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​​​​​​THANK YOU to Occasion for being a sponsor of Navigating The Middle
Another big thank you to Kelly Jesson, Jesson Rains Law, for her sponsorship of the retreat
​THE STUDIO EVENT OF THE YEAR
​​​You've built something real. Now let's make sure the second half is everything you want it to be.
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​Navigating The Middle: Leveraging What You've Created brings together 25 accomplished pottery studio owners who are ready to move from survival mode to strategic growth—and the experts who can show you exactly how.
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What makes this different:
This isn't beginner advice repackaged. Every session is designed specifically for established studio owners who want to leverage what they've already built for more freedom, more security, and more of what matters.
This is the most dynamic lineup of speakers to ever gather for pottery studio owners. You'll walk away with:
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Financial clarity: What your studio is actually worth and how to plan for what comes next
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Systems that run without you: Operations and AI tools that work for you - and without you
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Tax and legal strategy: Protect what you've built (and keep more of what you earn)
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Marketing that works: For studios that have been around, not startups
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An exit strategy: Whether you're selling in 2 years or 20
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Self-care practices: Because you can't pour from an empty cup
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And who better to have at the retreat than Molly Grantham? Molly founded the sell-out Bet On Yourself Summit™ in 2024 making history as the first-ever women’s event inside the Carolina Panthers NFL stadium. Summit 2.0 in April 2025 was an even grander success, with 1,000 person waitlist and sell-out in 14-minutes.
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The value continues all year: Monthly virtual roundtables with retreat speakers and fellow attendees. This isn't just four days—it's a year of connection, problem-solving, and growth with people who understand exactly where you are.
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Investment: pay in full or split (half at registration, half June 1, 2026—no additional fee)
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Lake house: $1,950 - all inclusive
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Off-site: $1,350 - all inclusive (list of area Airbnb's to share with other attendees)
Only 25 spots available. When they're gone, they're gone.
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"The ‘23 Creative Retailer retreat was everything I didn’t know I needed. I learned so much about myself and my business, all while being surrounded by a fabulous location, amazing food, and people who quickly became my closest business hive mind. Equal parts inspiring, grounding, and “why didn’t I do this sooner?” energy" - Lynn, Practically Pikasso
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This is your time. Register now.​
​​​RETREAT SCHEDULE
Speakers and times may be moved around
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Sunday, September 13
- early arrival *
- 7pm: dinner and drinks by the lake
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Monday, September 14
- 8am: breakfast
- 10am - 6pm: official retreat arrival, lake time and time with your people
- 6pm: dinner
- 7-9pm: Kalani Thomas, AI speaker and workshop
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Tuesday, September 15
- 7am - 8am: breakfast
- 8:30am - 9:30am: Dr. Michelle Schmerge - The Second Half Strategy: Health & Vitality for Women Building Legacies
- 10:30am - 12pm: Molly Grantham - Bet On Yourself: Look Forward, Take Initiative, Lead Confidently
- 12:30pm: lunch
- 1:45pm - 3:15pm: Michele Nidiffer - The Visibility Breakthrough Workshop
- 3:45pm - 5pm: Mara Whitener - Built to Last or Built on You? Your Studio Systems Reality Check
- 6pm: an evening at Lake Hickory Pub and Marina: dinner, drinks and a Lake Hickory boat tour **
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Wednesday, September 16
- 7am - 8:30am: breakfast
- 9am - 10am: Yajaira Tiscareño, small business accountant - Maximize Your Studio's Financial Power: Smart Tax Strategies for Creative Entrepreneurs
- 10:30am-11:30am: Kelly Jesson, Small Business Attorney and Estate Planning - Protecting What You've Built:
Legal Structure for Today's Growth + Tomorrow's Transition
- 12pm: lunch - sponsored by Jesson Law - thank you!
- 1:30pm - 3pm: Nicole Malone and Jamie McGarity, Solaris Strategic Wealth - The Two-Balance-Sheet Life: Business
Equity + Personal Freedom = Real Options
- 5pm: dinner
- 6pm: Marketing Deep Dive with Alex Ownings and Hillary Moulliet
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Thursday, September 17
- 7am - 8:30am: breakfast, Susan Crews - lakeside mindfulness activity
- 10am - 11am: Randy Mitchell, VR Business Sales - What They're Really Buying: Creating Value Beyond Equipment
- 11:30am: lunch
- retreat wrap-up; you have the option to stay through noon or extend your retreat *
- 2pm - 5pm: Mara Whitener's deep dive workshop - How can you leave the lake house when there's MORE?! The Build-Out Workshop: Your Systems Implementation Plan, is a follow-up from her Tuesday session. Take all that you gleaned from the speakers and put it into an actionable plan with Mara's assistance. This is where the rubber meets the road - or in Mara's case, the construction paper meets the planner (you'll see!)
- 6pm: dinner
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Friday, September 18 (optional)
- 7am - 8:30am: breakfast
- 9am - 10am: lakeside mindfulness activity
- 11am: wrap up
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Registration notes
- * Retreat add-ons: shuttle transportation to/from Charlotte Douglas Int'l Airport, early arrival on Sunday, and Thursday's in-depth workshopping session may be selected when you register for the retreat
- ** Evening at the Marina: light apps and drinks are served on the boat; one drink ticket per person can be redeemed for any beverage; dinner at the marina is each attendee's responsibility​​​​​