Toward the end of October, I attended a small (and COVID-conscious!) mastermind retreat at a beach house in San Diego with my business coach and a fellow masterminder. I had 6 amazing breakthroughs from this mastermind retreat, and I’ll be honest: I needed it.

 

After the year we’ve all had, I needed to get away for a couple of days and just really lean into my business. Building my business has always been a form of self-care — I am just wired to pour my all into this business I’ve built and into the women I serve through it. 

 

So getting to really fill up my business brain and thinking about strategy, learn new techniques, and be around other people who are putting in the work… it was just good for the soul.

 

Of course, part of why I invest in myself and my business is because I know that the innovative ideas and new marketing strategies I learn will all come down to you — synthesized in a way that’s right for you and your business!

 

So, without further ado, I want to share 6 amazing breakthroughs from my mastermind retreat with you. 

 

Takeaway #1: We deserve it.

 

The morning after we arrived in San Diego, I woke up (after sleeping in) and I looked out the window. I saw the ocean and the beautiful sky and I instantly felt like, “Oh my gosh, I don’t deserve this.” 

 

Have you ever felt that way? Like the good things that come your way or the positive experiences you have aren’t “earned”?

 

Well, I’ll tell you what I did when I had that train of thought: I immediately started mentally reminding myself that, while yes I was incredibly lucky to be able to do this retreat, I absolutely deserved it.

 

You deserve all these wonderful things, too. We as women think we have to have so much humility and be humble, and we care enough to recognize that certain opportunities are not available to everyone. 

 

But when we have those opportunities arise, seize them. If I could give myself that permission slip to feel deserving, you can, too. Especially if you worked hard to make something happen!

Takeaway #2: Fill up your joy bucket when you can.

 

While I absolutely went to San Diego with a plan for all the amazing things I would learn and insights I would gain for my business, I also knew I needed this time to find joy. So I filled the entire mastermind weekend with my favorite things.

 

All the things I love and wanted to make happen, I did it. I played in the ocean, I ordered out all my favorite meals, juices, and snacks. I slept in and enjoyed the quiet, I took my friends on a little outing to go crystal shopping.

 

I did everything that I needed to, in order to fill up my joy bucket so I could bring it back and do the work I love and care for my family. That time I spent giving to myself will carry me through “real life” and fuel everything I want to do now that I’m back home. 

 

I think this is another permission for YOU to find ways to fill your joy bucket when you get the chance, too! 

 

Takeaway #3: Set expectations for your experience.

By all accounts, the timing of this retreat was not ideal. It was just at the start of Q4, in the middle of a pandemic, and in the middle of a busy season in my business. But I was so committed to having a positive and joy-giving experience that… it worked! 

 

I built up the experience so much that it could only be good. Does that make sense? 

 

I leaned in and dreamed into what the expectation was going to be. I also shared that intention and excitement with those who were coming, and it helped them elevate their expectations and energy. By the time we got to San Diego, we were downright ready and thrilled to be there.

 

We have that kind of control over other situations — even if they’re not just mastermind retreats. Maybe it’s a virtual conference you’re attending, a VIP day for your clients, or a restocking day for your business. Whatever it is, set the tone and get excited! It’s OK to have fun and set your expectations high.

 

One of my favorite mantras lately is, “This or something better.” I like to imagine all the good things or what will make an experience great, but I keep my plans open for something different and possibly, even better than I imagine. 

 

Takeaway #4: Know what you want to get out of your time.

You already know I came with some high expectations for rest, some much-needed fun, and of course time on the beach. But I pay a lot of money to be part of my mastermind and I know the value of really being invested in learning from my coaches and peers.

 

So I also came with a few “must-do’s” for my business and my growth! I actually brought a simple list of questions that I wanted to ask while I was there and, while there wasn’t necessarily structured learning time, I got all those questions answered. I left with all the ideas churning in my head as I thought about how to implement new things within my business. 

 

If I hadn’t gone with those questions, I may have felt like I didn’t get what I needed for my business because I didn’t take ownership of that side of things.

Takeaway #5: Consider what you need.

Some masterminds out there offer in-person events, group coaching calls, monthly or biweekly curriculum, 1:1 coaching, retreats, or all of the above. Personally, I think it helps to know what you need from a mastermind before you sign up for anything — even if it’s a nebulous goal like “I want to learn how to market my business better.”

 

I also think we should all consider what we need from a mastermind retreat, coaching call, or even a conference before we attend them. While I absolutely think you should take advantage of whatever events or offers are included in a mastermind, I think it helps to go in with a goal.

In the past, I may have had a list of questions to ask my coach and the other mastermind retreat guests. This time, it was just 3 ladies in a huge beach house! In other instances, you might have many different people to bounce ideas or get perspectives from. Think ahead of time who might be able to offer insights based on their unique experience.

 

However, this isn’t just about bringing a list of questions. It’s about you. What do you need from this experience you’re about to attend? 

 

Maybe you need to sleep in and rest and soak up the sun, rather than sitting in a super scheduled conference.

 

 

Maybe you need to schedule a Zoom call with your mastermind peers to hash out your virtual retreat’s biggest takeaways. Maybe you want to attend a really small retreat that has lots of time for 1:1 sessions, instead of a larger virtual one.

 

Think about what you need to fill up your joy bucket and your business bucket and seek out experiences that offer that!

Takeaway #6: Masterminds matter.

Last but not least, I want to talk about why I really invest in masterminds. Not just my money, but my energy, my time, and my attention.

 

Every time I have chosen to invest in a mastermind or a group coaching program, I have elevated myself and my business beyond my wildest dreams. Not only do masterminds offer me the guidance, support, and training that I need to do better and bigger things, but they also connect me with some amazing people.

 

My mentors and mastermind leaders are amazing examples of what it means to be a successful entrepreneur in the online world (and most of them, including my current mentors, are women!).

They’ve built multi-7-figure businesses and serve thousands of people — without compromising on their family, personal life, health, or anything that they don’t want to compromise on.

 

My fellow masterminders are also people on my level or even further along in their business, which means that we have similar growing pains. I can learn from people who are doing things differently than I am, or who may be a bit further along than me, and that helps me anticipate what I can do in my own business to get where they are. 

 

It is truly an investment in myself, my confidence, my skills, my leadership, and my business. It’s also an investment in women like you, who I serve to the best of my abilities day in and day out. If you’ve ever thought about joining a mastermind to help you level up and grow your business, I wholeheartedly recommend it. 

Masterminding your way to a full joy bucket and a thriving business

 

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from all of this, it is: You don’t have to do this alone. You deserve to not do it alone. Starting a business and running one as it grows takes so much of your love and attention, and it can be hard! But you were called to do it, and I know you are more than capable.

 

But just because you can do it doesn’t mean you have to do it all alone. Sometimes, you need to arm yourself with the “tools” that help you get where you want to go faster — and sometimes those “tools” include real people!

 

As a marketing strategist and business coach, I'm passionate about raising women to new heights, sharing my smart strategies with other women business owners and sharing as much as I can with other women who want to grow thriving businesses and a joyful life, too.

 

 

That’s why I created two masterminds:

Blooming Business Inner Circle, an all-inclusive mastermind and group coaching experience for women who are looking exclusively for marketing strategy support, education, accountability, and proven frameworks to grow their business.

Coterie Mastermind, a 1:1 expert mastermind for women who have an established and growing business of $100,000+ annual revenue and want to scale their business and lifestyle to new heights.

 

In both masterminds, I share the frameworks and strategies I’ve used in my own business and for my 1:1 clients... resulting in six-figure launches and $1 million dollar+ revenues.

About the Blooming Business Inner Circle

 

The Blooming Business Inner Circle is a sisterhood of fellow women business owners who are starting and scaling their businesses, and who want the frameworks to do it well (without sacrificing their joy in the process). Inner Circle Sisters unlock a treasure trove of resources, including:

 

• Monthly marketing guides, mailed right to your door
• My NEW Bloom into Business Camp foundational business course
• Live group coaching calls
• Monthly coworking sessions and sister-to-sister chats
• Access to my Flourish Marketing Workshop 
• … and so much more!

About the Coterie Mastermind

 

 

For women who have a business with a proven offer and who want to reach the next level of their growth, the Coterie Mastermind may be perfect for you! Coterie members get:

 

• 1:1 and group coaching sessions
• Virtual and in-person retreats
• Access to a highly engaged, intimate, and private community 
• Quarterly marketing & promotional planning coaching sessions
• … and more

 

Doors are currently closed to the Blooming Business Inner Circle, but get on the waitlist today and you’ll be the first to hear when doors open again! As for Coterie, applications will be opening soon. So, be sure to stay tuned to your inbox if you don't want to miss it!

Wherever you’re at in your business, my friend, I hope that you find a community and a coach that supports you to the fullest. I also hope you get to go out and fill up that joy bucket. You deserve it.