Mindful Leadership: Charlotte Lilley on Helping Women Step Outside—And Into Their Power

What is the underlying mission of your work or business? How does your work make a difference in people’s lives?

We create space for women to try new things, to fall (literally and figuratively), and to realize how strong and capable they really are. Our retreats make a tangible difference by reminding women that they’re not alone and that fun, friendship, and growth don’t stop in adulthood. Through our curated experiences, we aim to build environments where women feel supported, adventurous, and genuinely seen. At its core, the mission is about giving women space to step outside of daily routines, discover new strengths, and feel supported in places that are often dominated by men. Women describe leaving our retreats with “a new sense of confidence on the slopes” and feeling “invigorated and more capable” than they imagined. 

Our retreats also bring connection and belonging. Guests often arrive worried they won’t fit in, but leave saying they felt “welcomed, valued, and supported” from the moment they arrived.

What sets your company apart in a crowded market? What do you believe is your unique contribution to your industry?

We focus on three elements that set The Retreat Co apart from your average trip:

1. Dynamic, fully curated trips that pack a lot of value into just a few days: Our retreats are designed to anchor around a certain adventure—like skiing or camping—while being layered with yoga, art classes, guest speakers, private chef dinners, and, yes, moments to recharge.
2. Purposeful activities in spaces where women often feel uncomfortable or underrepresented: Ski slopes, campgrounds, and even professional spaces are still too often male-dominated, and many women tell us they don’t have others to share those passions with. 
3. A deep focus on connection: The number-one reason women join us is they don’t have other women to do these things with. Most of our guests come solo, so we design everything so no one ever feels like the odd one out.

How have you navigated the growth of your business while staying true to your core values? What practices help you ensure that your growth is sustainable and aligned with your values?

The Retreat Co hasn’t grown overnight. I’m one person running the company, so it’s been a steady evolution over the past seven years. I’ve expanded thoughtfully by growing into a year-round business and adding new offerings and layering in community events. We’re also beginning to add co-hosts to our retreats. 

With all that we’re doing and with such limited resources, I’ve had to ask myself at every stage: Does this stay true to our core values of adventure, connection, and empowerment for women? For me, growth isn’t necessarily about scaling as quickly as possible; it’s about strengthening what we already offer, ensuring it’s a high-quality experience, and spreading the word so our community continues to grow intentionally. Even as we expand, I focus on sustainable growth by staying rooted in our values. 

Most importantly, we lead with community. The Retreat Co isn’t just about filling retreats; we are creating a circle of women who return again and again, finding confidence, friendship, and joy in experiences they might not have pursued without a community already ready for them to step into.

How do you balance the demands of entrepreneurship with your physical and emotional health? What specific tools or practices have you integrated into your daily routine to maintain mental well-being?

Honestly, it’s a constant struggle. Admittedly, there are days when I’m completely unmotivated and others when I get a lot done. I’ve noticed this is often a direct reflection of my emotional health. When I’m grounded and feeling good, for example, I can build momentum and check things off the list. When I’m drained or scattered, I tend to cherry-pick tasks that don’t move the needle as much.

My physical and emotional health are inseparable. If I neglect moving my body or eating well, it shows up in my mood, focus, and motivation. And when I’m feeling emotionally low or isolated, I’m less likely to take care of myself physically. Because of that, I approach both as part of the same system and try to care for them together.

Some of the practices I lean on are simple but essential: daily dog walks help me get out of my head when I need a reset; starting the day with a protein-packed breakfast gets things off on the right foot nutritionally; social activities help me feel like I’m part of the world and less isolated; and time-chunking with head-down days allow me to complete a lot of tasks done at once. None of it’s perfect, but each piece helps me recalibrate and keep moving forward.

How do you actively give back to your community or industry? How does this commitment to giving back reflect your values as a leader?

For me, leadership is about building community. In my local Lake Tahoe area, I volunteer my time to lead multiple events for women each month—from hikes and workshops to casual meetups—all designed to bring women together. Alongside that, I started a growing WhatsApp group that connects women outside of in-person gatherings. During ski season I host free community Shred Days so women can meet up, ride together, and feel less alone on the mountain. Looking ahead, I’m organizing season kick-off parties in different mountain towns to celebrate community and get women excited for winter.

Partnerships are another amazing give-give. By collaborating with women-led brands, local businesses, and female founders, I’m able to spotlight their work, bring more value to retreat guests, and strengthen the ecosystem of women supporting women. These partnerships also help me continue to grow The Retreat Co by expanding awareness, elevating the retreat experience, and connecting with new audiences.

On the industry side, my commitment is to help shift the balance in spaces where women have historically been underrepresented: in the outdoors and in the workplace.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your entrepreneurial journey so far?

To stay true to myself. It’s easy to second guess or try to be something I’m not in order to impress, but that never feels authentic. I’ve realized there will always be critics—and not everyone will understand or support what I’m building. What matters is knowing in my gut that I’m doing good work and staying aligned with what I believe is a positive force in this world.

“What matters is knowing in my gut that I’m doing good work and staying aligned with what I believe is a positive force in this world.”

What advice would you give to other women wanting to start or grow businesses in an intentional way?

Momentum matters more than perfection. Don’t wait until every detail is figured out or the timing feels flawless. Just start. Each imperfect step will give you more clarity and confidence than overthinking ever could. Consistently showing up will help you build trust that sustains growth over time. The caveat: this is not an easy feat!