#741: Create Your Own Table: How to Plan Your Own Peer-Led Retreats - The Amy Porterfield Show

Summary

Podcast Summary: Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield
Episode #741: Create Your Own Table: How to Plan Your Own Peer-Led Retreats
Release Date: December 17, 2024

Introduction

In Episode #741 of the Online Marketing Made Easy podcast, Amy Porterfield delves into the transformative power of peer-led retreats for female entrepreneurs. Titled "Create Your Own Table: How to Plan Your Own Peer-Led Retreats," this episode offers actionable strategies for building meaningful connections, enhancing mental well-being, and fostering business growth through intentional gatherings.

Amy’s Napa Retreat Experience

Amy begins by sharing her personal experience at a retreat in Napa, Tennessee. She recounts how this getaway became a soul-filling experience that emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with like-minded entrepreneurial women.

Amy Porterfield [08:30]: "I just had a really soul-filling experience where I surrounded myself with other entrepreneurial women and we got to dream bigger and think differently."

This retreat not only provided a break from her routine but also created a space for meaningful dialogue about business priorities and personal growth.

Importance of Community and Mental Health

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the interplay between mental health and business success. Amy highlights that maintaining a healthy mental state is crucial for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Amy Porterfield [05:45]: "Our mental health and our business success or lack thereof are deeply connected."

She emphasizes that true, authentic connections with other business owners can significantly impact one’s mindset and overall well-being, making it essential to prioritize these relationships.

How to Plan Peer-Led Retreats

Amy provides a comprehensive guide on organizing peer-led retreats, breaking down the process into manageable steps:

1. Taking Initiative

Amy underscores the importance of taking the first step to create opportunities rather than waiting for invitations.

Amy Porterfield [12:15]: "What if in 2025, instead of waiting for an invitation to the table, what if you created the table?"

2. Choosing Purposeful Locations

Selecting a location that aligns with the group’s values can add depth to the retreat experience. Amy shares her experience with One Hope Winery, a venue committed to impactful causes.

Amy Porterfield [07:50]: "Choosing a location or experiences tied to a cause or a charity could just add an extra layer of purpose and connection."

3. Structuring the Retreat

Amy recommends balancing structured activities with ample downtime to foster both productivity and relaxation.

Amy Porterfield [13:30]: "I like to know if it's too relaxed, sometimes people are like, what are we doing? So be clear about the purpose and structure."

4. Group Size and Diversity

Maintaining a small group size (ideally six to eight people) enhances intimacy and encourages deeper connections. Diversity in the group—across industries, backgrounds, and perspectives—can lead to richer discussions and innovative ideas.

Amy Porterfield [14:10]: "Keep it to like six to eight people. The smaller the group, the easier it is to plan and the deeper the connections."

5. Invitations and Guest List

Amy advises being intentional with the guest list, ensuring each participant can both contribute to and benefit from the group dynamic. She also touches on handling potential disappointments when some invitees decline.

Amy Porterfield [14:50]: "Ask yourself, why do I want each person in this room? How will they contribute to and benefit from the group dynamic."

6. Creating a Flexible Agenda

While having a loose agenda is beneficial, flexibility allows for organic conversations and activities that can emerge during the retreat. Amy suggests incorporating structured elements like hot seats alongside informal discussions.

Amy Porterfield [15:30]: "Mix downtime, informal discussions, meals, and focused activities like hot seats to create a balance of structure and flexibility."

7. Fostering Meaningful Connections

Intentional conversations can significantly enhance the retreat experience. Amy recommends using thoughtful questions during meals to spark deep and inclusive dialogues.

Amy Porterfield [16:20]: "Choose one thoughtful question for the table, and then everyone goes around and answers it. It fosters honest, authentic conversations."

The Challenge: Create Your Own Table

Towards the end of the episode, Amy presents a challenge to her listeners: plan and execute two peer-led retreats in 2025. This initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs to take control of their networking and support systems.

Amy Porterfield [17:45]: "My challenge to you is to be the person who creates the opportunity. Plan two retreats next year."

She encourages listeners to overcome fears, start small, and embrace the process of building supportive communities.

Conclusion and Encouragement

Amy wraps up the episode with heartfelt encouragement, urging listeners to take bold steps towards creating their own retreats. She emphasizes that the magic truly happens when one takes the initiative to make something extraordinary happen.

Amy Porterfield [19:30]: "Take the challenge, be bold, create the table, invite the guest, and watch the magic unfold. This is your time."

Key Takeaways

Initiative Matters: Don’t wait for opportunities—create them.
Intentional Planning: Choose meaningful locations and structure your retreats with a balance of activities and downtime.
Small, Diverse Groups: Keep retreats intimate to foster deeper connections and include diverse perspectives for richer discussions.
Flexible Agendas: Allow space for organic conversations while incorporating structured elements to guide the retreat.
Meaningful Conversations: Use thoughtful questions to spark authentic and inclusive dialogues.
Take the Challenge: Commit to organizing peer-led retreats to enhance your entrepreneurial journey and mental well-being.

Notable Quotes

Amy Porterfield [00:00]: "Creating your own little retreat, your meaningful connections with other entrepreneurs isn't about perfection or having it all figured out or being the most successful in the room. It's about taking that first brave step and making the space for something extraordinary."
Amy Porterfield [05:45]: "Our mental health and our business success or lack thereof are deeply connected."
Amy Porterfield [12:15]: "What if in 2025, instead of waiting for an invitation to the table, what if you created the table?"
Amy Porterfield [19:30]: "Take the challenge, be bold, create the table, invite the guest, and watch the magic unfold. This is your time."

Final Thoughts

Episode #741 serves as a motivational blueprint for female entrepreneurs looking to build supportive networks through peer-led retreats. Amy Porterfield’s blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and inspirational challenges equips listeners with the tools and confidence needed to create their own meaningful business gatherings. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode provides invaluable insights into fostering connections that can propel both personal and professional growth.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Creating your own little retreat, your meaningful connections with other entrepreneurs isn't about perfection or having it all figured out or being the most successful in the room. It's about taking that first brave step and making the space for something extraordinary. I'm Amy Porterfield, ex corporate girl turned.

B (0:19)

CEO of a multi seven figure business. But it wasn't all that long ago that I lacked the confidence, the budget and the time to focus on growing my small but mighty business. Fast forward past many failed attempts and lessons learned and you'll see the business I have today. One that changes lives and gives me more freedom than I ever thought possible. One that used to only exist as a daydream. I created the Online Marketing Made Easy podcast to give you simple, actionable, step by step strategies to help you do the same. If you're an ambitious entrepreneur or one in the making who's looking to create a business that makes an impact and a life you love, you're in the right place, friend. Let's get started.

A (1:12)

Hey there. Welcome back to Online Marketing Made Easy. So I have a challenge for you at the end of this episode and I want you to stay until the end. It's a shorty episode, we'll get through it quickly. But the challenge is important and I think it could up level how you navigate through your business in the new year. So stay with me here. I recently just got back from Napa and let me tell you, it was incredible. And so the thing is, Hobie does not drink. He hasn't drank for like over 20 years and I'm not a big drinker, but I enjoy a few glasses of wine. And I was going to say one glass of wine. I'm like, don't be a liar, Amy. It's it, it's two. I like two glasses of wine when I'm out with my girlfriends and so, so Napa is always a girlfriend place for me because I wouldn't ever really go there with Hobie. I don't think he'd have a lot of fun. But it's such a great place to go with your girlfriends and I've been a few times. Funny enough, I've never been there before I left California. So now that I'm in Nashville, Tennessee, going to Napa is not an easy travel day. But I've gone several times since living in Nashville, so I really missed the opportunity to go when it was little bit easy to travel. So anyway, I just had a really like soul filling experience where I surrounded myself with other entrepreneurial women and we got to dream bigger and think differently and just really talk about what we're prioritizing and what we want to be intentional about in the new year. And spending this time with these women is so important to me because it hasn't always been a natural thing for me to get into community. I hate to admit that, but my introvert times a hundred self really is comfortable staying behind the computer and staying at home and once in a while doing a business event or whatnot. But getting girlfriends together and just spending time with them, I really never prioritized that. But I realized in business I'm better if I surround myself with people that are doing similar things or can understand what it takes to grow a business. They know all the hurdles involved and, and just being able to talk with like minded people has really been a gift. And especially for me, women doing business, I think we have different conversations than I typically have with my male friends. And I think it's important to have these conversations and just share our stories and our experiences, our insights, our advice, all of that. So specifically this episode is if you're a woman spending time with entrepreneurial women, I think that is really the focus I want to put on this. So over the last few years I have been deeply focused on my mental health. Many of you know that if you're an OG of the podcast and I uncovered something about me relating to entrepreneurship and mental health and I just don't think this is talked about enough. But I believe that our mental health and our business success or lack thereof are deeply connected and I think that's a given. Although I don't think we talk about it enough and really make that connection and give our time intentionally to what is needed in order to have a healthy mental state as we're navigating our businesses, so making space for true meaningful connections, it has played just a huge role in maintaining my own mental health and well being. So when we allow ourselves to step away from our laptops and just truly connect with others who again who get it, who are also going through a similar experience as you, building your businesses and going through all the stuff that goes into building a business and also like other people who understand how hard it is to hire and fire and understanding the late nights and the self doubt and the wins and the losses and all of that, it just is really powerful. I think it shifts not only our mindset but also this is the part I really want you to hear the trajectory of our business. I believe that these connections, when they are true and authentic and when you really put Yourself out there. It can uplevel how you navigate through your business in, like, the best possible way. Now, I have to be honest about something. I almost didn't talk about my Napa experience because I don't want to create episodes where it's like, look at me. Look at what I do. I'm so lucky. I've got a great life, which I do. But I also want to just be here for those of you who are navigating building businesses and everything, the good, bad, and ugly that comes with it. And so I want to just always be careful not to only share the highlight reel, because I would say this Napa trip, it goes into the category of a highlight reel. But here's the thing. There's something important in this story I'm about to share with you. These moments of connection with entrepreneurial women who really get it. There's something here I want to share with you. They're not just experiences other people get to have. These are experiences that are for you as well. So I thought, okay, I'll tell you about the trip. I'll tell you what we did. I'll tell you where we stayed. But really, I want you to hear this story and kind of look at it through a lens of, well, if Amy could figure that out, if she could find those friends and be invited to those things, so can I. And so I might be farther along in my business or have a bigger audience than you. Maybe, maybe not. But if I do, that does not mean that you can't be fostering really important entrepreneurial relationships right now. So I just want to put that out there that you absolutely can. And that's why I created this episode. I'm like, I'm going to share, but more importantly, I'm going to encourage you to get into your own groups. So I want to ask you something important. When was the last time you had deep, meaningful connections with other business owners? If you're a female, I'm going to take that one step further with other female business owners. When was the last time that you had concentrated intentional time? Not just an hour over coffee, but maybe a few hours at a retreat during the day, or even better, a few days at some kind of retreat or getaway? And remember, I'm a big fan, and I've talked about this before on the show. I'm a big fan of making your own groups. If you're not getting invited to other groups, you can be the person that invites others to a weekend retreat. Like your peers. You're not charging for it you're all getting together, you're on the same playing field, and you're there to support each other. And I think that's important. So my question is, when was the last time you did this? So whether it's been months since you've had that kind of connection, or maybe you've never experienced it, or maybe you just had coffee with a friend last week, but you want to go deeper. I've got a challenge for you. It's one that might push you out of your comfort zone, but it could also be the game changer you've been looking for in 2025. Okay, so before I dive into the very specifics of this challenge that I've created for you, first, let me tell you what inspired it. So while I was sitting in Napa with this incredible group of women, I realized something powerful. You know, what made that experience possible. One person decided to take the initiative. One person said, I'm going to make this happen and let me give you a little sense of what this Napa retreat looked like. So we intentionally kept it super low key. It was very simple, very manageable. Something, anyone? Yes, even you could create on your own. It doesn't have to look like this, but we didn't make it complicated. So my dear friend and co founder of Glossy, Lori Harder, was the one who reached out to me about this three day retreat, and she wanted to get a group of women entrepreneurs together because she has a relationship with One Hope Winery. And thanks to one of the winery's incredible owners, Tiff Wykovich, who invited Lori and a group of girlfriends to spend time at their basically winery home, we were able to pull this off. And by the way, if you've never heard of One Hope, it isn't your typical winery. Their entire business model is built around making an impact, which made the experience even more meaningful. So one hope donates 10% of every single purchase to causes that their customers care about. They've already donated over $11 million. And they've built school schools in developing countries, funded cancer research, even planted an entire forest in Indonesia. And then they also do local work. I don't know if you remember when Napa had those terrible fires. They supported their community in that as well. So this is something to keep in mind for your own retreat. Let's say you planned a peer retreat with your friends. Choosing a location or choosing some. Some experiences that are tied to a cause or a charity could just add an extra layer of purpose and connection. All right, getting back to the retreat, I arrived On Monday night, we were all together Tuesday and Wednesday, and then I left Thursday morning. So it wasn't a long trip, but it was like perfect timing. And this is what it looked like. We shared all of our meals together, we worked out together, we went on walks together, and we of course talked about our businesses and we spent a lot of time around the fire, sharing stories, sipping wine and just learning about each other. So it wasn't all business, but definitely anytime anyone wanted to talk about business, it was a very natural conversation, which does not happen when you're a mixed company. If you're sitting at a table and let's say everyone there is working a 9 to 5 job, or maybe there's some stay at home dads or stay at home moms or whatever, talking about your business and what you do and the challenges you have, sometimes people are going to look at you like you have two heads. You know this. If you've never been through this, you don't truly respect the challenge, really understand what it takes. I mean, there's a lot of hard things in this world. We're not like the most special as entrepreneurs. I get that. But we do have a unique experience that's very hard to talk to someone who hasn't been in it. So getting together and having these conversations, there was really no pressure, no over the top agenda, just genuine connection and meaningful conversations. And it was a small group. There's just six of us. And here's why I think that matters. The smaller the group, the easier it is to plan and the deeper connections. So I'll come back to that. But I wanted to really set the stage. That's what it was. We came together for a little bit of personal, a lot of business, and all the women were running their own businesses or part of a partnership in the winery for Tiff. And it was just a really great experience and I'm really glad I did it. So let's get back to you. What is this challenge I have for you? Well, what if in 2025, instead of waiting for an invitation to the table, what if you created the table? What if you were the one to plan two retreats next year? Now, the word retreat might be throwing you off again. I'm not talking about a paid mastermind, I'm not talking about a big fancy event, but a peer led gathering of entrepreneurs who can support, inspire and lift each other up. What if right now, you opened up your calendar and blocked off, let's say two weekends now, secretly, I don't do a lot of Weekend work stuff. So I was really happy because this was actually Monday through Thursday and if you do it early enough, you'll make the time for it. I think that's also important. This has been on my calendar for months and months, so I knew it was coming up and I knew I had not planned anything for those dates so I could be fully unplugged. That's another thing. I just as a side note, I won't go down a rabbit hole, but I have been to many types of events and masterminds and retreats like this little weekend getaways or whatever, business wise. And I've always had to do work. I got to get on this call real fast or oh, I've got to go make this social media real or I've got to do this live Q and A and it takes you out of the moment. So this time, and I've done that plenty of times and I'm always hating it when it happens. Like, hey guys, I hope you enjoy the wine. I got to go get on a zoom call. No. And so this time I told my assistant I want nothing to do. I want to be fully present for these basically two and a half days essentially is what it turned out to be. I want to be fully present. And I was. And that felt so good. So if you can swing it, be mindful of that, it makes a very big difference. I wish someone had given me that advice a long time ago.