{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"EP 275 Retreat Leaders vs Venue Owners: The Disconnect Costing You Money","description":"If you\u2019re building a retreat business, this episode is required listening. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Catherine Kontos, founder of RetreatBoss, RetreatMatch, and RetreatBoss Magazine, to talk about what it actually takes to build a sustainable and profitable retreat business. With over 14 years in the industry-and a background acquiring and selling over 100 businesses and properties-Catherine brings a level of real business strategy that most of this industry is missing. This conversation about the realities of running retreats as a business. They dive into: The biggest mistakes retreat leaders make Why Airbnb and VRBO are NOT designed for retreat businesses The legal and insurance risks most people ignore What makes a venue truly \u201cretreat ready\u201d Why venue owners carry more risk than most people realize The importance of contracts, vetting, and site visits Why both retreat leaders and venue owners need training and strategy If you\u2019ve ever felt like the retreat industry lacks structure, standards, or clarity-this episode will explain why. And more importantly, what to do about it.   What You\u2019ll Learn in This Episode \u2022 How to build a sustainable retreat business \u2022 Why Airbnb and VRBO are risky for retreats \u2022 What \u201cretreat ready\u201d actually means for venues \u2022 The importance of contracts and legal protection \u2022 How to properly vet retreat venues \u2022 The biggest disconnect between retreat leaders and venue owners   Key Takeaways Retreats Are a Business-Not an Event And they need structure, strategy, and protection.   Airbnb Is Not Built for Retreats Using it for business events can create: legal issues cancellations insurance gaps   Venue Vetting Is Critical Not all venues are equipped to host retreats-even if they look good online.   Contracts Matter More Than You Think Most people: don\u2019t read them properly don\u2019t negotiate don\u2019t understand the risks   Venue Owners Carry Massive Responsibility From liability to operations, hosting retreats is not simple-and requires planning.   Training Is Not Optional Both retreat leaders AND venue owners need: coaching strategy professional development   About Catherine Catherine Kontos is a strategist, business builder, and ecosystem founder shaping the future of the retreat and human experience industry. As the founder of RetreatBoss, RetreatMatch, and RetreatBoss Magazine, she brings more than 14 years of experience to the space. With a track record that includes acquiring and selling over 100 businesses and properties, including retreat venues, Catherine brings a rare blend of transformational experience design and serious commercial acumen. Through certification, consulting, media, and international collaborative partnerships, she helps retreat leaders, venues, and experience-based brands build offerings that are not only meaningful, but strategically positioned for visibility, profitability, and lasting legacy. Learn more at: https:\/\/retreatboss.com\/    The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links: Learn to Host Retreats Join our private Facebook Group Top 5 Marketing Tools Free Guide Get your legal docs for retreats Join Shannon in Denver at the Retreat Industry Forum  Join our LinkedIn Group Apply to be a guest on our show Grab the AI + SEO Mini Course   Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let\u2019s create a vibrant retreat community together! Subscribe:  Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify ------- TIMESTAMPS Introducing Catherine Kontos (00:01:26) Guest Catherine Kontos introduces herself and her company, Retreat Boss, which matches venues with professionals and includes a magazine. Pivoting During the Pandemic (00:02:28) Shannon and Catherine discuss the challenges of running a retreat business during COVID-19 and the importance of entrepreneurial pivoting. Common Mistakes: Venue Sourcing (00:04:41) The discussion shifts to common mistakes retreat leaders make, specifically focusing on the risks of booking venues like Airbnb. The Dangers of Booking on Airbnb (00:05:06) Shannon and Catherine detail the legal, insurance, and cancellation risks of using vacation rental platforms for business retreats. The Importance of Contracts (00:08:11) Catherine emphasizes the necessity of reading contracts thoroughly, understanding what's included, and negotiating terms with venues. Why Direct Booking is Better (00:12:08) Booking directly with a venue is often cheaper and more secure than using third-party platforms like Airbnb. About the Retreat Boss Platform (00:12:55) Catherine explains her platform, which only lists vetted, "retreat-ready" venues to ensure a high-quality experience for leaders. What "Retreat Ready" Means for Venues (00:15:36) Catherine outlines the criteria for a venue to be considered "retreat ready," including equipment, setup, niche focus, and staff training. Coaching for Venue Owners (00:18:32) Catherine describes her training programs that help new and existing venue owners prepare their properties and staff for hosting retreats. Mistakes Venue Owners Make (00:20:19) The conversation covers the significant work and liability involved in owning a venue and the need for a solid business plan. Advice for Retreat Leaders (00:21:57) Catherine advises retreat leaders to get proper training and treat their work as a serious business, not a hobby. Episode Wrap-Up (00:23:08) Shannon thanks Catherine for her insights, promotes her magazine and website, and concludes the episode with a call to action. ","author_name":"The Retreat Leaders Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/retreatleaders.libsyn.com\/podcast","html":"