This place seems exactly what I was looking for, though it does seem a little quiet. Here's hoping I'll get the kind of response I'm looking for
I am thinking of starting up a residential retreat centre in Scotland where I live. My primary interest is in yoga, but the centre would cater for all holistic and creative arts, generally anything that fits in with the ethos of leanring for life skills. I was hoping to connect with some centre owners and managers who would be willing to answer a million and one (okay, maybe just several hundred) questions about getting started up in business.
Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Scott
Posts: 2 | Location: Scotland | Registered: May 01, 2005
Currently there hasn't been a lot of activity on the board because Sarah hasn't been promoting this site very much, so apologies for the slowness of responses. Please do keep checking back however, and feel free to check out the links on the retreat center pages and contact people from there. I'm sure you'll find someone who would be willing to answer some questions.
It does seem like things are quite quiet here. But, it is a great idea to share ideas on retreat spaces. I am not a center owner, but am searching with my husband for a space right now in Switzerland. (He's Swiss I'm from the States.)
To chat until someone else shows up, what are some of your questions? What is your vision of a center?
I'm very happy to have found this site and look forward to exchanging ideas with everyone. Though I'm not a retreat center owner, I've been thinking about starting one for quite some time now and have visited several in California (I live in the San Francisco Bay Area).
The first issue I have is economic. These places are very expensive- $150 to $500 a night, and I didn't really care for the "elitist" atmosphere at some of them. It was basically a bunch of rich people indulging themselves. Don't get me wrong- I have no problem with anyone enjoying a weekend yoga or zen meditation retreat, but it bothered me that these places would be unaffordable for the average person.
I suppose I'm just wondering how you balance the business side with the spiritual. While my ideal would be to charge a minimal fee and perhaps accept donations from those who could afford to pay more, I realize that this approach would not cover expenses.
Thanks for listening. Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.
Well, since that post I've moved on with my thoughts somewhat. Exhaustive research has pretty much shown me that without investors I'm not going to achieve the kind of retreat I was thinking of, which I don't want. I am now aiming at something a lot smaller - a bed and breakfast establishment with a view towards a retreat atmosphere. This seems to make sense as it will allow me to gain the necessary skills and experience at an easier pace and also improve my chances of building on the business to create some capital.
Kevin, it should be possible to create the type of retreat you want, but in all circunmstances you must treat it like a business. If you don't make enough money to survive then you're no good to anyone as you'll go bust. What about having higher prices but offering grants to disadvantaged people?
In the end there is a lot to be learned from the business world, even if we spiritually-inclined people don't want to be the Gordon Gecko's of this world (am I ageing myself there? ). Your "product" will only sustain itself if there is a market for it, so this is the most important thing to uncover before starting out - prove (even if only to yourself) that the market is there. If so, then you're most of the way there.
More later I'm sure, am at work right now.
Cheers,
Scott
Posts: 2 | Location: Scotland | Registered: May 01, 2005
I like your idea of starting smaller. You're so right about the cost of building and running a full-scale retreat- it's prohibitive. And dealing with investors or partners can be messy.
Personally, I'd love to stay in a B&B with a retreat atmosphere. What sort of qualities are you aiming for? "Retreat" makes me think of a peaceful, natural setting... quiet... a river or ocean nearby... or a wooded area to wander off in privacy... away from city noise... fresh, healthy food... a large tub or spa to relax in... basically, a place to "be still" and rejuventate body and spirit...
What sort of services would you provide? Massage, yoga, pilates, meditation? I'd love to hear more about your plans.
Thank you for your business advice and the suggestion for making the retreat more inclusive. I'm right with you on the Gordon Gecko reference, too; we're probably close to the same age. And make no mistake- while money is not my primary objective, I'm not looking to run a non-profit. There's a huge market for retreat spaces in Northern California, and I believe that despite the competition, if it's done right people will come.
I agree with the importance of having an economically sustainable spiritual business. Sustainability is part of spirituality whether it be money, food, lifestyle, etc. I have a friend who has been doing exactly what you are planning Scott. She is in Alaska Kevin, which the name in itself seems to conjure up peaceful, natural, settings. But where she lives (I lived in the same town for 5 years and at her place working with her on various projects for 4 months) is really that. You can only fly there (no roads, train tracks, or passenger boat lines), and nature really does frame all of life. I miss it
Ok, so I will talk with her tomorrow night and ask her if she would like to join our conversation as a resource for both of you starting on this project.
As for myself, my husband and I are hopefully only days maybe a week or so away from making an offer on a 150 year old Swiss farm house near where we are currently living. My vision is that we live there, rent out the top floor, and do retreat/workshops. Meaning, the pressure of making money out of the spiritual work is less since, it is also a place for us to live and we can offset mortgage costs with the rental.
As did my friend in Alaska, we plan on starting with word of mouth advertising. That is for me the spiritual way of approaching the question of market. The "built it and they will come" philosphy.
Of course, I agree with Scott that you have to have a feel for whether there is a market or not and I would add understand how you are personally engaged in this project plus activate your community of connections.
In other words, I think that the market question is also offset by my intuition or deeper soul movement towards the unique product or service we will offer. And that the unique products or services that we offer will be shaped by the partnerships we make with similarly motivated people and shaped by the projects we are able to acheive off of the dream list.
And then this brings me to the architecture dimension. I have been deep in the process of imagining how we will renovate this house to create the environment for the work we want to make happen. For this I really am enjoying Susan S's newest book as a visually tangible companion to the two more philosophical books A Timeless Way of Building and Pattern Language. Have you all alreay read this stuff?
Ok , that's a long reply, so I will leave it at that for now..
I just happened onto this site and board. This is way cool and I hope it goes over well for everyone involved. I just want the next explorer to know what I have to offer.
On the topic of starting up a center, I want create them and help them grow all over the world. For just one: Gather up your concept copy and network the ideas to locals where you aare considering putting the retreat. Find out who is influential. Who would be interested in your ideas. People know their community. In a hundred queries you'll collect enough information to guide your next step. Perhaps, an investor with clients.
Keep investigating until you know the value of what you have, Know what you must have for equity. Know what you are willing to give up in control in return for speed to market, management and marketing resources, and risk reduction. Consider if you can get everything you really need today or build smaller, learn, grow and build larger when prepared. Remember, many a food chain began with a corner hotdog stand. Consider if this is a lifestyle choice or a business choice. What's your level of risk allowance? What can you deal with effectively business wise without it effecting the quality of your work?
Get help if needed from some artistic soul who 'gets' your concept and lay out your conceptual collateral of signs, posters, menu of services, service descriptions, handouts, flyers, news ads, internet ads, public speaking opportunities and topical outlines, photos, etc.
Get with your business accountant and your personal financial advisor and create an SOP manual with all of the detailed descriptions of processes, forms, reporting your business will be required to performa, provide, and maintain.
Create a strategic business plan, marketing plan, and operational plan. Continue adapting your plans to the realities your encounter. Stay on your toes, strong and flexible, with your focus on your vision and your efforts ever guided by heart and intuition.
namaste, Daniel
quote:
Originally posted by ArjunaWeeping: Hi all, thanks for the replies.
Well, since that post I've moved on with my thoughts somewhat. Exhaustive research has pretty much shown me that without investors I'm not going to achieve the kind of retreat I was thinking of, which I don't want. I am now aiming at something a lot smaller - a bed and breakfast establishment with a view towards a retreat atmosphere. This seems to make sense as it will allow me to gain the necessary skills and experience at an easier pace and also improve my chances of building on the business to create some capital.
Kevin, it should be possible to create the type of retreat you want, but in all circunmstances you must treat it like a business. If you don't make enough money to survive then you're no good to anyone as you'll go bust. What about having higher prices but offering grants to disadvantaged people?
In the end there is a lot to be learned from the business world, even if we spiritually-inclined people don't want to be the Gordon Gecko's of this world (am I ageing myself there? ). Your "product" will only sustain itself if there is a market for it, so this is the most important thing to uncover before starting out - prove (even if only to yourself) that the market is there. If so, then you're most of the way there.
More later I'm sure, am at work right now.
Cheers,
Scott
Integral Life Coach at spearcoaching dot com. Resources for empowerment at prime-performance dot com.
Posts: 1 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: February 12, 2006
I am hoping this thread is still active - my partner and i have 3 park-like acres in the Hudson Valley, and are thinking of buying 6 more contiguous acres, which are naturally forested. The location is quite close to the train to/from NYC, and 1.5 miles from a beautiful village. We think it's perfect for a small retreat facility, perhaps 5 cabins in the forest, surrounding a common facility. We are looking to develop a business plan, and would love to chat with others who've built and/or run a similar facility.
). Your "product" will only sustain itself if there is a market for it, so this is the most important thing to uncover before starting out - prove (even if only to yourself) that the market is there. If so, then you're most of the way there.
