How to Run a Profitable Retreat

1. Clarify the Outcome & Ideal Attendee

The most successful retreats are built around a clear transformation (“what I want you to leave with”) and a tightly defined audience. As one expert puts it: you don’t first build the retreat and then hope people show up — you pick who it’s for, what result they want, then design around that.

When you know the outcome, you can price accordingly, and attract people who will pay for results rather than just “time away.”

2. Understand Your Costs & Set a Pricing Strategy

You won’t be profitable by accident. A typical retreat business model shows cost-break downs that look like this: venue 35–45 %, staff 10%, food/accommodation 25 to 30 %, marketing 10–20 %.

At The Perch, the venue rental includes the barn and grounds as well as accommodations, and you can use add our private chef for simplicity or have a variety of options for guests, that may cost less. Many people choose The Perch because of its proximity to the Los Angeles area and San Diego.

We suggest that you decide on your minimum number of attendees for a break-even cost, then set the pricing so you’re profitable at full capacity. Some tricks might be to charge more for larger or private cabins, special dietary meals, early bird pricing, private coaching sessions, and an extra night.

3. Choose the Right Venue & Logistics (which The Perch already has going for it)

A venue that is aligned with the retreat’s purpose, and whose cost structure you understand, is essential. For most retreats, people look for a setting that’s aesthetic, has a gathering space for communal meals, a peaceful setting that inspires reflection, space, simple but clean and pleasant accommodations and a location that’s easy to get to, yet away from the day to day distractions, where it feels remote. (The Perch checks off all these boxes)

4. Design a High-Value Experience

Profit isn’t just about pricing — it’s about value perceived. Guests will pay more if they believe they’ll have a meaningful experience, not just another trip. A good retreat experience balances content/workshop with relaxation, connection with privacy, engagement with reflection.

5. Market Early and Steadily to Fill the Retreat

Many organizers have so much to share, and excel at planning everything but worry about not having enough participants. It’s wise to test your ideas out first, by surveying your colleagues and clients. Be sure to ask them about what you think you’d charge for the retreat as well. Then modify if needed. When you’re ready, market early! Put a marketing plan together with and keep it going. One mailing or a pop up on the website isn’t enough.

Try offering early-bird specials for early payments or incentivize with a personal critique or inner circle workshop. Use testimonials and visuals of The Perch (ask us...we can provide stuff!)

6. Build Streams & Upsells

To boost profitability, look beyond the basic package. According to one model – think about offering extra coaching sessions, an additional night, branded merchandise, affiliate partnerships, pre- or post- retreat sessions, etc. to boost revenue per person.

7. Manage Risk & Track Metrics

Profit depends on hitting occupancy, managing costs, and ensuring operations don’t eat into your margin with surprise expenses

Survey your guests and do more of what they liked and less of what didn’t go quite so well in your next retreat.

Analyze to understand your total costs and figure out your break-even number of attendees.

8. Turn One Retreat Into Many

The most sustainable models treat retreats as repeatable systems, not one-offs. Our research shows that 20–40% profit margins are achievable when you systematize and scale.

Using the same setting (The Perch, of course), minimizes new venue setup each time. Accommodations, travel and vendors all become plug and play.