024 Wellness & The Retreat Economy

"It’s actually easier in a lot of ways to sell ten $3,000 tickets than it is to sell 200 memberships every month."

Whether you’re a veteran studio owner or a wellness leader dreaming of your first international getaway, this episode serves as your ultimate roadmap to the $400 billion retreat industry. Join Laura Munkholm as she sits down with Jen Russell, owner of Seattle’s Flight Room and a mastermind in the wellness space, to pull back the curtain on the “messy middle" of retreat planning. 

Jen shares her unconventional journey from impulse-buying an aerial yoga studio to scaling a global retreat business, offering candid advice on how to avoid $5,000 mistakes and build high-profit experiences without burnout. From navigating the shifting travel habits of Gen Z to mastering the build the plane while flying it mentality, this conversation is packed with the logistical and mindset shifts needed to turn a passion for travel into a sustainable revenue stream.