Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jenny Tecklenburg, founder of Ultimate Retreats, located in North Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
When you feel the need to have a vacation, you typically desire a full reset. At Ultimate Retreats, we carefully curate a schedule and hold that space for that reset. We combine the holistic practices of a wellness retreat with the laid-back relaxation and fun energy of a vacation. We bring in top wellness instructors and healers to guide you through a journey of a full reset both inside and out.
Every retreat takes you through daily movement (yoga, fitness, cardio), meditation, local adventures, incredible nourishing cuisine, and fun. You are taken care of and encouraged to go deep within to release things that no longer serve you through breathwork, guided journaling, and other activities. These retreats are unique and created for people who are craving a reset in breathtaking sunny and hot locations while getting to know and love themselves a little more.
Tell us about yourself
I come from a background in Tourism and Personal Training. Within these years, I saw both sides of people who vacationed. I saw the tourists over drinking, overeating, and doing a lot of sitting. Then in my years of personal training, I would see many clients go away on vacation, lose progress, completely abandon their new healthier habits and come back feeling tired, undernourished, and well... hungover.
Until one of my clients came back from a Yoga Retreat, she had a new glow to her and as she told me all about her week away. I was instantly inspired. I went home that night and found myself in search of a retreat for me. I decided to go a little more intense and signed up for a three-day Silent Retreat. Fast forward four months later, I found myself at this 'retreat,' which unfortunately was one of the worst experiences of my life and turned out to be a cult. What a way to experience my first retreat.
This experience led me to create retreats that I, and others like me, would love. A beautiful mix of holistic practices like yoga, meditation, breathwork, and guided journaling with the fun of a vacation like sunset dinners, local tours, adventures, and connecting with other like-minded humans.
This is how Ultimate Retreats was created, and my guests that show up to do the work and have the fun is what keeps me motivated to keep going. I truly believe that everyone needs to experience a retreat in their lifetime. This is a true vacation for those that desire a new way to reset.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Taking risks and not quitting when things get hard, and no one is picking up what you're putting out. It takes time, patience, and persistence.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Not letting external sources cloud your vision. At the end of the day, this is a business with my vision. I know this vision is what so many people need, however, the wellness industry can be challenging to sell to potential clients that have never felt the beauty of holistic practices. There is still a stigma around doing inner work, and it is my goal to help normalize this work and these types of vacations.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Just Start. Start dirty and clean it up as you go. The momentum you build will help create your vision. Drop the perfectionism attitude and keep moving forward.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Give yourself the experience of a retreat at least once in your life.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://ultimateretreats.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultimateretreatsmexico
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultimate_retreats_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennytecklenburg26/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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