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If there’s one thing I’ve learned from running Soulcial Suite, it’s that creators thrive
best in a community that genuinely gets them. The highs, the lows, the niche
inside jokes, the “Why is Instagram doing this to us?!” vent sessions—it all hits
differently when you’re in the company of people who really understand.

This sense of belonging was what fueled the Soulcial Suite retreat, and it turned out to
be an experience that deepened our community in ways I hadn’t even anticipated.
Here’s how our first retreat brought us closer, created lifelong connections, and
reignited our purpose.

Skip ahead:

Why a retreat? Because creators need real-life connection

Soulcial Suite was built on the idea of connection and shared knowledge, but
there’s only so much you can do through screens. I saw how hard everyone was
working, how much they were giving, and honestly, how much they were burning
out. A retreat felt like the perfect way to step away from the screens and actually
spend quality time with each other. I wanted it to be a space where we could
brainstorm, recharge, and grow—together.

My goal was to create an environment where everyone felt truly seen and
supported, where they could learn new strategies, and where collaboration felt
natural. I wanted it to be an experience that reminded them (and me) why we
started this journey in the first place.

Planning the retreat: curating an intentional experience

When I began planning, I knew this couldn’t just be a few workshops tossed
together. If we were going to invest our time (and let’s be real, energy) in this, it
needed to be meaningful. I spent weeks planning each session, each activity, to
make sure it all served a purpose. From handpicking the location—a giant colorful,
modern Airbnb in my home city of Charlotte, NC—to structuring the agenda,
everything was chosen to spark those “a-ha!” moments and foster true
connection.
Our weekend kicked off with an art class taught by SkillPop, which was such a
beautiful way for us to break the ice and dive into the heart of why we do what we
do. From there, each session built on the last, covering everything from Human

Design for Business and Unique Value Propositions to exercises focused on
creating B-Roll content and new branding photos.

Key moments that brought us together

For a community like ours, collaboration and shared experience are everything.
So, I incorporated sessions where members could openly discuss their struggles
and brainstorm solutions together. These moments weren’t just “networking”; they
were about allowing each other to show up as real, imperfect people. The
discussions we had—about finding our voices, dealing with setbacks, celebrating
wins—were exactly the kind of conversations I’d always hoped Soulcial Suite
would encourage.

One of the most powerful parts was the small moments where we just got to be
friends. After dinner on the Saturday night of the retreat, we all got into our “Suite
Retreat” hoodies that I gifted them and our pajama pants and made s’mores by the
fire. Here, members were free to chat, connect, and just be themselves. And let
me tell you, watching everyone cry laughing was all the motivation I needed to
keep pushing for this community.

Real-life impact: how the retreat transformed our members

The magic of in-person connection hit us all hard. So many creators told me they’d
found people they could finally relate to, people who truly understood their
struggles. In one of our testimonials, an attendee said:

“I ended up making lifelong friends, and learning more about myself along the way.”

Talk about tear-jerking 🥹

These connections continued well beyond the retreat itself. Members have been
collaborating on projects, helping each other through tough spots, and lifting each
other up on their journeys. There’s a new energy, a renewed sense of purpose in
the community, and it’s all thanks to the depth of connection we found at the
retreat.

How the retreat fueled Soulcial Suite’s growth

Beyond the personal growth and newfound friendships, this retreat truly
strengthened the foundation of Soulcial Suite as a community. Members came
back more engaged, more committed to supporting each other, and more invested
in their own journeys. The ripple effect was real—our post-retreat conversations have been richer, our community feels stronger, and honestly, it’s just a better
place to be.

This retreat sparked new ideas for what Soulcial Suite could become. We’ve
already planned our next retreat for June 2025 and are thinking about how we can
keep building on this momentum. More workshops, more opportunities to connect,
and yes, definitely more retreats.

Lessons learned and what’s next for Soulcial Suite

Of course, there’s always room for improvement. I learned so much from hosting
this first retreat—things I’ll keep in mind for next time (like making sure you have
plenty of healthy food options instead of just slumber party foods 🤣).

Moving forward, my plan is to keep investing in these in-person experiences.
Nothing strengthens a community quite like spending time together in real life.
And now that I’ve seen what’s possible, I’m more committed than ever to creating
more of these meaningful moments for Soulcial Suite.

Final thoughts: the power of face-to-face connection

Hosting this retreat reminded me of something essential: real-life connection is
the catalyst for a thriving community. When creators have a space to come
together, share openly, and grow, that’s when the magic happens. For anyone
building a community, I can’t recommend in-person events enough—they’re worth
every bit of effort and investment. Soulcial Suite is stronger than ever because of
it, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the journey we’re all on together.

To learn more about Kristen and the Soulcial Suite, check her story here!