Your Retreat Pricing Sucks (And Here’s Why)
The Brutal Truth About Underpricing, Overpromising, and Screwing Yourself Over
Let’s get one thing straight: if your retreat pricing is based on what you think people will pay instead of what it actually costs to run a sustainable, profitable retreat, you’re already f*cking up.
I see it all the time—retreat leaders charging just enough to maybe break even, underestimating expenses, or worse, pricing so low that they’re barely covering their own damn costs. And why? Because they’re scared. Scared to charge what they’re worth. Scared people will say no. Scared they won’t fill spots.
Well, guess what? If you don’t price your retreat properly, you’re guaranteeing failure. Not just for this retreat, but for every retreat you try to run after you burn yourself out and realize you’ve been working for free. Let’s fix that.
1. You’re Underpricing Because You’re Afraid
Be honest—are you setting your price based on actual math or on a deep-seated fear that people will think it's “too expensive”?
Listen, luxury hotels don’t sit around worrying about whether people can afford their rooms. They price for value. They price for profit. They price strategically. And if you want to be taken seriously, so should you.
The Fix:
Start with a real cost breakdown—venue, food, transport, guest speakers, materials, insurance, marketing, your time (yes, YOUR time counts).
Add a 30% buffer for the unexpected—because trust me, shit will go wrong.
Then add your profit—because this isn’t a charity, and you deserve to make money.
2. You’re Overpromising to Justify a Low Price
I see it all the time—people cramming in too much to make their retreat “worth it” at an unsustainable price point. Gourmet meals, private rooms, luxury excursions, gift bags, 1:1 coaching—all for a bargain basement rate that makes no sense.
Here’s the truth: no one values something just because it’s cheap. They value it because it’s transformational. If your pricing forces you to cut corners, that’s the experience people will remember.
The Fix:
Simplify your offer—more isn’t better, better is better.
Charge based on the value you provide, not the number of things you cram in.
Stop giving away shit for free just to convince people to buy. If your retreat needs bribery, your messaging is the problem.
3. You’re Screwing Yourself Over by Forgetting Profit
Too many retreat leaders price just to cover costs. That’s dumb. A retreat isn’t just a vacation for your guests—it’s a business. If you’re not building in profit, you’re working for free.
And if you think, “Oh, I’ll make it up on the next retreat,” let me hit you with some reality: if your first retreat doesn’t make money, you won’t be around for a next one.
I took a fantastic course called The Retreat Blueprint Program by Wanderlust Entrepreneur, led by Sheri Rosenberg. It was a fabulous course, and I highly recommend it. In that course, she taught us that given the amount of work we put into our events, we should be earning a minimum of $10,000.
The Fix:
Aim for at least 30-50% profit per attendee. That means if your retreat costs $2,000 per person to run, your price should be at least $3,000—minimum.
Stop thinking of profit as optional. It’s the reason your business exists.
Do the math before you commit. If your pricing doesn’t allow for profit, raise your rates or cut your costs. No exceptions.
4. You’re Attracting the Wrong People
Cheap pricing attracts bargain hunters. And guess what? Bargain hunters are the worst freakin’ clients. They demand more, complain more, and stress you out the most.
Meanwhile, premium clients—people who want transformation, not just a cheap getaway—are out there waiting to pay for the right experience.
The Fix:
Raise your prices and watch the quality of your clientele improve overnight.
Position yourself as premium. If you act like a budget retreat, you’ll attract budget customers.
Stop apologizing for your price. Own it. Confident pricing breeds confident buyers.
5. You’re Ignoring What High-End Retreat Leaders Are Doing
Want to know the secret to high-end retreat leaders consistently selling out their events at double your price? They understand perceived value.
They price based on the experience, not the logistics. They sell the outcome, not the itinerary. And they don’t let fear dictate their pricing.
The Fix:
Study high-ticket retreat leaders. What are they charging? What are they offering?
Level up your branding and messaging. A $5,000 retreat shouldn’t look like it was thrown together in Canva overnight.
Charge more and deliver an unforgettable experience.
If You Don’t Take Your Pricing Seriously, No One Else Will
Pricing isn’t just a number. It’s a statement. A declaration of your value, your expertise, and your confidence.
You can keep playing small, pricing out of fear, and running yourself into the ground. Or you can step the hell up, charge what you’re worth, and build a real business that sustains you.
Your choice.
Now go raise your damn rates.