelling...
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Special Release | From Dream to Dirt - How We Built Retreat Ranch From Scratch
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
What does it actually take to build a retreat center from scratch? The land, the structures, the permits, the parking, the storage, the vision - and the marriage that has to survive all of it? In this episode, Shannon sits down with her husband Nathan Jamail - world-renowned leadership and sales keynote speaker, and co-owner of Retreat Ranch - to pull back the curtain on the real journey of building one of Texas Hill Country's most unique retreat destinations. This is not a highlight reel. This is the honest, practical, sometimes hard-won story of what it takes to go from a dream to a...
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EP 270 Retreat Insurance: What Every Retreat Leader Must Know with Event Helper
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Let’s talk about something most retreat leaders avoid… until they absolutely can’t. Insurance. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Myles Anderson from Event Helper, an insurance provider specializing in events and retreats, to break down why insurance is not optional in the retreat industry - it’s essential. Because here’s the reality: You are responsible for people’s safety, experiences, and well-being during your retreat. And without the right coverage in place, one incident can put your entire business - and personal assets - at risk. In...
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EP 269 Why Glamping and Retreats Are the Perfect Pair (And What Retreat Leaders Need to Know) with Sarah Riley
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
The retreat industry is evolving - and one of the biggest opportunities right now sits at the intersection of glamping and retreats. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Sarah Riley, a UK-based glamping industry expert and co-organizer of The Glamping Show America, to explore how glamping and retreats are becoming one of the most powerful combinations in experiential hospitality. Sarah has been working in the glamping and retreat space since 2010, helping entrepreneurs launch lifestyle businesses and navigate the realities of building glamping sites -...
info_outlineWhat if your next retreat venue was a walkable, luxury beach community on the Texas Coast — fully furnished, photographer-ready, and designed to make your attendees feel like they're living in a neighborhood instead of checking into a hotel?
In this episode, Shannon sits down with Lee Ann Peters, the powerhouse behind Cinnamon Shore — a New Urbanist luxury beach community on the Texas Coast that has become one of Southern Living's Top 10 Beach Towns in the United States. Lee Ann left a successful Atlanta real estate career in the middle of the Great Recession to build something most people said couldn't be done. 700+ residences later, she's still building — and retreat leaders are starting to take notice.
Shannon shares her own experience hosting a sold-out (and oversold!) retreat at Cinnamon Shore — and breaks down exactly why this community works so well for retreat business planning. From scalable home rentals and built-in community amenities to a luxury aesthetic that elevates your retreat brand without the resort price tag, this episode is packed with practical inspiration for retreat leaders ready to think differently about venue selection.
In this episode:
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Why Cinnamon Shore is an underrated goldmine for retreat leaders
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How to scale your retreat from intimate to large by renting multiple adjacent homes
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The New Urbanist design philosophy that creates a built-in retreat environment
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Why a Texas beach retreat is a surprisingly powerful niche with massive market reach
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How the right venue elevates your retreat brand and drives word-of-mouth
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The support system at Cinnamon Shore that makes hosting effortless for retreat leaders
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Lee Ann's story of building a legacy community from the ground up — and what retreat leaders can learn from her vision
If you've been searching for a venue that does the heavy lifting for your retreat experience, this episode is your sign.
Learn more at CinnamonShore.com
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TIMESTAMPS
The Story of Cinnamon Shore (00:01:13) Leanne Peters' journey of building the Cinnamon Shore community on the Texas coast, starting in 2007 during the recession.
A Personal Connection (00:01:53) Shannon shares her personal history with Cinnamon Shore and the success of her first retreat hosted at the location.
Building a Community (00:02:22) Leanne discusses the team effort and vision behind Cinnamon Shore, aiming to replicate the popular 30A Florida experience in Texas.
Cinnamon Shore vs. 30A (00:04:42) A comparison between Cinnamon Shore and Florida's 30A, highlighting Cinnamon Shore's strong community feel and accessibility for Texans.
On-Site Amenities (00:07:17) Discussion of the numerous amenities available, including restaurants, pools, fitness centers, live music, and a new on-site market.
A Perfect Retreat Location (00:11:34) Shannon explains why Cinnamon Shore is ideal for retreats, citing its aesthetic, diverse activities, and broad appeal beyond Texas.
Hosting Events at Cinnamon Shore (00:13:19) Leanne describes a successful owners-only women's event, showcasing the community's capacity for hosting organized group activities and events.
Versatile Accommodations for Retreats (00:14:10) The variety of luxury rental homes available, from small condos to large houses, accommodating different retreat sizes and needs.
Exceptional Guest Support (00:16:39) Praise for the helpful and responsive on-site team that assists with logistics, recommendations, and any issues that may arise.
Building Relationships (00:19:58) The ability for guests and retreat leaders to build a relationship with specific homes and the staff, ensuring consistent experiences.
Prestigious Show Homes (00:22:03) Leanne highlights Cinnamon Shore's history with Southern Living, Coastal Living, and Texas Monthly show homes, elevating the community's profile.
Accessibility and Travel (00:27:31) The ease of getting to Cinnamon Shore via nearby airports in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Austin, including private options.
Future Developments (00:28:27) An overview of upcoming developments in both Cinnamon Shore North and South, including new restaurants and a town square.
Invaluable Resources for Hosts (00:30:25) The benefit of using the staff's vetted recommendations for services like private chefs, photographers, and other local vendors.
A Desirable Family Destination (00:32:46) Shannon shares how her own family now prefers vacationing at Cinnamon Shore over other popular destinations like Disney cruises.