ALL BUSINESS. NO BULLSHIT.

The No Bullshit Freelance Retreat

A FREELANCE RETREAT LIKE NO OTHER

There are lots of feel good, warm and fuzzy retreats. This is not one of them. Want a week of connection with freelancers? Brainstorming? Problem-solving? (Fun included, don’t worry!)

This is the no more excuses, no more waiting, get your shit actually together retreat with the people who get your life.

If you’re done rebuilding, rebranding, rewriting, delaying, and scrambling, and want structured guidance on scaling your business, and a community to back you up and help you celebrate & reinvigorate, you’re in the right place.

 

The NO BS FREELANCER RETREAT reminded me that as a freelancer, I am not alone. It was an invaluable experience that gave me the confidence to raise my rates, challenge my own thinking and connect with others in the freelancing community. I would highly recommend!

β€” 2021 PHILADELPHIA RETREAT ATTENDEE

THE LEARNING

Think of the No BS Retreat as a freelance conference on steroids. We’ll cover a lot (a lot) of ground, so come ready to sprint. We’ll do group exercises, breakouts, and guided individual planning to tackle challenges and opportunities in your business like:

  • Pitching and closing work, and establishing your unique selling propositions and how you work that into your pitches.

  • Developing confidence in your business (goodbye to imposter syndrome, hello to a supportive network of friends)

  • Long term planning for your business: How do you sunset services? Fire clients? What marketing channels make the most sense for you? How do you transition your business through big changes? We’ll cover it all.

  • Pricing, pricing, pricing!

  • Pipeline development: building a referral program or a loyalty program? Discounts for repeats? Bundled services? We’ll scratch out the best plan for your business.

  • Transitioning into new business models (moving from solo to agency, using contractors, staying niche by choice)

  • Dealing with burnout and work-life balance. So elusive, but so important.

THE SOCIALIZING

Freelancing can be lonely, and no one truly β€œgets” our world like our community that lives it. A community of people that you can lean on to help build your business is essential; no freelancer succeeds without one. This retreat will connect you with other freelancers, consultants, and business owners who are working on their business, not just in it.

We’ll have our meals together, happy hours, and get to know each other as real (read: quirky) people as well as serious business owners. You’ll leave with an established support network of freelancers in a variety of fields who can help celebrate your wins and support you through challenges. Instagram friends you’ll get to know IRL? Yes please.

THE EXTRAS

What’s a retreat without a few surprises and feel-good add-ons? No matter which experience you decide to join the No Bullshit freelancers for, you’ll get a taste of the local area, as well as business-building essentials baked into the flat cost of the retreat. In past retreats, these extras have included branding photos and headshots, dinners out, as well as face time with an accountant to ask burning financial questions.

THE NITTY GRITTY (AKA THE DETAILS YOU WANT, BUT DON’T WANT TO ASK):

Everyone will have their own bedrooms (we’re adults ya’ll, I’m not asking you to bunk like summer camp). All food, drinks, snacks, activities, happy hours, etc will be provided. You’ll only be responsible for transit to the retreat location city and any souvenirs or extras you may want to do if you extend your time. Even if you’re local to the area, you’ll stay with the group for the retreat.

Spots for the retreat are super, super limited. Retreat spots are confirmed on a first-come-first-paid (just your deposit) basis and are non-refundable. Due to COVID-19, you will have to be fully vaccinated to attend the retreat (but do not have to be vaccinated at time of application).

2024/2025 Retreat Announcement coming soon!

 

[The NO BULLSHIT FREELANCE RETREAT] was a great opportunity to take some time to work on my business, away from the day-to-day focus on client work. It gave me a chance to reflect on what’s working and what isn’t, where I want my business to go in the next year and how my business can enable the type of life that I want to have. It was also fun to meet other small business owners and freelancers. I feel like I’ve made some new friends and colleagues who really understand what this kind of work and life is like!

β€” 2021 PHILADELPHIA RETREAT ATTENDEE

Upcoming Retreats

2023 retreat announcement coming soon

JOIN US IN 2023!

Past retreat locations have included Philadelphia and Lisbon.

Ballpark cost: $2-3k per person

As a way to make the No BS experience more accessible, all retreat programs are offered with the option to pay installments in a payment plan for no extra cost. Payment plans for this retreat offered at no extra fee for 4 installments. Once the deposit is paid, you’re confirmed. I’ll also be sending you a brief questionnaire to help me tailor the experience to your needs and preferences. Attended a previous No BS retreat? Alums save $250 on any future retreat!

[The NO BULLSHIT FREELANCE RETREAT] was amazing. It didn’t just help me understand the structure of how I can run a small business, but it helped me re-focus on what I want in the long run, and it was amazing to get to spend time with all of the other women at the retreat who understand the struggle!

β€” 2021 PHILADELPHIA RETREAT ATTENDEE

RELATED READING ON THE BLOG

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A FREELANCE RETREAT

Whether you’ve been on several freelancer retreats before, or if this is your first time, going into the experience prepared and ready to work will help you to make the most out of your investment.

Apply for the next retreat

JOIN us on THE 2022 NO B.S. RETREAT!

Ready to book? We can’t wait to see you on our next retreat.