Entrepreneurs are escaping for days of intense focus, isolation, and brutal feedback from their peers. Then they come back feeling refreshed. Ready to go?
Christina Stembel had a 70-item to-do list and no time to tackle it. So in 2018, she decided to eliminate all distractions. She’d get an Airbnb cabin in Ojai, Calif., with limited cell service, and spend a weekend alone with her work. She mentioned this plan to another founder she met at an Ernst & Young award ceremony, and the woman asked to come along. Stembel reluctantly agreed. Then the woman invited a friend. And with that, Stembel thought her time away would devolve into a social free-for-all.
But as the three founders settled in at their cabin, Stembel discovered an unexpected benefit. All three women ran companies that create tangible goods and generate millions to tens of millions of dollars in revenue: Stembel founded Farmgirl Flowers, which ships ethically sourced bouquets across the Lower 48; she was joined by Ellen Bennett of Hedley & Bennett, maker of premium aprons and chef’s gear, and Chelsea Shukov of Sugar Paper, a high-end stationery business.
At the cabin, the women began swapping experiences and insights, and soon they scrapped their original plans for the trip. They wouldn’t tackle their to-do lists. Instead, they’d help one another with challenges in their businesses. “I didn’t come back thinking, Wow; I got so much accomplished,” says Stembel. “I came back feeling, Wow; I’m thinking about things in such a different way.”
This story is from the July - August 2019 edition of Entrepreneur.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July - August 2019 edition of Entrepreneur.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why Small Businesses Can't Afford to Grow
Big companies take a long time to pay their suppliers. Sometimes, so long that the supplier goes out of business. Two entrepreneurs wanted to find out why this system is so broken-and wound up creating a solution.
MY FAVORITE CUSTOMER
For small, independent businesses, loyal patrons are benefactors, protectors, muses, and mascots. They make sure the show goes on. Here, three business owners celebrate an irreplaceable member of their community.
Do You Say 'Yes' Enough?
We don't give ourselves enough credit for trying. So let's start doing it right now.
He Does $10 Million-Plus in Sales
When Jeffrey Bell gave up horse training to buy a Floor Coverings International franchise, he wanted to get out ahead of his new pack. To do that, he had to learn to delegate.
How This Business Rookie Became a Top Seller
After competing in two Olympics, Cammile Adams dove headfirst into her second career - and became SafeSplash Swim School's #1 franchisee. Here's how.
How to Pick the Perfect Franchise For You
There are a lot of great brands out there. But that doesn't mean they're all a great fit.
Serving the Underserved
When Dennis Johnson opened a Pizza Ranch in Minnesota, he hoped to serve the nearby Native American communities in more ways than one.
When Life Is Preparation
Vanesa Ellis was no expert on mosquitoes or lawn care. But as it turns out, something else made her the perfect fit for two home-care franchise brands.
Changing Careers? Consider Franchising.
Here are five reasons why franchise ownership could be the right fit for you.
WRANGLING THE MANY-HEADED MONSTER
For mom-and-pop business owners, just as inflation calms in one area of operations, it rears its head somewhere else. The best way to stay on top of it, experts say, is to stay flexible.