Flow & Freedom Leadership Retreat

Looking back, I’ve had quite the business journey…

I remember when I decided to take my healing practice beyond the spiritual center where I became licensed in 2009, and how big my dreams were to reach more people and spread my unique message across the lands of the internet and the world beyond.

I was so full of hope and purpose! I was gonna make a DIFFERENCE!

I had spent my teens and 20’s studying revolutionaries, alternative approaches to spirituality and leadership, and just wanted to share my message and my service, not become a sales person or a business person.

The lifelong anarchist & activist parts of me didn’t want to PARTICIPATE in the system, they wanted to DISRUPT and SHIFT the systems of business, money, and power. 

Oh, how naive I was then!

I was committed, though, to making a difference in the world with my work, so I invested big time and money into all the missing pieces: marketing & business classes & courses, long high-ticket programs for holistic practitioners to learn client attraction and positioning oneself as the authority, plus countless hours playing with the technology and systems to make it all happen online.

These were things I had actually been resisting for most of my adult life. 

Business things. Marketing things. Sales things. 

So I learned, I studied, I practiced.

I wanted it all to work SO BAD. 

And it did… sort of. But it didn’t feel very good. And it took a lot out of me.

Yes, I was seeing clients and that work was fulfilling for both of us, but the way they came to me seemed more like a fluke than a symptom of all my efforts. It didn’t feel repeatable. 

It also didn’t feel authentic; it was like I constantly needed to become someone else to make it all work. (I now know this as masking)

I felt so confused by what to focus on, what tasks to do, and how to show up in a way that brought in the right people, that I kept churning thoughts about my business 100% of every day, as my ADHD brain tried to answer the burning question: how do I do this “right”?

At this point I not only felt powerless to create a business model that truly worked for me, I felt powerless to change the world in the big way my soul yearned for.

It was like I was a tree that had spent so many seasons growing and building energy up to offer this delicious fruit, and most of it was just laying there, rotting on the ground.

I felt defeated as I watched my peers grow their businesses and impact, while here I was still feeling at square one after years of seeing clients and building my business online.

I craved more ease and flow, more joy and pleasure, and a sense of confidence in how I ran my business (not just in the services I was providing).

It was so jarring to have my sessions and lessons with clients feel light and fulfilling, while all the other parts of my work felt heavy and exhausting.

By the end of 2017, after years of pushing so hard and working all hours and days and trying all the things, I crashed… HARD.

I had to admit to myself: it wasn’t working. I wasn’t happy. My mental & physical health were suffering. 

After all my years of healing and growth, I was disappointed in myself for letting things get so bad. I couldn’t do it anymore.

So, I gave up. 

Seriously. I gave myself permission to stop trying because it was hurting me and stealing my joy and negatively impacting my health and my relationships. 

I spent the last few weeks of 2017 on the couch, recovering from a severe chronic health flare up, wondering what I would do once I burned it all down.

Then, as 2018 began, a different voice spoke up within me. The voice that came from the deep purpose that I’ve had my whole life.

This voice said gently but firmly, “you can still do this, but you’re gonna have to do it differently. You’re gonna have to lead yourself in a different way. You’re gonna have to heal some wounds that are in the way. You’re gonna have to remember who you are and take a stand to be THAT.”

In that moment, I had a huge realization of some major things that had been missing in my approach: healing, and leadership.

I teach that awareness equals choice, and with this new found awareness, I could make different choices!

I had to be honest with myself that I had big wounds around being told to do things in a way that goes against my values, my neurodivergence, and my lifestyle. 

I also had wounds around power and authority that needed attention so I could show up as a leader for my business and for my prospective clients' healing journey. 

In order to do that, I had to stop giving my power of choice away to other coaches, leaders, and influencers, and to learn how to make progress my way… without force, domination, or shame as my tactics.

I had to step into a different kind of leadership for myself, my business, and my people. To utilize my strong connection to my body, my intuition, and Spirit.

This changed everything. 

That year I went from barely making any money to increasing my income each month for the first three quarters of 2018. I was able to pay down those business investments I made, and go on a vacation with my family where I was fully present, not trying to solve business problems in my mind the whole time.

Not only that, but I was enjoying myself and my work days! I was listening to myself and choosing to prioritize my needs! I chose mentors who trusted me to know what was best for my time, my body, my business and helped me do that!

Plus, the caliber of clients who I attracted shifted, too. 

These people were taking responsibility for their journey and really showing up for the work, while also trusting me to hold space for deep, uncomfortable things that needed to be healed or unlearned in order for them to make progress. 

My sales conversations went more smoothly, and I got more reach outs from people inspired by how I was showing up online and in local communities.

They could feel my leadership, my connection to the divine, and my strength in what I offer and how I show up for my people and myself. I didn’t have to prove anything or push anyone. They felt my trustworthiness and wanted a taste of the kind of fruits my tree provides.

I’m so glad I didn’t give up. 

What about your leadership journey?

…the hard truth is, most business strategies are not created with you & your neurodivergence in mind.

This means that even as you succeed in your business and craft, overwhelm and shame can sneak in as you try so hard to force yourself into society’s version of what business leadership “should” be.

Too many business & leadership teachings tell you that:

• sprinkling manipulation and/or coercion into your sales process is fine because its “for their own good” and that’s how sales is done
• forcing yourself to rigidly structure your time is necessary because otherwise you’ll just be lazy and ineffective
• making money is more important than your health, your sanity, or the needs of your clients or family
• there is one clear, obvious path to success, and if you’re not built that way you better do your best to become that or you’ll fail (and it will be all your fault)
• some other authority or expert always knows better than you what choices to make in your business, so you should always look outside of yourself for answers

Thankfully, you CAN enjoy a healing practice that is sustainable, profitable, impactful, and fulfilling.

You can lead yourself in a way that works with your neurodivergence, manages your time and energy well, prioritizes joy and pleasure, and honors your connection to the Universe.

You can lead your business in a way that has you feeling organized, clear on what to focus on, and confident in your ability to reach your goals.

You can lead your clients and potential clients in a way that cultivates the trust and safety needed for healing, and where they truly value you and your work.

And you can get to a place where you have a healthier relationship with and understanding of your power; where you’re not afraid to wield it because you know you’re not using it in an unethical way. 

You’re not trying to be anyone’s guru. 

You can come from your desire to lead your clients and community members to tap into their own unique power, not to give it away to you or anyone else.

And I wanna show you how.

I want to show you how to have a life and business that feed your soul, not suck it dry or leave you at the constant edge of burnout or overwhelm.

I want to show you how to manage your time, tasks, and energy in a sustainable way that hits your goals, fulfills your purpose, and honors your neurodivergence and mental and/or physical health challenges.

I want to show you how to lead yourself, your business, and your clients with integrity, and without the “old paradigm” ways of domination, force, or shame.

I want to show you everything.

From B.M., a private client:

I can’t say enough about how wonderful a mentor Starr has been in my business and my life. She herself has been through many “fires” and come out the other side with big lessons learned. Whether what’s up for me is related to sales, marketing, systems, technology, interpersonal communications, spiritual, or self-worth issues based on early trauma, Starr has always offered something of value to keep me moving toward my dreams.

But why should you trust me?

When I was young I was very shy, until a pivotal moment when I was 11 set me on my leader path (a story I’ll be sharing more about at the event). Since working with healers the past decade, I’ve noticed a lot of these sensitive, intuitive, unconventional humans don’t really see themselves as leaders, and have some old paradigm stories about what a leader really is. 

They avoid leadership (and power) because they don’t want to cause harm, be manipulative, or lead clients or followers to go against themselves as they have experienced being led by others.

When they come to me, I celebrate this and thank them for this! I applaud the parts of them that have rebelled against the corrupt leadership we’ve been taught is THE way to lead. I invite them to love up their inner rebel and acknowledge their strength in resisting the temptation to go with the status quo.

And then, I show them a different way. That’s when everything changes.

From L.C., a private client:

“Before working with Starr I had received plenty of healing, counseling and coaching, but wished each had more of the others. I found that in Starr. She helps me get a handle on the nuts and bolts on my plate AND the deeper truth of my soul. She can talk logistics AND guide and support me to revelations that give me clarity, insight and actionable steps I can take. Starr is one of the touchstones in my journey and cornerstones of all of the progress I have made. She is present and fearless when it comes to any of my life's challenges. In our regular sessions together I know I can bring up anything and she will dive in gently and powerfully. My life now is bearing the fruits of years of hard work and patience that she helped me keep my focus through, and now we're tackling the next phase of my personal and professional development! Exciting stuff. All I can say is GET. WITH. THIS. WOMAN.

A lot of people are drawn to me because they’ve been through a lot of pain and trauma, and have a deep calling to use their own healing journey to serve others.

As a survivor of childhood and domestic abuse, chronic mental and physical health issues, family estrangement, and navigating life with ADHD & cPTSD, I have a knack for creating safety and meeting people where they’re at.

One of the highest praise my clients often share with me is, “Thank you for seeing me.”

They share that they feel safe with me because they trust they can bare their darkest parts and won’t scare me away because I have been to the darkness and back many many times (and will continue to do so). They trust they can share their biggest visions and I will help them take one step after another to reach their dreams, without having to change who they are.

From S.H., an attendee at a live event:

Starr's calm, caring, loving nature created such a safe and magical space for me to share, vulnerably, and to receive guidance and divine wisdom that really helped me find a better sense of direction for this season I'm in. I'm so extremely grateful I said yes and followed that nudge to go. I highly, highly recommend anyone that had the opportunity to work with this amazing soul to do so!

Years ago I worked with a client who was ridiculously smart, but kept getting stuck when trying to make progress in his life and work. He had worked with a bunch of other coaches and taken programs on business and leadership, but few of them really worked with him and his unique personality, neurodivergence, and lifestyle. After teaching him my approach to leadership during our private work together, he saw huge shifts! Here’s what he has to say about my style of teaching:

Before working with Starr, I always had trouble sticking with things. I would start on one idea or work for one company, and then eventually I’d get burnt out. Every time I wanted things to change, it was like I had to push even harder against a heavier weight. Some days I would just be exhausted. And yet inside, I wanted my life to be bigger. But I wasn’t sure how.

While working with Starr, I learned the skills to create sustainable energy in my relationships and my work. I learned to connect deeper with my body and use it for authentic guidance.

As a result of Starr’s work, I have a much healthier, fuller life. I followed through on a number of life goals, including working remotely, creating a coaching business, and moving to Hawaii. And I feel I have the strength – borne of the skills I learned from Starr – to take on even bigger challenges. Life isn’t exhausting now. It’s exciting.

Something many of my neurodivergent clients share with me is that they often feel like the odd one out in a room full of people, and that when attending the events I lead they feel more seen and included! This is exactly what I’m going for.

From K.H. workshop attendee turned private client:

I first heard Starr speak in a workshop on Boundaries and decided to work with her and do her coaching program because I was so impressed by her delivery and inclusion of everybody in the audience.

From M.S., recent day retreat attendee:

She was very inclusive in her teaching style, setting up boundaries so that everyone would be respected and creating a safe environment for sharing and connection.  Though there was an agenda, we were able to adjust without feeling rushed or like anything was being missed in the process.  She connected with all of the attendees, making us feel seen.  I loved how she’d ask permission or if we were open to feedback to ensure if we were just looking to be heard or were looking for options or solutions.  She respected what level everyone was at with their gifts and what our intentions were for the event to help ensure our needs were addressed. It was a great event and environment, and I felt refreshed and at Peace during our time together.

It took me a full decade to finally feel solid in running my business.

But I don’t want it to take you that long! 

Right now, the world needs healers, teachers, and empathetic leaders to help us through these difficult transitions and create a better world.

So I’ve decided to provide you with a shortcut:

The Flow and Freedom Leadership Retreat

Join me for 2 days at the Jupiter Hotel in Portland, Oregon to finally understand what it really takes to lead a business that is sustainable, profitable, impactful, and fulfilling.

The Flow and Freedom Leadership Retreat is your magic ticket to discovering your authentic leadership style and radically revealing the person you thought you had to become, but have been all along. All so you can enjoy the success you’ve been called to create with your sacred work.

Here’s what we’re going to cover:

Day 1: 

• Authority without Supremacy
• The Power of All Your Parts
• Self-Leadership for Neurodivergents
• Ethical Business Leadership
• Visioning for Visionaries

Day 2:

• Soul-Aligned Selling
• Inspired Leadership for Clients & Followers
• Language Shifts for a New Paradigm
• Cultivating the Courage to Shine
• Your Unique Path to Paid

Both days be prepared for:

• Fun Themes & Surprising Approaches
• Music & Magic & Creativity, oh, my!
• 15 min breaks every 90 mins + 90 mins for lunch
• Interactive exercises with like-minded peers
• Permission to be yourself, trust yourself, and shine!

At the end of our two days together, you’ll be left with practical plans, fresh perspectives, and inspired new clarity, so you know how to lead yourself, your business, and your clients to success.

Plus, you’ll probably end up having some rad new friends! 

To get started, simply register now by clicking the "tickets" button.

Cost:

General Admission: $797

Early Bird Price + Bonus: Only $597

For the first ten people to register by 10/10 at the Early Bird rate, you’ll also get free access in November to the Flow & Grow Collective at the Wading In level! (bonus valued at $222)

Once registered, you’ll get an email confirmation that has some basic parking info, your discount code to get 10% off if you choose to book at the hotel, and a link to a brief pre-event survey to help the team with printing and planning.

As the event approaches you’ll get a more detailed email with everything you’ll need to make the most of the event.