Crealanta Magazine

The Strengthening of My Community Through Soulcial Suite's inaugural retreat

Jan 16, 2025

If there's anything I've learned through operating Soulcial Suite, it's that creatives flourish best within a group that truly understands their. The highs, the lows, the secret
 Inside jokes inside jokes, in-jokes "Why do you think Instagram doing this to us? !" vent sessions--it all hits
 Differently when you're in group of individuals who truly know.

That sense of belonging is the driving force behind that Soulcial Suite retreat, and it was a success.
 be an experience that deepened our community in ways I had never imagined.
 Here's how our first retreat brought us closer together, helped us build lifelong friendships as well as
 Reignited our mission.

Skip ahead:

Why a retreat? Because creators need real-life connection

Soulcial Suite was built on the notion of connections and shared knowledge, but
 there's only so much you can do by using screens. I saw how hard people were working
 being employed, how much they were giving, and honestly the amount they were burning
  out. Retreats seemed like an ideal way to get out of the screens and actually
 Enjoy quality time with one spend quality time with each. I wanted it to be an area where we could
 Think, recharge and develop.

My aim was to create a place that everyone could feel truly loved and valued.
 They were supported, they had the opportunity to be taught new techniques as well as where they could feel a sense of collaboration
  natural. I wanted it to be an experience that reminded them (and me) the reason we are
 started this journey in the first place.

Designing the retreat: The creation of an intentionally designed experience

When I began planning, I knew this couldn't simply be a handful of workshops tossed
  together. If we were going to put our energy (and in real life and honest, our time and energy) to this project, we must be able to work
 It was important to have a purpose. I spent weeks planning each day, every activity was to
 make sure it all was for a reason. The process of selecting the place to pick a location is a colorful,
 Modern Airbnb in my home city of Charlotte, NC--to structuring the agenda,
 Everything was selected to ignite these "a-ha!" moments and encourage true
  connection.
 The weekend began with an art lesson taught by SkillPop, which was such as a
 beautiful way for us to break the ice, and explore the core of why we do what is so wonderful to break the ice and discover why
  do. Then, every program builds upon the last, covering everything that Human

Design for Business and Unique Value Propositions to exercises focused on
 creating B-Roll content and the creation of brand-new photographs.

Moments that brought us together

If you are part of a community such as 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" and brainstorming solutions; they
 They were all about allowing one another to be real flawed people. The
 the discussions we had -- about getting our voices heard and dealing with setbacks having fun,
 These were exactly the kinds of conversation I've always wanted to have Soulcial Suite
 This would help.

The most memorable elements was the tiny moment when we were just getting to become
  friends. Following dinner on Saturday night of the retreat, we all got into our "Suite
 "Retreat" hoodies, which I donated to them and our pajama pants and cooked s'mores with them.
  fire. In this place, people were free to chat, connect, and simply be their own. Let's not forget to do not forget to
 I'll tell you what, watching people laugh was all the inspiration I needed to
 Continue to push for this community.

Impact on real life: how the retreat transformed the members of our group.

The power of in-person interaction hit us all hard. Many creators have told me that they'd
 They found those they could relate to, people who truly understood their
  struggles. One of our testimonials the attendee stated:

"I ended up making lifelong friends and discovering more about me along my journey."

Talk about tears-jerking

These connections continued well beyond the retreat itself. The members have been
 collaborating on projects, helping one another through difficult times and challenging each other to be better
 other up on their journeys. It's been a change in energy that is rekindling a belief in
 the community, and it's all thanks to the deep connection that we discovered at
  retreat.

The retreat's impact on Soulcial Suite's growth

Beyond the personal growth and newfound friendships This retreat is will be a memorable experience
 It strengthened the base that was the foundation Soulcial Suite as a community. Members were able to join in
 Back more active, more committed to supporting each other, and more committed
 within their individual journeys. This ripple effect is real. posts-retreat conversation has been more meaningful as well as our community has a stronger sense of as well as, honestly the experience is simply better
 The best spot for you to place to.

The retreat inspired new ideas about what Soulcial Suite could become. We've
 already planned the next retreat we will be having in June 2025. We are now considering ways we can
 keep building on the momentum. More workshops, more opportunities to network,
 and yes, definitely and yes, definitely.

What lessons have been learned and what's coming up for Soulcial Suite

Naturally, there's always an opportunity to improve. I gained so much knowledge from hosting
 this first retreat--things I'll keep on my mind for the next retreat (like making sure that you've got
 There are many healthy options for food rather than slumber party foods ).

My plan for the future is to keep investing into these experiences in person.
 There is nothing that strengthens a community such as time spent together in actual life.
 And now that I've seen what's possible, I'm now more driven than ever to make a difference.
 other meaningful moments for Soulcial Suite.

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

The retreat I attended reminded me of something fundamental the real-life connection.
 is the key to creating a vibrant community. When creators have a space to create, it is
 Together, openly share to grow the moment when magic occurs. Anyone who wants to get
 creating a community, I can't recommend in-person events enough. They're worth
 every bit of effort and investment. Soulcial Suite is stronger than any time because of
 It's a wonderful experience, and I could not be happier with our journey as a team.