I host mastermind retreats for my clients all throughout the year. It is one of the success strategies for my clients to grow their business, build community, learn leading edge concepts and so much more. I set high expectations for these retreats and this last one did not disappoint.
This particular retreat experience came about as a result of a few things:
- I am a HUGE fan of Chef Michael Smith and have been for about 15 years;
- Last year, I met him when he was checking into the facility where I was hosting a client retreat and we all spotted him in the lobby.
- All Canadians are familiar with him (he’s 6ft 5in….or even taller) as he is an icon in our country and well loved.
- We got into a discussion about the mastermind meeting, what it was all about, would I consider hosting them out of Province, etc. – the answer to the last part was a resounding YES when Chef Michael explained he had just bought and renovated an Inn in Prince Edward Island.
- The rest is history.
Once a year, I like to host what I call an ‘adventure retreat’ for my high-level clients. The agenda is not as ‘fixed’ as usual – and I like to throw in some surprises. I knew the likelihood of the Chef actually being ON the Island at the time of my retreat was minimal – but …..that didn’t stop me from making the ‘ask’ to have him at least welcome my clients and join us briefly in the meeting room. As it turned out, he WAS on the Island, he was happy to speak to my clients so both he and his wife joined us in the meeting room for what was originally going to be about a 15-minute time frame; they stayed for an hour and a half.
Let me share with you the top 5 business tips that set them up for success.
1. HAVE A DREAM AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.
Chef Michael spoke about his years and years in the culinary business – but that he always had a dream. That dream involved the property we were sitting on. The Inn had been owned previously, and it’s actually the kitchen where Chef Michael started out many years ago. He had a dream – that dream is now http://www.innatbayfortune.com A 5-start facility set in a gorgeous location. This past year, he and his wife, Chastity, worked their hearts out getting the Inn ready for guests this spring and summer. We were one of the first business groups to come on site – and experience ‘the dream’ LIVE”. You’ve got to have a dream. You’ve got to believe in your dream – it is your dream and does not belong to anyone else.
2. TAKE RISKS.
Chef Michael and Chastity spoke about the risks they took when buying the property – the financial risks, the emotional risks, the physical risks (it is located an hour from Charlottetown) and so much more. They explained that when you keep your eye on the dream, it’s easier to take risks. Was it all easy? NO. Was it all worth it? YES. You’ve got to take risks to follow a dream – especially when it’s a big dream. Just do it.
3. INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS.
Chef Michael and Chastity explained that they poured all of their money back into this facility. There were so many unexpected costs associated with bringing the property to a 5-star level – this was an old building – there are surprises behind those plaster walls! You’ve got to spend money to make money. You’ve got to put your money back into the dream. It gives you perspective when you experience your own blood, sweat, tears and finances coming to life in front of you.
4. IDENTIFY YOUR CORE VALUES.
Once you have identified your core values, it’s easy to make decisions. Chef Michael and Chastity were faced with a myriad of decisions to be made, on a daily basis, and the answer always came back to the core values they held. That applied to every decision from removing old railroad ties from the property through to the team that they have hired and work with every day. Business owners who have not identified their core values make very poor leaders – in fact, that’s not leading, at all. Make the time to sit, reflect, and list your core values for your business. Then, live those core values on a daily basis. See what a difference it will make in your business, your work, your team, your cash flow – your life.
5. ASSESS WHAT’S WORKING
One of the things Chef Michael spoke about was all the hard work and effort and time being put into the project of bringing the Inn to life! When he and Chastity stopped to review and assess what had been working – and what was not working – they quickly identified that they were not spending time on their priorities – family. Once that was identified, it was quickly rectified – last August, they spent a brief period of time with the children at the beach. They’ve already put plans in place to spend much MORE time with the children this summer – and to spend it intentionally. You’ve got to constantly assess and re-assess what’s working and what’s not – and then take action – so you are not living a life of regrets. You have the power – you are in control. Take responsibility.
Most people go into business so they have a sense of control over their lives – so that they have the freedom to make choices – to live their best life in the way they want to do it. It’s great to learn lessons from the people who have gone before us – who paved the way – who are willing to share the lessons. Now, it’s up to you to implement so that you, too, can have a successful and profitable business – AND live the life you’ve always wanted. It’s possible.
