Exploring Life & Business with Michelle Meyers of AZ Soul Retreats

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Meyers.

Hi Michelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in a small town in Minnesota, I had a pretty clear idea of what success and happiness were supposed to look like, at least according to everyone around me. So, I diligently checked all the boxes: good grades, solid career, climbing the corporate ladder. Yet, no matter how many milestones I achieved, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something important was missing.

In 2007, just as my career was taking off, my husband and I decided to do something most people only dream about, we hit pause. We packed our backpacks and set out on an 18-month adventure through more than 30 countries. We volunteered in remote villages, served communities facing extreme poverty, trained in yoga in India, and embraced an entirely different way of life. This transformative journey opened my eyes and my heart, showing me a much bigger world and forever changing my perspective.

Returning home, I was determined to apply these powerful experiences to my professional life. I dove back into corporate America with renewed energy, purpose, and global insight. Over the next decade, I successfully led major business lines at companies like Realtor.com and Opendoor, excelling in executive roles in strategy, operations, and sales. The empathy and insights I gained from traveling were my greatest strengths in the demanding corporate environment.

Despite my success, I sometimes pushed myself too hard. Like many high achievers, the relentless demands of my roles occasionally consumed me, leading to burnout. Each time, I’d find clarity by stepping away, retreating into nature and quiet stillness to reconnect with myself.

One particular retreat profoundly changed my career path. I arrived exhausted, unsure of my next steps, and left with a clear vision: to build a business combining my corporate expertise with the soulful, meaningful experiences I’d discovered abroad.

I’ve chosen to pay forward the gift of space and clarity that retreats have given me. Today, I partner with businesses perfectly positioned to offer retreat experiences to their clients. From strategic planning to detailed logistics, I manage every aspect, empowering these businesses to deliver transformative retreats that deeply impact their attendees while strategically growing their brands. Retreats aren’t just powerful experiences for those who attend; they are also smart, effective growth strategies for the organizations offering them. Because businesses committed to meaningful work deserve and need to thrive financially.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building this business has been one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences of my life. In the beginning, I assumed my high-level corporate roles would make entrepreneurship easy. They didn’t. In fact, I had to unlearn the polished persona, the pressure to be perfect, and learn to show up with vulnerability, especially when it came to branding and marketing, which turned out to be some of the most personal work of all.

What’s surprised me most is how much my business mirrors my inner world. There’s no hiding when you’re the brand. No title to lean on, no script to follow. You have to walk your talk and work constantly to be the best version of yourself both inside and out.

Every time I’ve faced something uncomfortable, whether it was self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or figuring things out on my own, I’ve grown. Slowly but surely, I’ve built a business that reflects who I really am. Honest. Evolving. Rooted in purpose.

It’s also been really lonely at times. There’s no built-in team or roadmap. There’s no one to grab a beer with after work when I’ve had a tough day. I’ve had to be intentional about finding community and reminding myself I don’t have to do it all alone.

But what I’m building now feels more real than anything I’ve done before. It’s not just a business. It’s a reflection of the grit, grace, and growth it took to get here and I’m super proud of that.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
AZ Soul Retreats is more than a retreat planning company. It’s a strategic partner for purpose-driven businesses ready to amplify both their impact and their income through unforgettable, immersive experiences. I’m genuinely proud that the work I do not only helps my clients serve their communities more deeply, but also strengthens their bottom line. Because let’s be honest, retreats can only change lives if they’re financially sustainable.

Here’s the truth most people don’t know: Retreats aren’t just experiences for your clients. They’re revelations for your business. They have a way of holding up a mirror and revealing what’s aligned, what’s messy, and where the real opportunities lie. I’ve watched business owners walk away from a weekend retreat with clearer messaging, stronger offers, deeper client loyalty, and brand direction they couldn’t find behind a desk, a ring light, or in endless one-on-one sessions.

What sets AZ Soul Retreats apart is my ability to blend big-hearted mission with clear-eyed execution. People say I’m a total business nerd with hippie flair. I can build a retreat experience that feels magical and still runs like a well-oiled machine. My obsession with systems, strategy, customer experience, and sustainable growth started long before I ever stepped into a meditation circle. I’ve run multi billion-dollar operations, led national teams, and lived in the world of dashboards, margins, and metrics. That knowledge now benefits every single client I work with.

Today, I bring that same operational excellence to entrepreneurs doing meaningful work. Many of them simply need a hand (or a spreadsheet) to help walk the delicate line between purpose and profit. That’s my superpower.

Starting AZ Soul Retreats was one of the bravest and best decisions I’ve ever made. It has stretched me, challenged me, and given me a front-row seat to some of the most beautiful human transformations I’ve ever witnessed, both personal and professional.

If you’re reading this, know that retreats aren’t just for yoga teachers and healers. They are powerful tools for any business. Whether you’re a financial planner, a stylist, a brand strategist, or a therapist, a retreat can help you deepen client connection, expand your reach, and take your business model to the next level.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Hosting retreats is wildly popular these days, and for good reason. Some businesses make over $50,000 per retreat. When done well, they’re transformative, memorable, and yes, lucrative.

But what most people don’t realize is just how much work it actually takes to do one right. We’re talking close to 200 hours of planning to create marketing, build payment systems, manage communications, coordinate logistics, mitigate risk, and make sure every last detail is covered. And that’s all before you show up to host and hold space.

Most people don’t have the capacity for all of that. Or they simply don’t want to. They’d rather just show up and do the transformational work they’re here to do.

And then there are the nuances, the kind you only understand through experience. It’s not just about picking a beautiful location or having a compelling idea. It’s about matching the theme of your retreat to the energy of the location. It’s knowing how to design an itinerary that supports real transformation, not just one that looks good on paper.

It’s also about having a strategy behind your message. One that naturally translates into smart pricing, a sustainable budget, and a guest experience that builds trust at every step. When you have someone on your side who already knows where money gets lost, where logistics break down, or where the energy dips, you gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

You don’t just avoid costly mistakes. You create something that actually delivers the experience you promised.

That’s where I come in.

If you’ve been dreaming of leading a retreat but feel overwhelmed by the details, or if you’ve done one before and swore you’d never do it again, I’d love to help.

Whether you’re looking for full support or a strategic partner to walk the journey with you, that’s exactly what I do. You bring the vision. I’ll help you bring it to life in a way that feels aligned, grounded, and impactful, for both your guests and your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.azsoulretreats.com
• Instagram: @azsoulretreats