Hispanic Enterprise - June/July 2008 - (Page 22)

BIZLIFE FOR WOMEN ONLY GOING PLACES By Sharon McDonnell BUSINESS RETREATS OFFER WOMEN THE OPPORTUNITY THE CONNECT, RECHARGE THEIR BATTERIES,AND CHART A NEW DIRECTION esides sponsoring business leadership conferences for women, Linda Wind of Possible Woman Enterprises began to offer annual women-only business retreats for professional women more than 10 years ago. She found an eager market that has continued to grow. Her most recent winter retreat was held at Grand Velas Resort & Spa, a luxury resort on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. It featured workshops, panel discussions and presentations on ethics, life/work balance, investing money wisely and networking, with program held in the morning and evening. But afternoons were free for the 70 women to pamper themselves in the world-class spa, relax, swim, and mingle at a cocktail recep22 B tion before dinner by the pool or on the beach. Those so inspired could also partake in yoga on the beach at dawn. Why has Wind focused on women only? “Women need to get away from their families and businesses to take care of themselves, and come to the core of who they are,” said Wind, who also as held retreats at Royal Hideaway Playacar on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera and The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island, Florida. “It’s not all about professional development, but about creating inner strength and wisdom to inspire a woman and take her to the next level.” Other groups offer similar programs, some more open than others. An organization of high-powered women ranging from business owners and venture capitalists to senior leaders in government and nonproﬁt groups all over the world held its annual retreat this January on an island in Belize, Ambergris Caye. The mornings at El Pescador, a small, highly-rated eco-resort, featured food for thought with panels on topics such as innovation in business and life, cutting-edge professions and how to ﬁnd purpose and passion in life. Afternoons were fairly unstructured, so participants could bond over leisure and sports activities, like a catamaran trip and theater skits, followed by long leisurely dinners of local cuisine. “It’s no business suits, no selling, no divas,” says Susan Stautberg, co-founder of Today’s Already Rising Achievers (TARA), the invitation-only organization in New York that sponsored the retreat. HISPANIC ENTERPRISE June/July 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hispanic Enterprise - June/July 2008

Hispanic Enterprise - June/July 2008 Contents Briefcase: BIZBUZZ: Business Briefs Briefcase: Dynamic Trends Briefcase: Q&A Briefcase: Trendsetters BizLife: BizTech BizLife: Travel Feature: Target: Hispanics Cover Story: A Legend in His Own Time Feature: Top 25 Franchises Success & Motivation: The Talent Scout Education: Success by Degrees Finance & Investing: A Tough Sell Social Events: Emerge Dallas Politics & Government: The Accidental Americans Managing: Deconstructing Networking

Hispanic Enterprise - June/July 2008

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