I Am Hosting My First International Retreat Experience This Year [Update]
This is a follow up story for Wandering Aunt . If you're interested in reading how they got started, published almost 5 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
Hello! I am a space holder, trailblazer, and adventure-seeking world traveler who seeks beauty wherever I go. I am an Auntie to 5 littles who are my pride and joy (hence Wandering Aunt).
For the past five years, I’ve been living life as a nomad and soulo, traveling worldwide.
Here’s the link to my original Starter Story interview.
I am a Manifesting Generator in Human Design, Sagittarius ☀️, Taurus ⬆️, Scorpio 🌙, and Enneagram 7.
As a Manifesting Generator and multipotentiality, I do a lot. I love variety and following what lights me up. I am a certified Sourced™ Retreat Leader & Transformational Coach, Oracle, Curator of Soulo Experiences, and international model.
It takes time to catch up to your vision and to become the person who can hold the expansiveness of that vision.
Currently, this is what’s lighting me up:
𝟭:𝟭 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 - I support others in stepping into the unknown with curiosity to discover their most authentic selves.
𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗼 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆𝘀 - Is there a place you want to explore or travel to? I’ll support you in bringing your vision to life through travel design and coaching. Follow @souloexperiences for travel inspiration.
Soulo Experiences Retreats - I lead small group international retreats that support others in answering the call of their heart and stepping into the unknown with curiosity. The next retreat is in Brazil this summer!
𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 - I support retreat leaders on retreat with logistics, being a secondary counterpart and coach on retreat, and space holder for the retreat leader.
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 - I am on a personal mission of modeling in photoshoots all over the world as a way to support local photographers, stylists, and designers. Many of the photos you see here are from my incredible photoshoots.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗻? Currently, I am living in Brazil.
My business has grown since I have fully embodied being a transformational coach in service to others and their dreams. I am working with six clients and gearing up to host my first international Soulo Experience retreat in Brazil.
As a result, I have seen a shift in my finances and am back to earning a steady income, which was a roller coaster before that. My photoshoot mission is up to 11 countries, and I look forward to adding more this year!
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
Over the past few months, I’ve gained great clarity in my business and the future of where it is going and what it is growing into. When I started my business in 2019, I had a big-picture vision of leading retreats in countries worldwide, and in 2023, I can say it is finally happening. I am gearing up to host my first international Soulo Experience in Brazil called Heart Leap.
This retreat is for those who have been feeling a pull in their heart to do something new or bring their vision to life, yet they are blocked by the need to stay safe, to listen to others’ advice, or they hold back out of fear of stepping into the unknown.
My business has also re-opened the doors for supporting others in traveling on their own Soulo Journeys. I have helped clients travel for the first time outside of the U.S., step into ancestral journeys, and even create experiences for parent/child relationships.
My unique approach focuses on coaching to get to the heart of the experience by starting with a one-to-one Desire Session and monthly coaching calls leading up to the experience, followed by an integration call post-trip. I design the trips to fit the Why of each client and also provide on-the-ground support when they are at their destination for any obstacles that may arise.
I have expanded my coaching services beyond travel and support others wherever their heart calls them. I also hired my first content manager to enhance my brand image and marketing of services.
The results have been significant and remind me why I do the work that I do. This past fall, I supported a client on her first solo trip to Ireland. Aside from business travel, she had never traveled on her own before, nor had she been out of the country.
I supported her in getting a passport and planning the details for her experience. The heart of our work was centered around creating intentions for her expertise and uncovering any fears, anxieties, or blocks that might stand in the way of those intentions. Her experience was truly magical.
“I worked with Robin to plan my first-ever solo trip to Ireland. I purchased the trip planning/coaching package, which was very beneficial. She scheduled an initial call with me to determine my interests and then a separate call to set intentions with Oracle card readings. The card readings were spot on and helped me figure out what to focus on before, during, and after the trip. Robin communicated with me frequently throughout the process and scheduled calls to discuss any concerns as the trip approached. While in Ireland, she was there to support me along the way. I highly recommend working with Robin on your next trip or as a coach!”
- Lindsey L.
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year?
One thing that many don’t tell you about building your business–it takes time. It takes time to catch up to the vision and to become the person who can hold the expansiveness of that vision. It takes time to gain confidence and price your services to match the transformation you are providing. And it takes time to attract clients to your services.
My biggest challenges in the past year have been learning to get out of my way and fully surrender the building process and timing. In a world of instant gratification and hearing about “overnight successes” it can be easy to get dissuaded in your business and lose hope.
Slow, steady action leads to long-term growth. And creating from an energetic space filled with joy and excitement will advance the process much quicker than one that comes from attachment to a particular way of doing things or outcome.
I had various obstacles come my way with having to relocate and start nomad life again, lose some stable income I relied on to support my business's growth, and other financial losses. It was a challenging year that made me stronger and more grounded in my mission and being the person to lead others.
What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
My biggest lessons last year have all evolved around trust. Trusting myself and my inner knowing; trusting my vision and what it requires of me to be the person to execute it; trusting in the timing, and releasing attachment to how or when things need to happen.
I learned what it is like when I go against my gut and what my body tells me. I learned to release resources, relationships, and other things that were not aligned with my vision and the leader I was becoming. It was a big year of letting go, which I extensively learned from.
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year and the next five years?
For the upcoming year, I am focused on leading more Soulo Experience retreats, both group and private, 1:1 experiences and building my Soulo Travel coaching clientele.
Within the next five years, I am focused on more speaking opportunities where I can share the beauty of solo travel and inspire others to travel, as well as share my story to support others in their journeys; I also have a goal of modeling in 50 countries as part of my mission to support local photographers, designers, and stylists. I would also like to grow a team of coaches and intuitive travel guides to expand the mission of Soulo Experiences to more people.
I currently am at 11 international photoshoots. I also will write at least two books.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver. This is not a new book, but it was new to me. The book supported me in breaking through some old money patterns and beliefs and learning to trust that my needs are consistently met in exciting ways.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their businesses?
Focus on the feeling of what you want to obtain. Embody that feeling now. Focus on what lights you up and brings you joy. Act as if it is already true and create from that energy.
Don’t be attached to certain people as clients or in ways your business “has” to be. Allow it to evolve. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Share consistently and create value for your audience.
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
I recently hired a content manager. In the future, I would like to hire a PR agent to support my bigger vision goals.
Where can we go to learn more?
If you have any questions or comments, drop a comment below!
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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