Details + Information
What is a Hollowberry Hostess?
A Hollowberry Hostess is someone who hosts retreats that are open to individual registrations, hosting on behalf of, and working in partnership with, the owners. The hostess does not have to pay to attend the retreat.
A successful HH may be included in the VIP Facebook Group, and may also receive an exclusive invitation to the annual VIP Hostess Retreat in the spring. A proven HH may also be trusted with keys to the additional parts of the house not normally available to guests.
Who can become a Hollowberry Hostess?
You qualify if you...
...have attended 4 or more weekend retreats anywhere, OR
...have hosted 2 or more weekend retreats anywhere, OR
...have attended 1 or more retreats at Hollowberry Manor.
What is expected of me as Hostess?
When hosting, you'll remain at the Manor for the duration of the retreat, greeting your guests upon arrival, and closing the house after their departure. You'll make sure your guests have what they need, be there to answer questions, and provide whatever amenities you've included in your retreat.
First Steps: Choose Dates, Price, & Inclusions...
If you are thinking about hosting, take a look at the BOOKING CALENDAR and look for an open section of dates that work for your schedule, within the next 6 months. Use the PLANNING SHEET to help determine what you want to include in your retreat, and how much the final price will be.
You, as the hostess, get to decide exactly how you want to run your retreat. You can be "no frills" all the way up to "over the top." It totally depends on what your style is, how much work you want to put into it, and what retreaters you are trying to reach.
If you are ready to commit to hosting a retreat weekend, email us at hello@hollowberrymanor.com. We will work together to get it on the calendar!
Next Steps: Creating the Retreat + Sharing It...
Once we have finalized your retreat plans, we will build the retreat in our reservation system. We will decide together what date to open up registrations. We (the owners) will advertise on our website, social media, and newsletter; you (the host) will also share with your friends and network.
Do I need to collect money or information from guests?
No! Our registration system will take care of all of that. We will share information from our registered guests with you so you can communicate directly with them beforehand.
How can I help my Retreat fill with bookings?
Talk about it! As experienced host, you already know how to get people involved. In addition to our company advertising, you should make an equal effort to advertise through social media, word of mouth, and even printed flyers. A full retreat means more commissions and future opportunities for you!
What happens if my Retreat fills really fast?
That's great! Once your retreat is full, any other interested guests can join the waitlist. They will be notified - in the order they joined the list - if there is a spot that opens up.
What happens if my Retreat doesn't book very many people?
One of the best parts of being a Hollowberry Hostess is that the risk is mostly on us. You will not lose any money or be accountable financially for a small registration list. Commissions will be less however, as they are based on the number of participants, so a full retreat is always the goal!
If there are no reservations yet, and you would like to change some of the parameters of your retreat, we can make those alterations.
If there are just a few reservations, the retreat will still move forward.
Can I sell my products or advertise my business?
Yes, you can! If you are a distributor of creative supplies, or have a creative-based business, you are welcome to share your materials, teach classes, sell products, and talk about your work. I do ask that this information be up front and part of the registration information. Some people love additional classes with new products, and others don't like to be sold to or pressured; it's best to let folks know expectations from the beginning, and make things optional where possible.
Do I get paid? What does compensation look like?
Being a Hollowberry Hostess is not a paid position or employment of any kind. Rather, it is a fun way to do something you love! Come to the retreat for free, and introduce Hollowberry Manor to new retreaters.
In addition to your retreat fee being waived, you'll receive a commission payment shortly after the retreat concludes. This will range between $15-25 per attendant, and will be determined by the success of the retreat {success factors include number of registered attendees, performance during the retreat, and reviews of your guests}.
When can I host again?
If you enjoyed being a Hollowberry Hostess, that's great! To host again, you'll follow the same procedure, starting with choosing a date that is open sometime within the next 6 months.
The "first right of refusal" benefit only applies to private groups, so the same dates next year will not be held for you as a Hollowberry Hostess. Instead, think of this as an opportunity to keep things fresh, and to continue to meet/include new people!