The Power Of Entrepreneurial Retreats For Women
Andrea Loubier, Forbes Contributor
“Do your goals make you feel guilty anytime you aren’t productive?” It’s a problem I have faced, and other entrepreneurs face on a daily basis. It’s why so few of us take vacations or schedule in enough down time to simply relax.
The solution? Entrepreneurial retreats. More specifically, entrepreneurial retreats for women.
I’ve experienced a few of these in Bali, one that is not exclusive to women is called Project Getaway. The next one will take place in October 2017 in Bali. Now we can see more and more entrepreneurial retreats that built upon a supportive network of women. Combining unique travel experiences focused on personal and business development, finally, give you the kick to set aside time for the things you really should be doing – for both yourself and your business.
Retreats for entrepreneurial women hold more benefits than a just a support network.
In the tech industry, I believe that retreats like these are more than just nice getaways. It’s a chance for women to come together, share their experiences and grow in more ways than one. It’s also undeniably useful for remote female workers, as it gives you the ability to see, experience and learn more than you ever could at home.
I sat down with Grace Clapham from Reinvention Retreat and Michele DiLisio from PACK, who both own their own successful retreats to discuss how retreats can benefit women in business.
The Power of Collaborative Works Spaces
While not being tethered to a desk and a location has its advantages, it’s not a perfect paradise. Remote workers, including myself, often feel a lack of community and isolation. There’s no one to break the silence of your own four walls, and it’s a lot harder to meet people in your industry.
“Collaborative workspaces and coworking retreats allow professionals to access the knowledge and experience of peers and mentors whom they may never have come across otherwise,” says Michele.
Entrepreneurial retreats take it one step further, offering an unforgettable travel experience rooted in personal and professional growth. “We are all time poor,” says Grace “but these retreats allow individuals to have the ‘break’ they need and still move forward with their careers.”
Why Female Entrepreneurs and Remote Workers Need Retreats
Retreats create a space for inspiration and collaboration. It’s a chance to get out of your comfort zone, reset and focus on the things that are and are not working for your business.
“After attending my first retreat in Bali with a startup, I left feeling refreshed, recharged, and inspired. I also knew that there was an untapped market for women who were looking for an organised adventure of self-discovery and professional development,” says Michele, who now runs a retreat company called PACK.
But these getaways go a step further when they focus on women and the unique position they find themselves in the business world.
Michele believes that the level of competition in business has led women to believe that we are each other’s enemies instead of our greatest allies. “After all, they are the only ones who truly understand the struggle, the sacrifice, and the great reward.”
It’s a way for us to learn how to put that fierce competition aside and start supporting each other so we can all achieve our goals.
These getaways go a step further when they focus on women and the unique position they find themselves in the business world.
The Power of Women Coming Together
Starting a business in a male-dominated sector has its own set of challenges for women. From having to prove ourselves constantly to the blatant sexism, we have unique hurdles that we have to navigate on a daily basis.
But, a lack of female role models and support makes it worse.
“I focused on building women communities such as Secret {W} Business – which was really initially launched selfishly because I couldn’t find any communities or networks that resonated with me and where I was at that time running my own business in Singapore. ” says Grace.
This feeling of isolation is common, and it’s one of the reasons I advocate networking opportunities like these retreats that create a space for women to connect and collaborate. What’s amazing now is that more and more opportunities and business ventures are emerging from the inspiration of ecosystems for entrepreneurial women, and especially those who travel. Damesly is a brilliant online platform that connects professional and creative women through travel, founded by Kelly Lewis. Kelly is also the woman behind Go! Girl Guides which inspire and empower women to travel the world. Another one to follow is called ruma which promotes a sense of community, safety and a more cost-effective means of travel for more women who are also pursuing “The New Office”.
I know that I would be lost without the group of women who support and encourage my ideas. Their input has been invaluable to my journey so far and will continue to hold a place of importance as my business moves forward.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, is a travel and cupcake lover with a passion for self-discovery and career development. She has a strong background in developing and managing interns and successful internship programs. She is an accomplished manager, professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has packaged her Master of Social Work degree and 20 years of diverse work experience into Packaged For Success, a full service training and professional development company.
© 2018 Copyright Protected. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED.