EP 276 The Secret Retreat Venue You've Been Sleeping On - Cinnamon Shore, Texas
Release Date: 06/25/2026
Throwback Thursday: The Real Reasons Your Retreat Isn't Selling Out
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Why isn't your retreat filling? It's one of the questions I get asked more than any other. And while marketing has changed dramatically since this episode first aired-with AI, SEO, and new ways people discover retreats-the core reasons retreats don't fill are surprisingly the same. That's why I'm bringing back this Throwback Thursday episode. In this conversation, I break down the most common reasons retreat leaders struggle to enroll guests and, more importantly, what you can do about it. We cover everything from mindset and messaging to marketing, pricing, and positioning because filling a...
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Throwback Thursday: The Retreat Hosting Lessons That Never Go Out of Style
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Some retreat lessons never go out of style. In this Throwback Thursday episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail revisits one of her favorite conversations with Chelle Swierz, founder of Topia Boutique Retreat Center in Baja California Sur, Mexico. While marketing trends, AI, and visibility strategies continue to evolve, the core principles of creating exceptional retreat experiences remain the same. In this conversation, Chelle shares the common mistakes she sees retreat leaders make—and many of them are still happening today. From poor guest preparation and...
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Throwback Thursday: The Retreat Pricing Mistake That's Costing You Thousands with Erin Haag
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
This week's Throwback Thursday episode tackles one of the biggest challenges facing retreat leaders today: Pricing. Because let's be honest... Most retreat leaders aren't struggling because they don't know how to host a great retreat. They're struggling because they're underpricing their expertise, their experiences, and the transformation they provide. In this popular episode, Shannon Jamail sits down with retreat pricing expert Erin Haag to discuss the difference between attracting price shoppers and attracting value-driven buyers. Together they explore why so many retreat leaders:...
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Throwback Thursday: What If Your Retreat Could Be Worth $55,000? A Conversation on Confidence, Conviction & Premium Retreats with Kyera Kacey
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
This week's Throwback Thursday episode is one that will challenge your thinking. And that's exactly why I'm bringing it back. In this powerful conversation, Shannon Jamail sits down with Kyera Kacey, a bold entrepreneur, speaker, and retreat leader known for helping people break through limitations around money, confidence, and self-worth. Love her approach or disagree with parts of it, one thing is certain: Kyera challenges retreat leaders to think bigger. Much bigger. In this episode, Kyera shares how she launched and sold out her first retreat in Ireland, then went on to host luxury...
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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...
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.