The Retreat Genius

The Retreat Genius

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The Retreat Genius
The Retreat Genius
The Silent Budget Killers Lurking in Your Retreat Plan

The Silent Budget Killers Lurking in Your Retreat Plan

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The Retreat Genius
Feb 09, 2025
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The Retreat Genius
The Retreat Genius
The Silent Budget Killers Lurking in Your Retreat Plan
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Hey there, retreat mastermind.

You’ve got the vision. The dream. The perfect venue picked out, the transformational itinerary locked and loaded. Hell, maybe you've even priced it all out—confident that you’re not just covering costs but actually making money on this thing.

And then the hidden costs gut-punch you right in the wallet.

Suddenly, your “$10K in profit” fantasy is looking more like “how the hell am I barely breaking even?” And that’s if you’re lucky.

I see it happen all the time.

  • The charming venue that conveniently forgot to mention the cleaning fees, mandatory gratuities, and WiFi upcharge.

  • The “included” catering that definitely doesn’t include vegan options, late-night snacks, or enough damn coffee.

  • The instructors, speakers, and facilitators who need flights, hotels, and three meals a day that weren’t in your original budget.

  • The insurance you didn’t think you needed until someone twists an ankle during a sunset yoga session.

And let’s not even start on the bullshit fees hotels love to throw in at the last minute.

If you don’t know your hidden costs, you’re already losing money.

But you? You’re smarter than that. You’re here because you want to run a retreat that’s not just soul-nourishing but actually fucking profitable.

So, here’s what I did.

I put together the ultimate hidden cost checklist—a brutal, no-fluff breakdown of every sneaky, overlooked expense that can wreck your retreat’s budget before you even sign the damn contracts.

Some of my favorites?

  • “Shuttle Fees & Local Transport” – Because your retreat isn't teleporting attendees to that remote ashram in the jungle.

  • “Assistant Compensation” – Because, oh right, you're not superhuman and might need help.

  • “Tour Guide Tips” – Because leaving them out makes you look like an amateur.

  • “Hotel Internet Fees” – Because, of course, they charge you per device like it’s 2002.

  • “Laundry Services” – Because guests are messy, and retreat towels don’t wash themselves.

That’s just a taste. The full list? It's inside, waiting for you to download

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© 2025 Nickolas Vannello
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