10 Common Mistakes Retreat Leaders Make (And How to Avoid Them)
The Mistakes That Will Cost You Time, Money, and Sanity"
So, you want to run a retreat? Awesome. But let’s understand one thing —this isn’t just some dreamy getaway where you gather people in a cute location, light some candles, and hope for the best. Running a retreat is an art. A science. A balancing act between transformation and logistics, vision and execution, inspiration and hard cash.
And yet, so many retreat leaders screw it up. Not because they aren’t talented. Not because they don’t care. But because they walk straight into avoidable, expensive, stress-inducing mistakes that turn their “dream retreat” into a logistical nightmare.
If you’re leading retreats (or thinking about it), here are the 10 biggest mistakes I see over and over again—and how to make damn sure you don’t fall into the same traps.
1. Pricing Like a People-Pleaser (AKA, You’re Undercharging & Overdelivering)
I see it all the time. You’re so scared of pricing “too high” that you end up charging “just enough to cover costs” while running yourself into the ground.
Stop. Right now.
Your retreat is not just about accommodations, food, and a few activities. It’s about transformation. It’s about the months (or years) of experience you’re bringing to the table. It’s about the energy and expertise that only you can provide.
💡 Fix it: Price your retreat for sustainability, not survival. Factor in your time, expertise, marketing, and the real cost of delivering a high-touch experience. And for the love of all things holy, don’t price out of fear. Price out of actual costs and value.
2. Forgetting That a Sold-Out Retreat Doesn’t Mean a Profitable Retreat
Just because you fill all your spots doesn’t mean you’re making money. Math, my friend. It matters.
Too many retreat leaders celebrate “selling out” before realizing they forgot to include taxes, transaction fees, venue deposits, marketing costs, transportation, and most importanly—paying themselves.
💡 Fix it: Before you even announce your retreat, run the numbers. Break down every single expense, add a buffer (because surprise costs will happen), and pay yourself FIRST. You are not a charity. You are a business.
3. Assuming People Will Just ‘Find’ Your Retreat (They Won’t.)
You build it, and they will come? Cute. But wrong.
Retreats don’t sell themselves. Just because you know it’s an amazing, life-changing experience doesn’t mean your audience does. If you’re not actively marketing, talking about it, building trust, and making it easy for people to say YES, you’re basically hoping for a miracle.
💡 Fix it: Stop hiding. Show up. Sell unapologetically. Talk about your retreat before you launch it. Build a waitlist. Engage your audience. Post testimonials. Make it easy for people to commit.
4. Overstuffing the Schedule (AKA, Burning Out Your Guests & Yourself)
You don’t need to fill every waking second with workshops, yoga, meditations, excursions, group circles, journaling, and sound baths.
Your guests didn’t come for a retreat bootcamp. They came for breathing room.
💡 Fix it: Design a balanced itinerary. Give people space to process, reflect, and integrate. Build in downtime. Your retreat should feel expansive, not exhausting.
5. Picking a Location That Looks Good on Instagram but Sucks in Real Life
Gorgeous photos don’t mean a damn thing if the retreat center has bad food, uncomfortable beds, no Wi-Fi when you need it, or a surprise 90-minute hike just to reach it.
💡 Fix it: Visit in person if you can. If not, get real, unfiltered reviews. Ask past retreat hosts about their experience. Check for hidden fees, extra costs, and whether the staff actually supports retreat leaders—or if they’ll leave you scrambling.
6. Thinking ‘Selling’ Ends Once the Retreat Starts
So you’ve filled your retreat. Amazing. But what happens next?
Most retreat leaders miss the massive opportunity of turning guests into repeat customers, private clients, or lifelong community members. Instead, they wrap up the retreat, say goodbye, and… that’s it.
💡 Fix it: Have a clear post-retreat strategy. Offer an upsell (VIP coaching, another retreat, a mastermind). Keep the momentum going. Your retreat isn’t just an event—it’s an entry point.
7. Ignoring Contracts & Refund Policies (Until It’s Too Late)
If you don’t have a clear, enforceable cancellation and refund policy, you are one bad guest away from a financial nightmare.
💡 Fix it: Get everything in writing. Deposits? Non-refundable. Cancellations? Covered. Last-minute no-shows? Your policy protects you. A simple contract can save you thousands.
8. Trying to Do Everything Alone (And Melting Down in the Process)
You cannot—and should not—do it all. Running a retreat requires a team.
Even if it’s just an assistant, coordinator, or local guide, having support keeps you sane and makes the experience better for everyone.
💡 Fix it: Delegate. Outsource. Hire help. Retreat leaders who try to do everything alone burn out fast.
9. Failing to Prepare for the ‘What-Ifs’ (Because Things WILL Go Wrong)
Flights get canceled. Guests get sick. Weather doesn’t cooperate. Something unexpected WILL happen.
💡 Fix it: Have a backup plan. Create contingency strategies for transportation issues, medical emergencies, and bad weather. A well-prepared retreat leader stays calm while others panic.
10. Forgetting That This Is a Business—Not Just a Passion Project
Retreats are about transformation, connection, and deep experiences. But they are also about running a sustainable business.
If you don’t take your retreat business seriously—financially, legally, and logistically—no one else will.
💡 Fix it: Treat this like the business it is. Get professional contracts. Price appropriately. Market confidently. And own the fact that you’re not just leading a retreat—you’re building something bigger.
Final Thoughts: If You’re Gonna Do It, Do It Right
Leading a retreat isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do—when done well.
Avoid these mistakes. Price yourself properly. Market like you mean it. Plan for the unexpected. And most of all—run your retreat like the life-changing experience it’s meant to be.
If you’re serious about doing this the right way, stick around. Because this? This is just the beginning.