How To Run Profitable Retreats

How To Run Profitable Retreats is a heart-centered podcast hosted by Leni Cavazos, designed to empower you to create retreats that are not only profitable but deeply meaningful. In each episode, Leni shares insights and strategies to help you craft retreat experiences that are transformational for your clients and rewarding for yourself. With a focus on authenticity, community, and intention, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to create impactful retreats that leave a lasting impact. Each episode features interviews with successful retreat leaders, as well as solo episodes.

From Self-Doubt to Leading Retreats: Helping Women Step Into Their Voice with Amy Leffler 05/07/2026

From Self-Doubt to Leading Retreats: Helping Women Step Into Their Voice with Amy Leffler 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 experience in human resources and organizational leadership, Amy shares what it looked like to be successful on paper… while still feeling like she didn’t belong in the room. From corporate boardrooms to retreat spaces, this conversation dives into the real work behind stepping into leadership: self-worth, visibility, and the courage to be seen. This episode is part of our speaker series for the Sellout Retreat Summit, and Amy’s story is a powerful reminder that building a retreat business doesn’t start with logistics, it starts with identity. Inside this episode, we explore: ▪️ Why confidence and self-worth are foundational to retreat leadership ▪️ The connection between visibility and attracting the right retreat clients ▪️ How showing up online shapes trust before your retreat even begins ▪️ The truth about building a retreat business while still working a corporate job ▪️ Why success in retreats is built through consistency, not overnight wins ▪️ How one decision to “be seen” can open unexpected opportunities Amy also shares her personal turning point after attending the Sellout Retreat Summit, and how choosing visibility completely changed the trajectory of her business. If you’ve been holding back, waiting to feel “ready,” or wondering if you have what it takes to lead a retreat… this episode will challenge that narrative. ❕ Because your retreat doesn’t start when you arrive at the venue, it starts the moment you decide to lead. 🖤 🎧 Listen now and step into the version of you your future clients are already looking for. Connect with today’s guest: Amy Leffler If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who’s ready to step into their next level of leadership, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review. 🎧💬 Plan a Profitable Retreat Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need: → → → → → → /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/41053640

From Inspiration to Implementation: The Missing Piece in Retreats Bridget James Ling 04/30/2026

From Inspiration to Implementation: The Missing Piece in Retreats Bridget James Ling 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, identity shifts, and real results inside in-person experiences. Bridget shares why she once said “I hate retreats”… and how that perspective led her to design events that generate million-dollar months, deep breakthroughs, and immediate implementation. We talk about: ▪️ Why most retreats fail to create lasting change ▪️ The difference between a retreat, a mastermind, and an expansion experience ▪️ How being “in the room” rewires your identity faster than anything online ▪️ The real reason people leave events inspired… but don’t implement ▪️ How to design experiences that create momentum, not just emotions ▪️ Why selling at your event is not optional, it’s your responsibility I also share my own journey, from building luxury experiences with brands like Marriott to discovering why 80% of retreat leaders don’t profit, and what needs to change. This episode will challenge how you think about retreats, events, and what it really means to create transformation that lasts. If you’re building (or thinking about building) a retreat, this is a conversation you need to hear. 🎧 Connect with Bridget: Instagram: @bridgetjamesling 🎟️ Get your tickets for Freedom Queen Live: ✨ Want to learn how to build a profitable retreat business? Join my free masterclass: If you loved this episode, share it and leave a rating, it helps more retreat leaders build experiences that actually change lives. 🖤🎧 Plan a Profitable Retreat Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need: → → → → → → /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/41053145

The Awakening of the Dimensional Leader with Dr. Aimee Harris 04/23/2026

The Awakening of the Dimensional Leader with Dr. Aimee Harris 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 transformational programs, Dr. Aimee brings a perspective that is both highly strategic and deeply human. We talk about why true wellness cannot be separated into neat little boxes, and how emotional, physical, social, workplace, financial, and spiritual well-being all influence each other more than most people realize. Dr. Aimee shares how her work evolved beyond traditional clinical models into a more complete, multidimensional approach that helps people identify where they are out of balance and what needs support. Inside this episode, we explore: ▪️ Why wellness must be approached as an interconnected system ▪️ What the Dimensional Wellness Matrix is and how it helps identify imbalance ▪️ Why corporate wellness is a massive opportunity for retreat leaders ▪️ What companies are really looking for when they invest in wellness experiences This conversation is especially powerful if you want to create retreats and experiences that go beyond inspiration and lead to measurable transformation. 🎧 Listen in to hear how Dr. Aimee is redefining wellness leadership through a more complete and integrated lens. Connect with Dr. Aimee Harris: Ready to build retreats that are aligned, strategic, and profitable? Join my free masterclass here: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it and leave a rating for the show 🖤🎧💭 Plan a Profitable Retreat Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need: → → → → → → /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/40966835

Why Most Retreats Fail (And How to Design Profitable, Sold-Out Experiences) with Sheri A. Rosenthal 04/16/2026

What Broadway Can Teach You About Irresistible Offers 04/09/2026

What Broadway Can Teach You About Irresistible Offers 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 learn how to design an offer that feels clear, compelling, and impossible to ignore, without adding more bonuses, more complexity, or more noise. ⬛️ We dive into: ▪️ The “Power of One Thing” and how focus drives demand ▪️ The Broadway Method: filters, seasons, scarcity, and pricing tiers ▪️ How to create urgency that actually feels real (and converts) ▪️ A 9-step blueprint to build your own irresistible offer This isn’t about doing more. It’s about designing smarter. When your offer is structured the right way, selling becomes a natural outcome, not a constant struggle. 🖤 If you’ve been tweaking your messaging, adding more bonuses, or second-guessing your pricing… this episode will shift how you see your entire business. 💭 Imagine this: A clear audience. A defined season. Limited seats. Tiered pricing. A transformation people can repeat in one sentence. That’s how offers sell. ❕ Ready to build your own? Join my free Sold Out & Profitable Masterclass, where I walk you through the exact structure behind retreats that generate $25K–$100K in profit. Save your seat here: 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone building their retreat business and leave a rating, it helps more people step into profitable, sustainable offers. Because transformation without profit isn’t sustainable… and when you learn to sell like Broadway, everything changes. Plan a Profitable Retreat Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need: → → → → → → /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/40793250

The International Retreats Association with Holly Porter 03/26/2026

The Hidden Harmony Behind Transformational Retreats with Agathe Lazaro 03/12/2026

How Niching Down Filled This Retreat with Matthew Brandt 02/12/2026

How Niching Down Filled This Retreat with Matthew Brandt 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 retreats with heart, and learning (sometimes the hard way) how clarity, positioning, and niching down create momentum. You’ll hear how: ▪️ His first retreat barely filled, then a single shift led to 75 women on a waitlist in one week ▪️ Niching within a niche unlocked demand, confidence, and sustainability ▪️ Trauma-informed retreat design is not optional, it’s essential ▪️ Listening to your audience can radically transform your business ▪️ A small, boutique retreat model can scale into international retreats and property ownership Matthew also shares deeply human stories from the retreat space, from women arriving terrified and ready to leave… to sitting around the fire hours later saying, “I don’t want to go home.” We talk about leadership, safety, trust, resilience, and why passion alone is not enough, systems are what allow your mission to grow. This episode is a must-listen for retreat leaders who: ▪️ Feel called to do meaningful work ▪️ Want proof that strategy and heart can coexist ▪️ Are ready to refine their niche and scale responsibly ▪️ Believe retreats should heal, not create more trauma 👀 How to Connect With Today’s Guest ▪️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacticalretreatunplugged/ ▪️ Website: http://www.tacticalretreat.org ⬛️ Book: Footsteps of the Soul: A Veteran’s Quest for Healing and Purpose Along the Camino de Santiago https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/footsteps-of-the-soul-matthew-g-brandt/1147720207 🎧 If you loved this episode, share it & leave a rating, it helps more retreat leaders find this work. 🖤 Plan a Profitable Retreat Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need: → → → → → → /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/40024740

Sell Like a Woman with Christi Kendall 02/05/2026

Content that Converts using AI with Louis Swart 01/29/2026

How to Turn Your Retreats Into a Scalable Profit Machine 01/22/2026

How to Get More Clients and Build JV Partnerships with Nyrie Roos 01/15/2026

Six-Figure Retreat Business: Pillar 5 - Types of retreats 01/08/2026

The Publishing Industry Reality: Why book sales alone aren’t enough for financial freedom with Timothy Flemming Jr 12/18/2025

The Publishing Industry Reality: Why book sales alone aren’t enough for financial freedom with Timothy Flemming Jr 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 the business. It’s the doorway into the business. In this eye‑opening episode, Timothy and Leni break down: ▪️ Why most authors don’t struggle with writing — they struggle with what comes next ◼️ How your book becomes a gateway into coaching programs, retreats, events, and long‑term client relationships ◾️ The ONE THING every profitable entrepreneur does (and why trying to help everyone keeps you broke and burned out) ✒️ How Timothy and his wife turned one book into a coaching program, a signature event, and a retreat that attracts attendees from all over the world ⬛️ The mindset shift every expert must make to turn their message into a scalable business ▫️ The #1 mistake that keeps authors overwhelmed, underpaid, and hidden Leni and Timothy also dive into niching, messaging, transformation‑based offers, and the real reason “casting a wide net” kills your momentum. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your book or expertise into a profitable retreat, coaching program, or transformational ecosystem — this episode is your blueprint. How to Reach Today’s Guest: Facebook: YouTube: Website: Join Timothy Free Masterclass → Join Leni: If you love this episode, please share it & leave a rating 🖤 Plan a Profitable Retreat Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need: → → → → → → /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/39184025

The Reset Formula: How to Refuel Before You Burn Out with Marisa Wong 12/11/2025

Six-Figure Retreat Business: Pillar 4 - Scale for profit 12/04/2025

Truly Transformational Travel with Christopher Hill 11/27/2025

Six-Figure Retreat Business: Pillar 3 - Sell for Profit 11/20/2025

Six-Figure Retreat Business: Pillar 3 - Sell for Profit 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 real business… not a passion project, not a hobby, and definitely not a “hope the universe provides” operation. Leni breaks down: ◾️ Why transformative retreats STILL need profit to survive ◾️ The difference between marketing and sales (and why both matter) ◾️ The story of a retreat leader who accidentally priced away her entire profit margin ◾️ How boundaries, pricing integrity, and sales systems protect your business ◽️ Why 98% of your sales happen in the FOLLOW‑UP — not the sales call ⬛️ How to think like an investor when designing your retreat business ◻️ The crucial question every host must ask: Am I running a business or a hobby? Leni also shares her behind‑the‑scenes experience running revenue strategies for global brands — including how a single report helped increase outside‑guest restaurant revenue by 36% at the Ritz‑Carlton Dubai — and why these same principles apply to your retreat business today. If you’re ready to stop “winging it” and start building a profitable, scalable sales ecosystem for your retreats, this pillar is essential. 💭 Want to go deeper? Join Leni’s upcoming masterclass to learn how to move from retreat dreaming into retreat profitability. ➤ Book a call if you're ready to scale: ➤ Get the book: If you like this episode, share it & give us a rating 🖤⚪️🎧🕑 Plan a Profitable Retreat Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need: → → → → → → /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/39083700

The ROI of Comfort: How guest-centered design drives referrals and word-of-mouth with Julie Comfort 11/13/2025

Six-Figure Retreat Business: Pillar 2 — Pricing for Profit 11/06/2025

Six‑Figure Retreat Business: Pillar 1 – Design for Profit 10/30/2025

Money mindset for retreat leaders with Shannon Ryan 10/23/2025

Six‑Figure Retreat Business 10/16/2025

Retreat Venue Red Flags: What to Watch for Before You Book with Shannon Jamail 10/09/2025

From Ordinary to Extraordinary: The Power of Retreats with Dr. Lori McDowell 09/25/2025

How to Plan & Price a Profitable Retreat: Avoid the 80% Who Lose Money 09/05/2025

How to Plan & Price a Profitable Retreat: Avoid the 80% Who Lose Money Ready to turn your retreat dream into a six-figure revenue stream—without a huge audience? In this masterclass from the Wild Woman with Impact Summit, retreat strategist Leni Cavazos (The Retreat Planner) reveals the exact system she’s used to help coaches, healers, and entrepreneurs sell out retreats, build waitlists, and keep 30–50%+ profit margins. 👉 Join the next Sold Out & Profitable Retreats Challenge (live, 4 hours): Build your profitable retreat plan in one session: pricing for profit, magnetic messaging, and a rinse-and-repeat sales strategy. What you’ll learn Why 80% of retreat leaders lose money (and how to avoid it) Pricing for profit before you ever book a venue Crafting results-oriented, magnetic messaging (no more “Relax & Reset in Bali”) How to pre-sell and build a waitlist so retreats stop being risky Real examples: 76-person waitlist, 21 guests to Spain, quarterly sell-outs Who this is for Coaches, experts, consultants, speakers, and creators who want profitable, repeatable retreats that elevate their brand and feed their offers, all with clear systems and loyalty marketing baked in. Join the challenge: (Spots limited. Designed to get your pricing, plan, and sales map done.) About Leni Leni has 18+ years in hospitality and global events (The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Bonvoy) and builds loyalty-driven retreat businesses for clients worldwide. Timestamps 00:00 Intro & poll: Dreamers, hosts, and goals for today 02:15 The opportunity: retreats as a six-figure revenue stream 05:02 Why most leaders lose money (the 80% problem) 08:20 Leni’s background (Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Bonvoy, global events) 12:55 The mindset shift: retreats are a business model, not a hobby 16:18 Mistake #1: Booking venues before you can sell 18:40 Mistake #2: Pricing by gut vs. pricing for profit 22:05 Mistake #3: Selling a vacation, not a transformation 25:10 The system overview: pricing → messaging → 22-way sales plan → waitlist 28:45 You don’t need a huge audience (you need clarity & systems) 32:04 BHAG moment & creating flexibility inside a proven framework 38:44 Case Study #1 (Christi): covering profit before the event 41:25 Q&A: upsells, waitlists, and loyalty marketing 45:21 Advanced: building waitlists & pre-sale momentum 49:00 Case Study #2 (Matthew): 21 to Spain + 76-person waitlist 52:20 Case Study #3 (Tiffany): quarterly sell-outs + one luxury retreat 55:10 Your next step: the Sold Out & Profitable Retreats Challenge 59:30 Logistics & live Q&A wrap If this sparked your retreat dream, make it real. Join the Sold Out & Profitable Retreats Challenge (live, 4 hours) and leave with your pricing, messaging, and sales plan done: Questions about pricing, venues, or waitlists? Drop them below and I’ll reply. /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/38105520

Retreats That Sell: Intuition, pricing & loyalty that fill the room with Retreat pannel 08/28/2025

Retreats That Sell: Intuition, pricing & loyalty that fill the room with Retreat pannel What really makes a retreat sell out? Is it your intuition? Your brand? Your pricing? Or your ability to hold the vision even when sales feel slow? In this special panel episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sat down with an extraordinary circle of retreat leaders and industry experts—including Abby Gooch, Liesel Albrecht, Kellie Sabas, Victoria Shaw, Sil Eiler, and Malvina Messler—for an unfiltered conversation on what it takes to run a retreat that not only transforms lives… but also generates real profit. 🖤 We go beyond the fluff and dive into the strategic AND soulful pieces of the puzzle: Why 90% of first-time retreat leaders never host a second retreat (and how to avoid being one of them) The biggest pricing mistake that keeps soulful women stuck and broke The #1 marketing myth retreat leaders fall for—and what actually drives conversions Intuition vs. data: when to follow your gut and when to let your KPIs lead The sacred power of loyalty marketing and building repeat retreat clients Why retreat selling is not just about having a pretty location (hint: it’s about YOU) Whether you’re a retreat dreamer or a seasoned facilitator looking to scale, this conversation is your compass. 👀 Bonus: We also reveal the details (and deep discounts!) for the upcoming Sell Out Retreats Summit in San Diego, happening October 4–5, 2025. You’ll want to be in the room. 🎟️ Join us in San Diego: ✨ Use Coupon Code RETREATLEADER for $200 OFF! 💭 If this episode inspired you, share it, rate it, or send it to a retreat leader who needs it. 🖤 Let’s build transformational businesses that last. Plan a Profitable Retreat Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need: → → → → → → /episode/index/show/1b255004-e156-42d5-a381-7ab83dc5dbce/id/37988645

From Fear to Fulfillment: Launching Your First Retreat with Brent McCan 08/21/2025

When Love Meets Entrepreneurship: Matchmaking for Busy Professionals with Rebecca Norton 08/14/2025

Turning Personal Transformation into Sacred Leadership with Crystal Lynn Bell 08/07/2025

How To Run Profitable Retreats

TOPICS