The Bloom & Grow Show with Amber Housley

Today I'm sitting down with Sage Polaris, consultant, copywriter and VIP Day extraordinaire, to discuss her approach to taking time off in her business and how she was able to double her revenue with VIP days. Sage shares how she's taken four months off every year for the past nine years and has continued to grow her business. Sage shares her insights and strategies for using VIP days as a marketing method and the need to consistently grow your audience in order to maintain the effectiveness of this method.

Takeaways

• Strategically plan your time off in advance to create more white space on your calendar

• Offering VIP days can help consolidate client work and create more flexibility in your schedule

• Referrals and partnerships play a significant role in audience growth

• Tailor your website design to your specific business model

• Provide flexibility for clients in terms of in-person or virtual VIP days

• Offer additional support after the VIP day ends

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Sage: instagram.com/sagepolaris

Learn more: sagepolaris.com

Join me at Bloom & Grow Live: amberhousley.com/bloomandgrow

Learn more about the Blooming Business Inner Circle: amberhousley.com/innercircle

Welcome to summer in the Bloom & Grow Show! Today I'm sharing tips and strategies for growing and thriving in your business during this busy season. I encourage you to embrace the summer season for content creation, hosting summer sales or events, planning for the future, connecting with your community, refreshing your brand, focusing on personal growth, creating summer-themed products, enhancing customer engagement, optimizing operations, and preparing for the back-to-school season.

Takeaways:

• Embrace the summer season for your content creation by incorporating seasonal themes, colors, and visuals.

• Host a summer sale or event to drive engagement and boost sales.

• Use the summer season to plan for the future, including Q3 and Q4 schedules and goals.

• Connect with your community by creating opportunities for networking and socializing.

• Refresh your brand by updating your website, social media profiles, and other branding elements.

• Focus on personal growth and self-care during the summer season.

• Consider creating summer-themed products or offerings to align with the season.

• Enhance customer engagement through contests, giveaways, and encouraging user-generated content.

• Optimize your business operations by streamlining processes and implementing new tools or systems.

• Start preparing for the back-to-school season by planning campaigns and content that cater to the energy and needs of this time.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

Join my Blooming Business Inner Circle: https://amberhousley.com/innercircle

Learn more about Bloom & Grow Live: https://amberhousley.com/bloomandgrowlive

In today's episode, I'm sharing all about my pre-retreat preparation process and how I shift from a business-focused mindset to a warm and welcoming hostess mindset. I'll take you behind the scenes of what I'm doing to prepare for Inspired Retreat, ensuring that when my attendees arrive, I'm ready to create a fantastic experience for them.

Highlights & Takeaways:

• Shifting Mindsets: I discuss the importance of transitioning from focusing on business priorities to creating a welcoming atmosphere for retreat attendees.

• Engaging Pre-Retreat Communication: I share strategies for connecting with attendees beforehand to build anticipation and community, such as using Voxer, sending personalized emails, and thoughtful gifts.

• Strategic Planning and Logistics: I talk about having a "get it done" attitude, making decisions, and staying within budget, as well as the importance of a lean schedule leading up to the retreat.

• Creating a Cohesive Experience: I highlight how I design tablescapes, incorporate themes, and prepare my team to ensure a smooth and welcoming retreat experience.

Resources

Join my Free Mastering Retreats: A Three-Part Series to Design, Plan & Book Out Your Next Event: amberhousley.com/retreatworkshop

Explore my Invite & Delight Retreat Planning Program: amberhousley.com/inviteanddelight

Learn More About Inspired Retreat: amberhousley.com/inspiredretreat

In this episode, I dive into the world of marketing magic for retreats. Drawing from my extensive experience in hosting retreats and live events, I share three innovative marketing techniques to help ensure your retreat is fully booked. Whether you're a seasoned retreat host or just starting out, these strategies are sure to ignite your marketing efforts and attract the right participants to your transformative experience.

Highlights:

• Introduction to Marketing Magic: I share my passion for marketing and how it can sometimes feel overwhelming with so many options available. I emphasize the importance of simplifying your approach to avoid decision fatigue.

• Digital Magazine: Learn how to create a visually appealing digital magazine as a lead magnet for your retreat. I explain how to use content from your sales page and repurpose it in a more engaging format.

• Evergreen Email Sequence: Discover the power of an evergreen email sequence to nurture leads and build anticipation for your retreat. I share tips on how to create a sequence that remains relevant and effective over time.

• Info Session or Webinar: Find out how hosting an info session or webinar can showcase the value of your retreat and build trust with potential attendees. I highlight the importance of enthusiasm and energy in selling your retreat experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Simplify Your Marketing: Don't let the multitude of options paralyze you. Focus on a few effective strategies to start with.

• Utilize Visuals: A digital magazine can provide a more engaging way to present information about your retreat and attract leads.

• Nurture Leads: An evergreen email sequence is a crucial tool for keeping your retreat top of mind and building excitement.

• Engage Directly: Hosting a live info session or webinar allows for real-time interaction and can help alleviate any concerns potential attendees may have.

Resources:

Join my Free Mastering Retreats: A Three-Part Series to Design, Plan & Book Out Your Next Event: amberhousley.com/retreatworkshop

Explore my Invite & Delight Retreat Planning Program: amberhousley.com/inviteanddelight

Learn More About Inspired Retreat: amberhousley.com/inspiredretreat

Join me in this episode as I sit down with my guest, Sarah Masci, to explore the transformative power of VIP Days within the realm of retreats and how they can take your business to the next level. Incorporating VIP Days into your business model can lead to transformative experiences for your clients and increased revenue for your business.

Highlights:

• Sarah shares her expertise on hosting retreats and VIP days, discussing transformational impact, location selection, logistics, and format/content design.

• Discover how attending a retreat can be life-changing and translate into powerful testimonials for your business.

• Learn how to select locations that create memorable experiences for your attendees.

• Dive into the details of planning a retreat, from accommodations to handling unexpected challenges.

• Design the format and content of your retreats for maximum impact, including hot seat sessions and outdoor activities.

• Enhance your mastermind programs with retreats, offering alumni preferred rates and ongoing support.

• Explore how hot seat sessions can provide personalized feedback and support.

• Learn how VIP days can be a lucrative addition to your business offerings.

• Get tips for pricing strategies and structuring your offerings for day rates in your business.

Key Takeaways:

• Retreats and VIP Days can be life-changing for participants and increase credibility for your business.

• Incorporate retreats into mastermind programs to enhance community engagement.

• Don't be afraid to experiment with VIP days and other offerings to find what resonates best with your audience.

Links

Connect with Sarah: sarahmamsci.com

Instagram: @sarahmasci

Join my Free Mastering Retreats: A Three-Part Series to Design, Plan & Book Out Your Next Event: amberhousley.com/retreatworkshop

Explore my Invite & Delight Retreat Planning Program: amberhousley.com/inviteanddelight

In today's episode, I dive into the top 10 budget busters that retreat hosts face and how to avoid them. From choosing the right location to managing food and swag costs, I share practical tips to help you stay profitable while delivering an amazing retreat experience. Whether you're a seasoned host or planning your first event, these insights will set you up for success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Location Selection: Opt for budget-friendly destinations that align with your retreat's theme.

2. Room Blocks: Approach room blocks cautiously to avoid unnecessary costs.

3. Budgeting: Know your break-even number and track expenses closely.

4. Food Costs: Be strategic with meal planning to minimize waste and expenses.

5. Hotel Expenses: Understand all potential costs associated with your venue.

6. Team Expenses: Budget for your support staff's travel and accommodation.

7. Swag: Choose meaningful and cost-effective swag items.

8. Alcohol: Use drink tickets to control alcohol consumption and costs.

9. Event Size: Start small to manage costs and gain experience.

10. Self-Care: Prioritize your well-being to ensure a successful event.

Links:

Join my Free Mastering Retreats Workshop Series: amberhousley.com/retreatworkshop

Explore my Invite & Delight Retreat Planning Program: amberhousley.com/inviteanddelight

Dive into the power of retreats in building community and creativity. On today's episode I welcome Christen Phillips, the creative force behind I See Stars Quilting, to share her journey from starting a modern quilting blog to hosting sold-out retreats that bring women together in creativity and connection. Discover how Christen's retreats have transformed her business, deepened her community, and inspired attendees to embrace their quilting passion.

Key Takeaways:

From Blog to Business: Christen's evolution from starting a quilting blog to creating a thriving community.

Retreat Inspiration: How attending Amber's retreats influenced Christen's approach to her own events.

Overcoming Challenges: Lessons learned from hosting the first retreat and the importance of personal touches.

Community Impact: The role of retreats in fostering connections and confidence among attendees.

Links

Connect with Christen: iseestarsquilting.com

YouTube: I See Stars Quilting

Instagram: @iseestarsquilting

Join my Free Mastering Retreats: A Three-Part Series to Design, Plan & Book Out Your Next Event: amberhousley.com/retreatworkshop

Explore my Invite & Delight Retreat Planning Program: amberhousley.com/inviteanddelight

Welcome to the realities of planning and hosting retreats. In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes, sharing my personal stories, including the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned from over a decade of event planning experience.

Combined with a bit of humor, the insights I provide in this episode offer a valuable look into the complexities and rewards of retreat planning. My emphasis on authenticity, community, and self-care offers inspiration for anyone looking to create impactful and memorable events.

Highlights:

• My extensive background in event planning, from college days to working in the wedding industry to hosting my own retreats

• The importance of managing attendee expectations and logistics, including accommodation challenges and the impact of swag size

• The significance of retreats in my business strategy, highlighting their role in my value ladder and the potential for generating revenue

• Creating a cohesive experience for all attendees, regardless of their investment level, and the power of community in my events

• Personal stories of challenges I faced, such as managing swag orders, vendor issues, and accommodation logistics at Inspired Retreat

• The importance of self-care and setting boundaries as an event host to maintain energy and focus

Key Takeaways:

• Retreat planning involves a delicate balance of logistics, attendee expectations, and creating a memorable experience.

• Swag size matters: consider the practicality of gifts for attendees who have to travel.

• Music sets the tone: invest in a good DJ or carefully curate your playlist to enhance the event atmosphere.

• Accommodation choices can significantly impact attendee experience; consider options carefully.

• Retreats are not one-off events but part of a larger business strategy that can lead to significant revenue and deeper connections with your audience.

• Self-care is crucial for event hosts to maintain their energy and provide the best experience for attendees.

Links:

Join my Free Mastering Retreats: A Three-Part Series to Design, Plan & Book Out Your Next Event: amberhousley.com/retreatworkshop

Explore my Invite & Delight Retreat Planning Program: amberhousley.com/inviteanddelight

Discover the Blooming Business Inner Circle: amberhousley.com/innercircle

Start Your Coaching Journey With Me: amberhousley.com/mastermind

Today I had the extreme pleasure of chatting with my good friend, Cathy Olson, of Funnel Gorgeous. Join me as we follow her journey from a design business start-up to co-founding a multi-million dollar company.

We discuss the importance of authenticity and building a community of like-minded individuals, and our experiences hosting retreats and conferences.

Cathy shares the details of the recent Funnel Gorgeous Retreat, a small, intimate event that focuses on deep connections and valuable content. We also touch on the logistics and challenges of organizing events, including shipping swag and managing attendee expectations. Cathy emphasizes the importance of adapting to unexpected changes and finding creative solutions.

Takeaways

* Authenticity is key in building a community of like-minded individuals.

* Hosting retreats and conferences can create deep connections and valuable content.

* Logistics, such as shipping swag and managing attendee expectations, can be challenging but important to consider.

* Creating a balance between work and play during events can enhance the attendee experience.

* Embrace unexpected changes and find creative solutions to make the best of challenging situations.

* Join supportive communities to connect with like-minded individuals and receive valuable advice and assistance.

Links

Connect with Cathy on Instagram: instagram.com/loveinspired

Learn more about Funnel Gorgeous: funnelgorgeous.com

Try FG Funnels for your business: amberhousley.com/fgfunnels

Join my Free Mastering Retreats: A Three-Part Series to Design, Plan & Book Out Your Next Event: amberhousley.com/retreatworkshop

Explore my Invite & Delight Retreat Planning Program: amberhousley.com/inviteanddelight

In this episode, we're diving into the journey from being an attendee at retreats more than a decade ago to becoming an expert in hosting them. Join me as I share my personal growth and key lessons learned along the way in bringing my retreat dreams to life. You'll also get a peek at life right now - which feels very much like a transition season. With just finishing hosting a Coterie Mastermind retreat and preparing for Inspired Retreat, while also in the middle of an office refresh, everything feels a little imperfect right now.

Highlights:

- Reflecting on the recent Coterie Mastermind retreat in Florida.

- Sharing the excitement of office renovation and embracing imperfection.

- Celebrating the 12th birthday of the Inspired Retreat and its evolution.

- Discussing the early days of attending retreats and the inspiration to host her own.

- Emphasizing the importance of starting small and learning from each experience.

- Inviting listeners to the "Mastering Retreats" workshop series.

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace the journey of personal and professional growth, from attending events to hosting your own.

- Start small with your retreats and gradually build up to your dream event, learning and improving along the way.

- Hosting retreats can be a powerful way to make an impact on your clients and customers, as well as a significant revenue stream for your business.

Links:

Sign up for the workshop series at amberhousley.com/retreatworkshop.

Follow Amber on Instagram for more insights and join the Spring Clean Your Business Challenge at @amberhousley.