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Library
Pull something off the shelf. I write most weeks about the parts of an event nobody sees.
New on the shelf
everything on the shelf
How to plan an event from scratch: decide these five first
Starting from nothing is mostly a question of order, and the wrong order is what makes it feel impossible. This post covers five decisions that make every decision after them significantly easier, and what to do with each one.
When hosting scares you: Why that nervous energy means you’re ready
The nerves before a first event get read as evidence that you're not ready yet. They usually mean you understand exactly what you're taking on. This post covers what that energy is actually telling you and what to do with it.
Stop waiting for permission: Host the event that puts you in charge
Waiting until you feel ready is itself a decision, and it tends to hold longer than anyone plans for. This post covers what changes when you host the thing rather than attend someone else's, and why the timing rarely feels right beforehand.
3 low-stress ways to build client trust through small, intentional gatherings
You don't need a full retreat to get people in a room together. Three lower-stakes formats sit between a webinar and a four-day event, and this post covers what each one builds and which one suits where your business is now.
Why so many retreat hosts say “never again” and how to avoid burnout
Guests loved it, the photos were beautiful, and privately you decided you'd never do that again. That reaction has a cause, and it usually has nothing to do with the event itself. This post covers where it comes from and what changes it.
How to prevent your retreat from falling apart (even if you’re a first-time host)
Something changes in a client relationship after you've been in a room together. She replies faster, refers more freely, and renews without a conversation about it. This post covers what actually happens in that room and why an afternoon does what a year of posting cannot.
The costs that ruin an event budget are almost never the big obvious ones. They're service charges, early load-in fees, and the categories no template thinks to list. This post covers where they hide and what to ask before you sign.