Florence Achery, a retreat organizer, yoga enthusiast, and accredited sound healer, is dedicated to creating soulful spaces for connection and renewal. She hosts intimate yoga and wellness retreats in the UK, India, and the Gambia, offering experiences that blend adventure with deep inner silence.
One of Florence’s signature retreats is the “Digital Detox Retreat” in Cumbria, known as “Retreat Like It’s 1999!™”. This retreat invites guests to disconnect, recharge, and rediscover themselves without the constant buzz of technology. By keeping her groups small and intentional, Florence ensures that each participant feels heard, seen, and supported on their journey.
In addition to her work in wellness, Florence is a passionate animal lover and advocate. With three rescue dogs of her own, she actively supports global spay/neuter campaigns, donating £25 from each retreat booking to help reduce the population of stray and free-roaming dogs worldwide.
Whether it’s through yoga, sound healing, or her off-the-beaten-path retreats, Florence’s mission is simple: to help people reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the world around them.
In an interview, Florence discusses her entrepreneurial journey, from early struggles to the achievements that have shaped her online business success.
When asked about what inspired her to start her business and the problem she was passionate about solving, Florence shared that her own experiences with solo travel and yoga retreats inspired her to create her company. She discovered yoga in 1998 during a battle with depression and found solace in yoga retreats starting in 2000. Over the years, she attended various retreats around the world, leading her to envision the perfect retreat experience. This vision eventually led her to launch her own retreats in the UK, India, and the Gambia.
Florence’s business has evolved since its launch, with key decisions such as pivoting to host retreats in the UK due to travel restrictions during the pandemic playing a significant role in its growth. By focusing on small, intimate retreats with a mix of activities and downtime, Florence has been able to create a unique offering in a competitive market.
To stay connected with her ideal audience and understand their needs and behaviors, Florence relies on newsletters as a key marketing strategy. By consistently sending out newsletters and analyzing website data, she is able to stay engaged with her audience and tailor her offerings to meet their needs.
One branding move that significantly elevated Florence’s business was her focus on PR. By actively seeking out opportunities for press coverage and guest appearances, she was able to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to her website, and attract new customers.
For Florence, personal success goes beyond income and growth metrics. She defines success as happiness, satisfaction, and freedom. By giving back to charity, creating a job she loves, and fostering meaningful connections with her guests, Florence feels fulfilled in her work.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks, such as having to cancel her first retreat due to the pandemic, Florence persevered and found success by adapting her plans and launching retreats in the UK. This decision turned out to be a turning point for her business, leading to its growth and success.
In her daily routine, Florence prioritizes yoga, wellness, and time spent with her rescue dogs. By starting her day with yoga and a cold shower, taking breaks for nature walks, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, she stays focused, creative, and grounded as a leader.
For anyone starting a business in today’s rapidly changing digital world, Florence advises to prioritize human connection, be passionate and adaptable, avoid copying the competition, prioritize top-notch customer service, and focus on continuous learning and self-care.
To learn more about Florence’s work and offerings, visit her website yogaretreatsandmore and subscribe to her newsletter for exclusive discounts and updates on upcoming retreats.