What I Learned at a 7-Figure Business Retreat in Napa Valley
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So I’m just getting settled back in Switzerland after an 11-hour flight from California—hello, jet lag!
But there’s a good reason I made the trek…
Don't get me wrong, Switzerland is an incredible place, and I’m so grateful to live there. But as amazing as it is, it’s also tiny—like, 9 million people tiny. And, as much as I love my life here, the female online entrepreneur scene is… well, let’s just say it’s a bit sparse.
Being a business owner can be a lonely road sometimes.
You’re sitting by yourself day in, day out, tackling all the business challenges on your own. It’s so important to have friends who get it—who are going through the same things, who can help you navigate the big decisions.
And unfortunately, I haven't found that in Switzerland yet.
Psst…if you know where to find it, please let me in on the secret!
Until that magical day arrives, I need to hop on a plane every now and then and head to where that kind of community does exist.
Which is why I recently found myself in California, attending the Create & Cultivate Seven-Figure Founder Retreat.
They picked Napa Valley for this year’s retreat (who could say no to a business trip in wine country?), but I swear I wasn’t just there for the wine.
I did have a few business goals in mind:
Make a New Business Friend (or seven!)
Understand My Customer Better: While a lot of people assume I’m American (I did go to university in the U.S.), I’m actually Canadian and have lived in Europe for the past eight years. I actually haven’t even visited the U.S. at all since before the pandemic.
I feel like it's always a good idea to stay in touch with my customer’s culture and lifestyle. So, every now and again, I need to immerse myself in the U.S. vibe.
Find My New Go-To Wine: Okay, this one wasn’t exactly business-related, but since we were in wine country, I was on a mission to discover my new house white. Riesling had been my favorite, but lately, my palate’s been craving something new. With two wineries on the retreat schedule, I was hoping to find that perfect bottle.
Okay but before we get into the more serious businessy stuff of this post… can we please take a moment to appreciate this random San Francisco robot sighting I had while waiting for my uber to Napa?
San Francisco is the future. 😂
Day 1: First Impressions of the Retreat
After a long Uber ride from San Francisco, I finally arrived at the hotel—and let me tell you, it was stunning.
I unpacked quickly and got ready for the evening’s festivities, which included a tour around a local winery and a lovely dinner.
But I’ll be honest with you guys: the anxiety was REAL.
Walking into a room full of people I don’t know has got to be in my top 3 least favorite things. 😅 The things you do for your business!
but at the same time… what was The best part of my evening?
Getting to chat with so many amazing women who run businesses in industries completely different from mine.
There weren’t a lot of online course creators there, which was actually a fun change for me. I feel like I had the opportunity to collect a lot of new perspectives.
It was fascinating to hear from those who’ve developed physical products or have other business models. It was especially interesting for me because I’ve always thought that one day I’d, like to take on a business model that’s a bit more challenging (Online courses are much easier to run business-wise than physical products are).
outfit of the day 👇
Day 2: Talks, Talks & More Talks
The next day started bright and early with an energy healing session on the lawn—I’m always so game for sound baths, meditations etc. because I find them so relaxing and de-stressing.
Then, it was time for some serious business talk.
I found myself particularly drawn to conversations about the pros and cons of having a business partner or co-founder.
Many of the women there had partners in their businesses who were even at the retreat with them.
I also had an interesting chat with a woman in the luxury wedding industry.
We talked about the misconception that using the word “luxury” in marketing attracts high-end clients, when it often attracts mid-market ones.
She shared some intriguing insights about how family wealth plays a huge role in funding luxury weddings, especially in the South, compared to places like New York or California, where couples often foot the bill themselves.
Later, I met Izzy, who runs a makeup bag company.
We had a deep dive into her business journey—from googling how to start a business to strategizing about product longevity, avoiding size variations, and ensuring durability. It was a fascinating glimpse into the practical aspects of running a product-based business.
OUTFIT OF THE DAY 👇
Day 3: Closing Talks, Reflections by the Pool & Wine
As the retreat wrapped up, I spent some time relaxing by the pool and had two insightful conversations with women who run a marketing agency and are looking to get into courses.
It was a bit humbling to realize that my business was one of the smaller ones at the event, but that’s also what made it so inspiring. Seeing what’s possible when you dream big was incredibly motivating.
One key takeaway: Building a seven-figure business isn’t an overnight success story. Many of the women there had been at it for over ten years. It was a good reminder that if you’re aiming for that level of success, it’s important to commit for the long haul.
And on a similar note, it’s sometimes best to focus on scaling a single proven product than to constantly be coming up with new products.
Another highlight was realizing that not everyone needs to be the face of their business to build something amazing.
It was refreshing to see so many women who’ve built successful brands without being front and center. There’s definitely a path to success that doesn’t involve constantly being in the spotlight, which was a good reminder for anyone who, like me, sometimes struggles with the whole social media game.
OUTFIT OF THE DAY 👇
Post-Event: Biking, Pancakes, and Final Thoughts
After the retreat, I was exhausted but wanted to get a little physical activity in before the long flight back. Plus, I felt like I hadn’t had a chance to really leave the hotel bubble and explore the area.
So, I borrowed a bike from the hotel and rode into the adorable little town of Calistoga.
I grabbed breakfast at a plant-based eatery and indulged in some pancakes—because when in America, right?
Reflecting on the event, I came back with a notebook full of insights.
From the importance of getting straight to the point in content creation to diversifying marketing strategies, there were so many valuable lessons.
One standout was the discussion on selling businesses and the different types of buyers—definitely food for thought as I continue to grow my own business.
All in all, the Create & Cultivate retreat was an incredible experience.
If you’re feeling a bit lonely in your business journey and craving connections with like-minded women, I highly recommend attending an in-person event like this.
The friendships i built and the inspiration i gained were worth every minute of the 11 hour flight.
If you’re interested, they’re hosting a retreat in Miami this September.
It could be a great opportunity to expand your network and get that much-needed dose of inspiration.
Until next time, Napa! ✨
Oh and if you want to get more into the heads of 7 -figure entrepreneurs, def be sure to check out this video next where I reveal the top secrets to business success that nobody talks about.
