First Founders Getaway, Alys Beach, FL
A creative retreat held at an amazing location and hosted by artists I really admire.
Yes … the first Founders Society getaway weekend checked all of the necessary boxes. And by the end of the weekend, it checked boxed I didn't even know existed.
In January 2024, a group of creative entrepreneurs gathered at the most beautiful beach home on 30A. The weekend was led by two women with the kindest hearts and biggest vision, Hayley Price of The Scouted Studio and Meg Indy. Interior designers, artists, web designer, floral designer, art gallery owner, photographer, and fashion designer were just a few of our collective skills.
Meg Indy & Hayley Price - retreat leaders
Photographer: Katie Hevesi
FRIDAY
We arrived Friday evening, gathered in the great room overlooking the beach and quickly began conversations that continued the entire weekend. It was an outstanding group of sincere, authentic, kind, hardworking, innovative ladies. And, the most beautiful friendships began to form.
This evening (and every evening) ended with reflections that we wrote in our journals and our hearts. Hayley and Megan prompted us to write about our creative journeys. We thought about where we began, what we would tell our younger selves and what our younger self would want for us now.
Writing those words and reading them again helped us find our North Star… to remember our “Why.”
SATURDAY
The first morning included breakfast, cold plunges and a walk on the beach. (I may have only indulged in one of those activities.) Then we loaded up for our field trip to Rosemary Beach. We visited a jewelry designer Ex Voto to learn more about her designs and inspiring story. There is always so much to learn from other business owners.
The Saturday night pajama party began as we put on pajamas and met back for dinner and our own version of QVC. Everyone had just a few minutes to go to their bedrooms and grab an item to sell on our own QVC channel. Founders women own their own businesses and are creative at heart. So, it was funny to hear the selling points of items we couldn’t live without including: hair perfume and expensive camera equipment “that will lead you to being asked to take photos for all family events for free.” The on the spot ad lib copywriting and content creation would have made any marketing firm proud.
SUNDAY
Once again, our peaceful morning routine included wellness activities, breakfast and a morning journaling session.
Afterwards, we gathered in the sunshine on the balcony overlooking the gulf. With the sound of waves crashing, we created our own collaborations and presented them to our very own Shark Tank. Retreats, art, business growth and dreaming big were the theme.
Then, we headed to Alys Beach for lunch at The Citizen and shopping. The most fun photo shoot followed with our professional photographer, Katie.
Sunday night was the our last night and it was celebrated with a truly Pinterest worthy soiree. We combined our creativity to set a beautiful table, write words of affirmations about each group member, prepare a beautiful dinner, and write down the memories of the weekend. But, the champagne on the beach at sunset was the most precious part. Cheers to us!
Bubbly on the beach at sunset
A soiree to remember
MONDAY
Monday morning was definitely a Monday. It was January, and most Founders were heading back home into extremely cold and icy conditions. Departure times were varied and some were rushed. Three Founders found themselves with canceled flights but handled it with grace and style, of course. And, we all left with renewed hearts, precious friendships, and memories of the most amazing weekend.
“Our hope in starting the Founders Society was to curate gatherings for creative women to come together, dream bigger and to do so in good company. To our delight, what transpired that weekend in Rosemary was that and so much more. From the cross pollination of entrepreneurial pursuits to the deep friendships formed, our time together as a society of women was nothing short of magic. And we are only just getting started!”
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Comments below are wanted! Would you attend a weekend like this?
Big thank you to all of my talented friends for these amazing photos in our shared photo album. xo