Business Incubator Retreat for Herbalists, Birthkeepers & Healing Arts Practitioners October 21-31, 2024
Bring your vision into fruition.
You are invited to join us where the jungle meets the sea to dive deep into nurturing your livelihood as an herbalist or birth keeper! On this 10 night retreat, we spend time in deep study, have spaciousness for visioning and reflection, spend time on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, and learn from local herbalists and plant people. This Business Incubator Retreat is an investment in your livelihood, and together in a small cohort of support, we will help lay the foundations for the future!
Our course focuses on relationships as the center of our work as herbalists and birthkeepers. Together we will do the work of visioning how to hold our work and be in service to our community with integrity and care.
Whether you are at the beginning of your journey wanting to lay a solid foundation on which to build your future and hold your work. Or, perhaps you are struggling to make a consistent living, you're exhausted from the constant hustle just to barely pay the bills.
Our Business Incubator Retreat is the other part of your education, the one that helps you transform your hard earned knowledge into. . .a manageable, sustainable, and solid livelihood!
We are here to give you the tools to thrive!
Join us in the abundant Talamanca region of Costa Rica for our Tropical Herbal Immersion. Join us in our tiny beach village exploring foundational business, tropical herbal medicine and local foodways, where the jungle meets the Caribbean Sea! You will stay at our rustic group traditional Caribbean Cabinas, just one block to the Caribbean! In addition to Molly Meehan Brown our lead instructor for this program, our amazing faculty include incredible local people born and raised in Talamanca Costa Rica including Indigenous as well as Afro Costa Rican faculty members, as well as people who have immigrated here from the US and Europe, our entire staff are inspiring plant people and share generously their love for plants and people.
*EARLYBIRD BONUS* Sign up by June 2 for our earlybird discount!
Participants in our Business Incubator Retreat ALSO get registration to our online Business Incubator Program including ongoing group coaching, brand new monthly trainings with industry experts, extensive training videos and so much more! Click here to learn more about this program. Access too this program will begin after our retreat. $1599 Value included for FREE!
Business & Sustainable Livelihood Incubator Retreat for Herbalists Birthkeepers, & Healing Arts Practitioners October 21-31, 2024 Wild Ginger Herbal Center in the Caribe Sur of Costa Rica
Program Itinerary:
Monday October 21 2:00 Meet outside Juan Santamaria San Jose Airport and depart for Wild Ginger Herbal Center Stop & Eat Dinner Along the Way Estimated 9:30 pm Arrival
Tuesday 8:30 Group Breakfast 9:30 Welcome & Opening, Town Tour & Orientation 12:00 Group Lunch & Beach Break 2:00 pm MODULE #1 Relationship & Service Centered Vision, Mission, Skillbuilding
Wednesday 8:00 Group Breakfast 9:00 Afro Costa Rican Plant Walk with Alda 12:00 Group Lunch and Beach Break 2:00 MODULE #2 Business Foundations - Getting All Set Up 5:00 Group Dinner
Thursday 7:30am Breakfast 8:00 MODULE #3 Establishing Your Presence - Let the World Know Who You Are! 12:00 Lunch 12:30 Field Trip Visit BriBri Indigenous Farm Family Run Ethnobotanical Plant Tour and Chocolate Making & Lunch 5:00 Group Dinner
Friday 8:00 Group Breakfast 9:00 MODULE #4 Structuring your Offers, Products and Services, Step by Step Sales 12:00 Group Lunch & Beach Break Independant Work 5:00 Group Dinner
Saturday 8:30 Group Breakfast 9:15 Leave for Local Farmers Market Free Day in Puerto Viejo Group Bus Back to Wild Ginger at 1 pm (optional, can stay and return later on own if preferred).
Sunday 8:00 Group Breakfast 9:00 MODULE #5 Building Community, Marketing, Building Your Network, Attracting Clients 12:00 Group Lunch Free Independent Work Afternoon 5:00 Traditional Coconut Oil Making Workshop and Group Dinner
Monday 8:00 am Group Breakfast 12:00 Group Lunch Individual Vision/Planning/Coaching Sessions with Molly through out the day for each participant. Free Evening
Tuesday 8:00 Group Breakfast 8:45 MODULE #6 The Structures that Hold You - Simple Tech & Automation + 12:30 Group Lunch Free Independant Work Afternoon and Free Evening
Wednesday 8:30 Group Breakfast 9:00 Group Presentations & Action Plans 12:00 Group Lunch 4:00 pm Group Traditional Afro Costa Rican Cooking Class and Despedida Party
Thursday October 31 4:00 AM Group Shuttle Leaves to San Jose Airport (estimated arrival at 9:30 am to airport - we cannot gaurantee road conditions or traffic so cannot be held responsible for missed flights. We recommend booking flights no earlier than 12:30pm that day, again the arrival time is not a guarentee due to circumstances out of our control)
The Business Incubator Retreat is developed especially for you, as an herbalist, plant person, birthkeeper, & healing arts practitioner. We are addressing your specific set of needs, we know because we've been there. There is no other program like this out there, we have included all the tools we wish we had from the beginning.
We are here to help you build the structures that will support and sustain you in creating the life you envision while being of service to your community.
There are no gimmicks, we are not selling a get-rich-quick lifestyle , but rather the foundation you need to generate an plentiful income, build a secure future, have more freedom over your time and life energy - all while moving with intention, integrity and care.
The Business Incubator Retreat is your A to Z guide on how to become an herbalist or birthkeeper. There are many ways to walk this path, and we will share resources, knowledge and networks we have developed over many years. From our favorite places to seek education, to business structures, community building and marketing, selling your herbal product or service. This is your road map. So many of us know that as small business owners we are often expected to wear many hats. This course is meant to bring clarity, ease and success.
This program is geared towards the small scale business, whether you are looking to get started or need solutions to help gain sustainability in a business you have already established. The vast majority of what we teach is do-it-yourself friendly, though we do provide resources for connections on some of the more technical topics.
The Business Incubator Retreat will bring clarity and demystify running a business, help you develop the structures that support you, and give you the tools to thrive!
Replace the worry and stress with actionable steps that get you to your goal.
I am on a mission to help my fellow herbalists and birthkeepers build sustainable livelihoods!
Hi Folks, I am Molly! While I was born and raised outside of DC, tagging along with my mother in the garden, in 2002 I more deeply began my herbal journey working on a medicinal plant farm & women's cooperative in rural Costa Rica. It didn't take me long to fall totally in love with this path. I found my heartsong and life path early on as an herbalist, plant lover, birthkeeper, and have gone on to become a mama, organizer and community weaver, and tender of plants.
Over the last decade I founded a thriving herbal center running in two different countries, launched beloved annual conferences, and organized abundant in-person and online educational programs. I've grown and gardened medicinal plants, created and sold herbal products at farmers markets, festivals and through an herbal CSA, supported clients through clinical herbal consultations including through pregnancy, and served my community as through various forms of birth work. Simultaneously we have offered low and no cost education programs as well as herbal shares to our community, in line with our deep commitment to community and solidarity. We have continued even through these unique and challenging global times. A huge part of that is because of the community we have cultivated and relationships we have tended.
I care most deeply about bringing people and plants together in relationship and helping to weave together a network in community. I want to be in service to YOU, my own community. I'll be up front: running a business is not what drew me to this work. However, a business is the structure that holds our work and sustains our livelihood. While I have spent my fair share of time in overwhelm and distress, experiencing huge learning curves and leapt out of my comfort zone over and over again. Having a Masters Degree in Sustainable Development and Non-Profit Management, I understand the importance of a strong foundations to help our dreams take root and thrive. Tending a business is like tending a relationship, and while not every endeavor has been a success - I'll share those lessons as well. In The Business of Herbalism Program I share both structure and strategies to make your path as an herbalist or birthkeeper sustainable and plentiful, while mantaining integrity.
It's your time to thrive, join the The Business Incubator Retreat for Herbalists & Birthkeepers today! Enrollment Now Open, 10 spots available Program October 21-31, 2024
Upon registration you will recieve a confirmation within one to two business days which will help you create your login for course portal. All payments are final, non refundable and non transferable. Who We Are, Core Values & Agreements: It is important to us that folks know what to expect when attending programs with Wild Ginger Herbal Center so expectations can be in line with our offerings. - Learn More about Wild Ginger Herbal Center and Who We Are Here - Please Read our Community Values and Agreements Here
Cost: $2222 General Registration $2000 Black, Indigenous and other people of color as well as ourTrans Community Members Includes Transportation To and From San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport to our Center, 9 nights stay at our rustic herbal center, all meals listed, and all classes included in the event. Price does not include your flight to and from Costa Rica. Accomodations are very rustic in a traditional historic wooden Caribbean house, it is not bug or air tight, and more like enclosed camping., there is wifi!
Payment Schedule: $622 Deposit $700 (General Reg) or $478 (BIPOC & Trans Reg) Due August 1, 2024 $900 cash payment onsite upon arrival at Wild Ginger Center (in clean, unripped $20 - no larger bills can be accepted) All Payments are final, non refundable and non-transferable Important Info: 10 spots available - these spots are filling quickly! *To register please download our Travel WAIVER Form, sign and return as attachment via email to WildGingerHerbalCenter@gmail.com (Shared rooms may have 3 or 4 people in them, you may choose your roommates or if you sign up as a single we will assign your roommate/s)
If you would like a private room please reach out to use directly, this will be an additional $650 charge.
What's included In Your Trip: The price includes your rustic accomodations in Costa Rica, each of the classes and tours (and transportation to and from said tours) outlined on the itinerary. PRICE DOES NOT include flight to and from Costa Rica.
Please read the Disclaimer: *COVID-19 Disclaimer - *If participants contract or test positive for COVID-19 during the trip they will be required to quarantine separately from the group. Medical costs, care, as well as the the cost of separate accommodations in nearby hotel and or separate transportation to and from airport is not covered by Twin Star Herbal Education or Wild Ginger Herbal Center, and will be the responsibility of participant. We can provide a list of local accommodations as well as trusted private transportation if needed.
Please read the Disclaimer: **All participants must be 18 years of age or older unless with a legal guardian.
** Please note, by registering for this tour you acknowledge Wild Ginger Herbal Center acts only as agents for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Wild Ginger Herbal Center and their respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours / trips arranged by Wild Ginger Herbal Center. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects as well as their personal health insurance policy. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for providing your health insurance or healthcare while on the trip, are not responsible for any flight cancellations or changes to your personal travel itinerary not provided by the trip. The itinerary and schedule are available on www.centroashe.org and the exact activities may change slightly based on weather while on the trip. Occasionally weather can become an issue and we reserve the right to not participate in a certain activity if it is deemed unsafe due to weather (boat ride etc) but we will replace that activity with another of equal value.
Accomodations: Staying onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center our rustic wooden cabina located in the Caribbean of Costa Rica. We live very very simple and rustic, our house has electricity, and is equipped with WIFI internet that will be slower than you are used to if you are from the US. We do not use chemicals to spray our home, thus in the tropics we have little geckos that will be indoors, they're your friends they eat mosquitos! Sometimes there are ants, etc, be prepared to be in community with nature! We provide communal rooms with single beds for our apprentices and guests, fans in each room, and bathroom. Great place for relaxing, Our classroom is right onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and our humble site is home to medicinal and edible plants. You're are one block to the beach and we make sure you have lots of relax and self care time while you are here. We do not provide laundry services on site, however you can pay to do laundry at a couple locations around town during your stay here. Additionally we utilize comparable rooms at a neighboring cabina in order to accomodate our groups beyond our capacity on site at Wild Ginger Herbal Center.
Expectations & Respect: We expect those that apply for this program to have an true interest and excitement for plant medicine. We ask that everyone show up on time to all classes and activities in order to honor each other as well as our teachers and facilitators. When coming to Wild Ginger Herbal Center openness and respect are central. All people are welcome and we celebrate life in all our beautiful manifestations and forms. We expect people of diverse paths to come here with respect for each other, we have an expectation of non-violent communication when faced with challenges that can arise when living together during intensive communal experiences in new environments. All people of varying class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, sex, sexual orientation and religious, non-religious, or spiritual beliefs are welcome at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and we seek to build a community space for all.
Foods: Our focus is on eating an abundant healthy and whole foods based diet rich in local fruits, veggies, rice, beans, and plantains are central to our diet, and sometimes we get local cheese, meats, yogurt, fish, eggs. While we encourage everyone to participate and share in meals together, if you have food needs outside of our offerings above you may need to supplement your meals from local stores or restaurants.
Money: Make sure to bring enough US Dollars to last you at least the first few days of the trip including stopping for a snack on your way down to us. Do not bring bills larger than $20, and make sure they are not ripped or in poor condition or folks will not accept them. Our town has no ATM, and the closes one is about 12 kilometers away. Everyone accepts US Dollars here, but again in the same town as the ATM there is a money exchange you can exchange your dollars for colones. You should expect at 500 colones to $1 exchange when using USDollars in our area. While we provide your food for all indicated meals during your time with us, and we provide drinking water during our programs, you are responsible for any extras you might need, including snacks etc etc. If you want to buy souveniers/personal care items etc you are responsible for those as well. Our town does have a few small shops "pulperias", two of which accept credit cards.
Call Your Bank! *MAKE SURE TO CALL YOUR BANKS AND LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL BE IN COSTA RICA* - This will ensure your card does not get shut off for suspicious activity.
What to Bring: An open mind, heart, and soul! A true openess and interest in plants and folk medicine, in learning the traditional medicine of the people of Talamanca, Costa Rica. Remember our cabinas at Wild Ginger Herbal Center are rustic and very simple, we try to live as simply and in tune with nature as possible. We do not have air conditioning and we live simply in a way very much like our local community members. Coming on this trip and life in the Caribbean here is an opportunity to go with the flow and enjoy a slower and more simple lifestyle - that is part of the medicine of your time here. Most people when they talk about the rainy season it actually refers to the pacific side, which has a very distinct rainy season, 6 months dry, 6 months wet. We will be on the Caribbean side, and while yes it rains, it is more evenly balanced through out the year. That doesn't mean it won't rain, because it certainly can and probably will. As far as clothes, bring light weight stuff that dries easily, it is HUMID! Bring a good pair of shoes to hike with that you dont mind getting muddy, and flip flops, and whatever else you'd like to have with you. Cotton tshirts and shorts are great, a rain jacket, bathing suit, towel for the beach (please do not bring hotel towels to the beach), are all great. Yoga mat if you'd like. BUG SPRAY is important to your comfort here, thankfully we do not have Zika virus etc in our area, however here in the Caribbean we do indeed have mosquitos. So bring repellent that works well for you! Bring natural bug spray if you're into that because you can't get that down there or whatever type of repellent that is actually effective for you, any personal care items you need we recommend you bring with you. Bring any regular medications/supplements you use. Bring SUNSCREEN! A hat. Sunglasses. As far as a laptop - there is internet in town so you're welcome to bring it, just depends how connected you'd like to be! It's another thing to travel with and to be conscious of while you're on buses etc. But it can be convenient, so that is totally your decision. Outlets there are the same as the US, no converter is needed. Also please remember pens and note pads for note taking. Come prepared with clothing appropriate for tropical heat and tropical rain. Sandals, Sun protection, waterbottle, hats, etc. Bathing suit, towels and sarongs. We provide bath towels but you have to bring your own towel for the beach. A first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight, any prescriptions you need. Boots suitable for getting muddy walking in the jungle or on farms, rain jacket with hood. While many people take this opportunity to "unplug" you may feel like bringing a wifi accesible device to use while onsite. These are your responsibility and while traveling we always recommend traveling without valuable goods, but take good care of what you do decide to bring. Long and short pants, long and short sleeves. Personal care products. We do not have laundry onsite but there are places in the area you may pay to get your clothes washed and cleaned. We cannot stress enough how bringing what you need to protect you from bugs will make your stay more comfortable, the struggle is real with mosquitos, sometimes sand fleas and more. These vary depending on the time of year, but we encourage you to bring protection with you!