She’s a motivated entrepreneur and successful CEO busy launching brands, managing a team of employees and trying to stay afoot of industry trends. Yet she’s also a girlfriend and a friend. Constantly attempting to balance a gratifying social life and lofty career goals while maintaining a healthy lifestyle led Rayna Wallen to her latest venture.
This September, Wallen will introduce She Takes Flight (STF), a company that offers leadership, empowerment and wellness retreats for women looking for a break from their fastpaced, overwhelming schedules. Unlike many women’s conferences, She Takes Flight accepts everyone, from the high-powered executive of a Fortune 500 company to the in-home, small-business owner with only one employee: herself. This year’s inaugural conference runs Sept. 23-27 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
Wallen, a Lexingtonian, says She Takes Flight evolved out her own drive to succeed and need to recharge. She launched her first business in 2008 with Always Planned LLC, a full-service wedding consulting service that she operated out of her home. Since then, she has maintained a full schedule, launching six additional brands, winning the SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and becoming creative director of Maystorm Studio. Today, she credits her beginnings in event planning for destination weddings and luxury travel with providing the necessary experience to create STF.
Despite the heavy workload, “something was missing,” Wallen notes. “Through the years I found myself wanting to do more and just needing to feel fulfilled.”
The idea for She Takes Flight took wing when Wallen was drafting her yearly list of personal goals. Starting a women’s conference seemed like a pipe dream until one of her close friends convinced her to follow through with the idea earlier this year. The company finally came to life once Wallen realized she desperately needed a reprieve.
“I myself needed what She Takes Flight is all about,” says Wallen.
Centered around the motto “Relax, Regroup, Recharge,” the retreat includes many group and optional activities, including beachside yoga, cocktail hour, world-class dining, a black-tie gala, group painting sessions, a ladies’ night out and a catamaran cruise and island tour. Additionally, the cost will cover luxury accommodations for five days and four 4 nights, resort amenities (such as 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi, and unlimited calls to the U.S.), a $750 resort credit, a sponsor gift, an official STF swag bag, and a donation in your name to STF and She’s The First, an initiative to sponsor girls’ education in low-income countries.
The retreat’s high-end activities and luxury amenities come with a suitably large price tag, ranging from $3,650 on up to $7,000 for VIP tickets — airfare not included.
Among the program’s draws is the so-called “flight attendant,” TV personality Star Jones. Jones, perhaps best known as a former co-host of “The View,” is signed on as co-host and keynote speaker. The retreat also will feature a bevy of other speakers and presenters: Leslie Blodgett, creator of bareMinerals; life coach Colene Elridge; Elianne Ramos, CEO of Speak Hispanic; health coach and chef Kate Horning; and Lauren Craig, a lifestyle blogger. The speakers will interact with participants in group workshops, and those who purchase the VIP package will partake in one-on-one sessions.
Eldridge said her approach to motivating people fits neatly with STF.
“Celebrating little successes daily along with regularly practicing self-care are the best ways to recharge,” Elridge says. “I work with mostly women. They really range in age from 17 to 60. They all want success in their lives, but need a bit of guidance on the ‘how.’ My clients come ready to do the work but have fun reaching their goals. I’m often the accountability piece they are missing in their lives.”
Wallen also is looking beyond the September conference. She already has slated a two-day U.S. summit for early spring of 2016, with international retreats in the works as well. Despite the ambition and scale of her plans, Wallen says her goal is to “keep it intimate.”
Though STF is a conference designed by women and for women, its vision of empowerment affects everyone, Wallen believes.
“You are touched by a woman somehow,” says Wallen. “If you are a man, you’re condoning yourself by not empowering in the woman in your life.”
Registration for the September conference is open, and additional details can be found at shetakesflight.org.