I recently attended an amazing Creative Retreat in Italy. I was excited to go, to connect with other and rekindle my creativity.
If you have known me for awhile, I am a go go go person and stopping and relaxing is not in my DNA. I’ve been an entrepreneur for many ears, this was truly my first vacation, I didn’t know how to stop working.
But I did. And I needed it. And it was wonderful.
I always love being around other creatives but this was special.
The group was a lovely mix of creative shop owners, creatives just expanding their creative side, painters and a few wanting to start up a creative business. It was pure pleasure to finally meet some of my coaching clients face to face with a hug, renew some long time friendships and make so many new friends. We were in a tiny beautiful hillside Italian town, and our creative sessions took place in an amazingly beautiful villa. It inspiring just being there.
My mentor and very good friend Miss Mustard Seed was there with us, along with a lovely and amazing group of creatives from all walks of life and locations.
As a creative retailer coach and mentor, I loved listening to and hearing the common threads of challenges they face as they navigate the balance of being a creative and running a business, and equally of the pure joy they get from their beautiful shops and using their creativity to make a living. There were some wonderful conversations that took place.
There is no way to explain the magic that happens with a group of like-minded creatives spend time together. In person, over dinners and walks through the old towns and bus rides. Sharing new fresh thoughts, fears, joys and inspiring ideas. Connecting.
As a creative, I can’t tell you how nice it was to step outside my normal creative “rut” and try some new techniques and be ok with failure and be surprised by successes, to listen to the others talk about their work, to share pictures and ideas and come home excited and eager to try my hand at new creative ideas.
The creative world is a solo endeavor usually, if you are running a business using your creative talents it can feel isolating. I loved the connections made with fellow creatives, connecting and my brain loved it too.
If you ever have an opportunity to get together with creatives, do it. If not a creative retreat in Italy, then organize a meet up in a local art gallery, or park, or coffee shop, find a group and make some connections.
There are online forums too, I have started a group for creative retail business owners on FB: JOIN US HERE! We can still network, share ideas, help each other and plan to meet up in the future!
Have you ever attended a creative retreat? I’d love to know where you went and what it was for.
If you haven’t been on one, but think it could be good for YOUR creative soul to take a biz break (kind of) … stay tuned. I had so much fun I’m thinking of gathering creative retail owners for stateside retreat!!
So the next question I’m asked, is when I’m planning my next creative retailer’s retreat…
Our Next Creative Retailer Retreat is March 24-26, 2020
That’s right! Back by popular demand, we are meeting again this year in Orlando in the early spring. This is where the magic and business-building happens. Click here to read more about this rate opportunity to meet with other creative retailers IN PERSON.
Wendy
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