Navigating The Middle: Leveraging What You've Created brings together accomplished pottery studio owners who are ready for strategic growth — and the experts who can show you exactly how.

Who is this retreat for?

​For you, the individual: a lakefront home on a peaceful peninsula with gorgeous views, watersports, all meals and snacks, and no shortage of inspiration.

​

For you, the accomplished studio owner: a diverse panel of speakers and discussions designed to meet you where you are today. Every session is built specifically for established studio owners who want to leverage what they've already built for more freedom, more security, and more of what matters.

​

The speakers: A first for the PYOP industry

​This is the most dynamic lineup of speakers to ever gather for pottery studio owners — industry professionals, financial experts, legal strategists, operations specialists, and visionaries, all selected because of what they have to offer you. After their sessions, speakers join us for meals, opening up deeper conversations you simply can't have at a traditional conference. The small scale means genuine time with the people in the room, and real discussions that continue long after you return home.

​​

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 — and sold out Summit 2.0 in 14 minutes with a 1,000-person waitlist.

​

The sessions

​Financial clarity, systems, operations and AI tools, tax and legal strategy, marketing an established studio, exit strategies, self-care practices and more. The connection continues all year: monthly virtual roundtables with retreat speakers and fellow attendees. 

​

​​September 14–17, 2026, Taylorsville, NC 

-The lakehouse is 1.25 hours from Charlotte Douglas Int'l Airport (shuttle transportation to and from Charlotte Douglas/separate fee)

-Arrive early Sunday, Sept 13 for relaxation, drinks, and dinner

-Tuesday night: Lake Hickory chartered boat tour and dinner

-Stay through Friday, Sept 18 for The Systems Implementation Plan, led by Mara Whitener

​

​Your stay

-Lake house — $1,950, all inclusive - SOLD OUT

-Off-site — $1, 000 includes everything (Sun-Fri, all meals) except lodging - SIX SPOTS AVAILABLE

-Pay in full at registration, or split it: half now, half August 1, 2026 (no add'l fee)

-TCR Members save $150 — find your code on the Members Platform

​

"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

​

A few notes

-All meals, drinks, and snacks provided regardless of where you stay

-Dietary needs? Include them at registration — you'll be completely cared for

-Registering with a second owner? Please submit two separate forms

-NTM is designed specifically for creative business owners with 8+ years of ownership