PANGEA DREAMS ALUMNI BLOG
WITH LAUREN PELKEY
BALI EDITION – FEB 2017
Why did you decide to join us on a retreat? What excited you most about the retreat?
I got to a point where I knew I wanted to get serious with my blog, but I didn’t really know what my next steps were going to be, and I was feeling stuck. I came across the retreat through Tracy’s Instagram, and I truthfully didn’t know what to expect. The mix of fun, networking, workshops and of course a gorgeous location like Bali is what drew me in, but I wasn’t convinced that I was going to learn too many new things, to be honest. Which brings us to the second question…
Did the retreat live up to your expectations?
No – they exceeded them! There’s no way I could have expected to create a network of bad ass travel boss ladies and leave with the confidence and motivation to keep working towards my dream like I did. I learned SO many things about social media, building a brand, photography, collaborations (the list goes on) that I simply did not have a handle on before attending The Retreat. It absolutely blew away my expectations and got me on track for smashing my goals.
How did your life change after the retreat?
Since the retreat, just 6 months later, I’ve worked with over 30 hotels, B&Bs & tour companies across Peru and Colombia. Before The Retreat, I had never worked with a brand before, and had a very small following on my social media channels. I can honestly say there’s no way I would be in this position without the knowledge, confidence, and motivation I attained from The Retreat. My whole life has changed! I went from not knowing what my next steps were, to creating a plan and moving forward, full speed ahead towards my goals. My following, my professionalism and my confidence has grown immensely, and when you’re confident and believe in what you’re doing… it’s amazing what you can accomplish!
Tell us about the photoshoots and content that was cerated while on the retreat!
Where to begin! The photoshoots and the content that was created while on the retreat was absolutely gorgeous and was professional, super high quality. We went to the most gorgeous locations for photo shoots (many places I had never heard of, and it was my second time in Bali) and I had amazing content to use on my social media channels for at least a month, if not more. Not only was the content I received from The Retreat amazing, but it also helped me take my own photography and content creation to the next level. I learned what makes a good photo in terms of lighting, editing, and even posing and composition. I swear just the photos themselves are worth the cost of The Retreat!
Would you recommend the retreat to a friend or someone who is interested in joining us on a retreat?
I don’t even have to think twice about recommending The Retreat. Really, anyone who is looking to expand their network, and take their blog or social media to the next level should attend. For me, it was the perfect jumping off point for kicking my content creation into high gear and creating a more professional, branded social media and blogging presence.
How did it feel to be surrounded by other likeminded women? How did that motivate you?
This was by far my favorite part of The Retreat. I mean I could go on about how helpful the workshops were and how amazing the content creation was, however, to me the most valuable aspect of The Retreat was the network of likeminded women that I met! The environment is incredibly nurturing, with positive energy and motivation radiating off of every woman there. I think it’s easy to feel down or alone when you’re trying to build something/ are at the beginning of your journey, and being surrounded by other women in a similar position to me was very inspiring. I felt like I could do anything. All of the women on The Retreat were whip smart, such go getters, and overall it was so motivating to be in an environment with people like that. I now have a network of women I can reach out to if I am ever feeling stuck or in need of a little motivation/support. We keep each other going, and reassure each other that we’re on track and what we’re doing means something! I left with a group of lifelong friends, which I think is pretty special. In addition, Tracy is a really great mentor and is very serious about helping you accomplish your goals and succeed. These girls are always there for me and for that I am forever grateful!
