What actually happens when you say “yes” to a women’s real estate retreat where you barely know anyone? Most people assume it’s all networking and small talk, but the reality is much deeper. It’s about the moment you stop overthinking and start showing up for yourself.

In this episode, I’m joined by my friends from the Outer Banks Girlfriends & Growth Rereat– Sue, Shae, Karey, and Jamie. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it really feels like to trade the daily grind for a house full of strangers and leave with a tribe.

We talk about:

• From five-minute "just booked it" moments to following a gut feeling, how each woman pushed past the "introvert's anxiety" to get into the room.
• How a simple hallway conversation can spark an entirely new revenue stream or a "true north" business realignment.
• Why we designed a retreat that prioritizes breathing room over back-to-back PowerPoints.
• Using the retreat to turn scattered ideas into actionable structures—from team building to smarter automations.
• How these women are using tools like Notion and AI to document processes and clarify their guest avatars without losing the human touch.

But this isn't just a recap of a trip. It’s about the courage to invest in yourself. We dive into the emotional side of growth, navigating the "grumpy" voice of self-doubt and balancing businesses with families and W-2 jobs. You’ll hear why shared values in real estate and hospitality can turn a house of strangers into a powerful support system in less than a weekend.

If you’ve ever wondered if a retreat is "for you" or if you’re too new, too seasoned, or just too busy, this conversation is your honest, unfiltered answer. Get ready to discover why stepping into the right room is the fastest way to find the clarity and momentum you’ve been looking for.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[01:32] A short introduction about our guests Sue, Shay, Carrie, & Jamie, and their experiences at a recent Girlfriends & Growth Retreat in the Outer Banks

[04:42] Sue shares deciding quickly to attend the Girlfriends and Growth retreat

[06:55] Shay’s experience when she first heard about the Girlfriends & Growth and shares that her decision to attend the retreat came from a place of curiosity mixed with hesitation

[09:43] Jamie shares that her decision to attend the Girlfriends & Growth retreat was driven primarily by intuition

[10:51] Carrie’s initial reaction to the retreat concept was skeptical, particularly about hosting it at the beach during winter

[14:54] Sue talks about her experience when arriving at a house full of women she didn’t know and how she navigated the initial discomfort

[17:40] Jamie reflects on walking into the retreat and feeling completely at ease, even though she didn’t know who she would connect with

[19:21] Shay’s experience on stepping into the retreat feeling a little shy and uncertain, worried that everyone else might have more in common or be more experienced since she no longer hosts

[21:51] How Carrie’s takeaways from the Outer Banks retreat are shaping a more flexible, intentional experience in Pigeon Forge

[28:13] Jamie explains that the retreat helped her clarify and organize the next steps for her business, particularly around building foundational systems, automations, and processes

[32:00] How Sue used the retreat to refocus on guest experience, processes, and collaborative innovation

[36:39] How Shay discovered the value of technology and the power of a supportive industry tribe

[38:38] Carrie emphasizes the joy of watching 25 strangers enter a retreat and leave as a connected tribe, having shared experiences and exchanged contact information

[41:02] Jamie advises trusting both gut and logic when making retreat decisions, especially for those who may not feel their intuition guiding them

[42:39] Shay advises anyone on the fence about attending a retreat to just go, emphasizing that it’s a net gain no matter the outcome

[43:52] Sue encourages silencing self-doubt and embracing the investment in oneself

[45:05] The importance of mastering mindset, silencing “Grumpy Greg,” and paying it forward

Golden Nuggets:

• “Being surrounded by smart women in real estate, but also just having sound boards you know, to be able to share ideas and get perspective in a non threatening, non judgmental environment, I think is so helpful.”
• “Just having alone time in my room to think and process the things that I've learned is incredibly helpful for me to be able to walk away from that retreat and walk away with an action plan.”
• “If anyone is thinking about making decisions, it is a breeding ground for the type of collaboration and brainstorming that you really need to not be stuck in making your own decisions.”
• “The more skilled that we can become at controlling those voices and controlling our mindset, the stronger we are, as women, as individuals, as entrepreneurs.”

Join Our Next Retreat: https://bit.ly/4bPybnW

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