We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Corey Spiegel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Corey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for Light House was born from a question I found myself asking repeatedly throughout my professional career.

For years, I reported to boards of directors, advisory councils, executive teams, and mentors. Whenever I faced a challenge in business, there was always a trusted group of people I could turn to for perspective, guidance, accountability, and honest feedback. Yet as I navigated my personal life, I often wondered: Why doesn’t something like this exist outside of work?

As life became increasingly complex, I found myself craving a different kind of support system. Not necessarily my closest friends or family members who loved me deeply and knew every detail of my life, but rather a trusted circle of thoughtful, accomplished women who didn’t know me at all. Women who could listen objectively, ask meaningful questions, challenge my thinking, and offer honest counsel without fear of hurting my feelings or protecting my ego.

I began to realize that many women were carrying enormous responsibilities while quietly navigating some of life’s most significant transitions—raising children, caring for aging parents, navigating divorce, grief, loss, career changes, health challenges, evolving friendships, empty nesting, and the ongoing journey of rediscovering themselves. Yet despite being more connected than ever digitally, many felt profoundly alone.

Around that same time, my mother and I were on a walk discussing this concept and searching for a name that captured what I hoped to create. We wanted something meaningful, recognizable, and symbolic.

That’s when we landed on the name Light House.

A lighthouse represents guidance, safety, hope, and direction. It is a steady, unwavering beacon that pierces through darkness, uncertainty, and storms, helping people find their way when they cannot clearly see the path ahead. The symbolism felt perfect because life inevitably presents all of us with moments when we feel lost, overwhelmed, uncertain, or afraid.

What excited me most was the opportunity to create a space that focused on the realities of life rather than the performance of life.

So much of what we see today—particularly on social media—is a polished highlight reel. People often share the accomplishments, celebrations, and victories while quietly carrying the struggles, fears, disappointments, and vulnerabilities behind the scenes. Light House was created to provide a different kind of conversation—one rooted in honesty, authenticity, courage, and connection.

The logic behind the business was surprisingly simple: every time I sat in a room with women who were willing to be real, something powerful happened. The walls came down. People felt seen. They felt understood. They discovered they weren’t the only ones experiencing uncertainty, heartbreak, reinvention, or fear. More importantly, they gained practical wisdom from others who were navigating similar challenges.

I always left those conversations feeling lighter, more hopeful, and more empowered than when I arrived.

That was the problem I believed needed solving. Not a lack of information. Not a lack of resources. A lack of meaningful human connection and honest conversation.

While there are countless organizations focused on networking, professional development, wellness, or social gatherings, very few are intentionally designed to create a trusted environment where women can openly discuss life’s most important transitions and receive thoughtful guidance from others walking similar paths.

Light House was built on a simple belief: you are not meant to do life alone.

We all need places where we can show up exactly as we are—not as who we think we’re supposed to be. Places where vulnerability is met with understanding, where wisdom is shared generously, and where life’s challenges are navigated together rather than in isolation.

At Light House, women find more than community. They find perspective, encouragement, accountability, and hope.

And perhaps most importantly, they discover that whatever they are facing, they do not have to face it alone.

Corey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My professional journey began in New York City, where I worked in advertising for several Fortune 500 agencies. Those early years provided a rigorous foundation in brand strategy, marketing, consumer behavior, and the art of creating meaningful connections between companies and the audiences they serve.

After relocating to Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to work for iconic organizations including Playboy and Warner Bros., where I was immersed in the worlds of print, digital media, integrated marketing, partnerships, and brand development. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of collaborating with some of the world’s most recognized brands across beauty, wellness, automotive, electronics, entertainment, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. Those relationships, built over decades, continue to be an invaluable asset and have become a meaningful part of the work we do today.

What I learned throughout my corporate career was that great brands are built through connection. People don’t simply buy products or services—they invest in experiences, stories, and feelings. That realization ultimately became the foundation for Light House.

Today, through Light House, we specialize in creating highly curated wellbeing experiences, retreats, workshops, and community gatherings designed to foster meaningful human connection. We partner with luxury resorts, hospitality brands, organizations, and communities to develop bespoke programming that supports emotional wellbeing, personal growth, and authentic conversation.

One of the areas where we provide unique value is our ability to thoughtfully integrate strategic sponsorships and brand partnerships into programming. Because of my background and long-standing relationships across multiple industries, we are able to connect clients with best-in-class brands that enhance the guest experience while creating meaningful opportunities for visibility, engagement, and amplification.

What truly sets Light House apart, however, is not our network. It’s our philosophy.

We don’t believe in cookie-cutter wellness programming.

Every property, every audience, and every community is different. Our approach is deeply collaborative. We work closely with our partners to create experiences that feel authentic to their brand, aligned with their guests, and reflective of the unique environment in which they operate. Whether we’re designing a luxury retreat, an intimate workshop series, or a large-scale wellbeing event, our goal is always the same: to create programming that feels intentional, memorable, and transformative.

We take wellbeing seriously, but not in the way many people think.

Today’s consumers have unprecedented access to information about fitness, nutrition, longevity, supplements, recovery modalities, and health optimization. While those tools are important, we believe true wellbeing extends far beyond physical health. It includes emotional wellbeing, connection, belonging, purpose, resilience, and the ability to navigate life’s inevitable transitions with support and confidence.

That is the gap Light House was created to fill.

Our sessions and experiences are designed not only to educate and inspire but also to help people feel seen, heard, understood, and less alone. We create spaces where honest conversations can happen—where people can discuss the realities of life, not just the highlight reel.

What I am most proud of is the impact these experiences have on the people who attend them. Time and again, guests tell us that the most meaningful part of the experience wasn’t a particular workshop, speaker, or activity. It was the realization that others were navigating similar challenges, asking similar questions, and searching for similar answers.

In a world that often encourages perfection, performance, and constant productivity, Light House offers something different: permission to be human.

If there is one thing I would want potential clients, partners, and guests to know, it is this: Light House is about meeting people exactly where they are—not where they think they should be.

We believe connection is one of the most powerful forms of wellbeing. We believe vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. And we believe that when people come together with openness, honesty, and curiosity, extraordinary things can happen.

At its core, Light House exists to help people navigate life with greater clarity, confidence, connection, and hope. That mission is what drives every partnership we form, every experience we create, and every conversation we facilitate.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

If there is one thing I’ve learned about growing a business, it’s that there is rarely a single strategy you can point to and say, “That’s the reason.” For Light House, our growth has been the result of a consistent, multi-faceted effort over many years, with each component building upon the others.

One of the most valuable contributors to our growth has been media and press exposure. We have been fortunate to receive meaningful coverage from a variety of outlets, which has helped expand awareness of our mission and introduce Light House to audiences we may not have otherwise reached. Earned media brings a level of credibility that is incredibly powerful, particularly in the wellness and hospitality space.

That said, if I had to identify the most impactful driver of growth, it would likely be word-of-mouth referrals. There is simply no better endorsement than someone attending one of our events, having a meaningful experience, and sharing that experience with others. Trust is everything in the wellbeing space, and personal recommendations carry tremendous weight. Many of our most valuable relationships and opportunities have come from one person telling another, “You need to experience this.”

We have also been very intentional about nurturing our community over time. Our database continues to grow, and we communicate with our audience regularly—not only when we have something to sell or promote, but as a way of providing ongoing value. Whether it’s a daily reminder, a thoughtful reflection, or an encouraging message, we strive to stay connected to our community in meaningful ways. These consistent touchpoints help build trust, deepen relationships, and keep Light House top of mind.

Social media certainly plays an important role as well, and we maintain an active presence across multiple platforms. I absolutely recognize its value and reach. However, I’ve never believed that social media alone should be the cornerstone of our growth strategy. Much of our core audience isn’t spending every waking moment scrolling through feeds. Instead, they are living full lives, raising families, managing careers, caring for loved ones, and navigating life’s many transitions. Because of that, we’ve focused on meeting people through multiple channels rather than relying exclusively on one.

Another important contributor has been our visibility within the industries we serve. We make a point to participate in key industry events, conferences, and gatherings where meaningful relationships can be formed. In addition, our partnerships with luxury resorts and hospitality brands have been instrumental in introducing Light House to new audiences who are already seeking elevated experiences centered around wellbeing, personal growth, and connection.

Ultimately, our growth has been built on relationships. Relationships with our guests, our partners, our sponsors, our resort collaborators, the media, and our broader community. While marketing tactics and platforms will continue to evolve, I believe genuine connection, exceptional experiences, and delivering meaningful value will always be the most effective strategy for sustainable growth.

That’s the approach we’ve taken from the beginning, and it’s one we remain deeply committed to today.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the greatest tests of resilience in my entrepreneurial journey came almost immediately after launching Light House.

When I founded the company in 2019, I was incredibly intentional about the experience I wanted to create. At its core, Light House was built around human connection, and I firmly believed that connection was strongest when people were physically together. My vision was centered on in-person gatherings, workshops, and conversations where women could sit across from one another, make eye contact, actively listen, share openly, and build meaningful relationships in real time.

I was convinced that being face-to-face was essential to creating the depth, trust, and vulnerability that Light House was designed to foster.

Then COVID hit.

Practically overnight, the very foundation of my business model disappeared. Gatherings were canceled. People were isolated in their homes. Travel stopped. In-person events became impossible. Like many business owners, I found myself facing a reality I never anticipated and had absolutely no control over.

If I’m being honest, I thought the business might be over before it had truly begun.

I resisted the idea of moving online because it felt contrary to everything I had envisioned. I worried that virtual experiences would feel impersonal, disconnected, and transactional. I questioned whether meaningful conversations could happen through a screen. Most of all, I worried that the heart of what made Light House special would be lost.

But resilience often requires letting go of what you thought the path was supposed to look like.

Rather than shutting down, I decided to adapt. We transitioned our programming online and began offering virtual workshops, classes, and gatherings. It wasn’t the model I had planned, but it was the opportunity in front of me.

What happened next surprised me in ways I never could have predicted.

Instead of shrinking our reach, virtual programming expanded it. Women who previously couldn’t attend due to geography, travel commitments, family responsibilities, work schedules, or personal circumstances suddenly had access. Participants began joining us from different states, different countries, and different time zones. What started as a temporary solution became an entirely new avenue for connection.

Even more surprising was how willing people were to engage from the privacy of their own homes. For many participants, being in a familiar and comfortable environment actually made it easier to open up, share vulnerably, and participate in conversations they may have otherwise avoided.

What I initially viewed as a threat became one of the most important growth opportunities in our company’s history.

The experience taught me a lesson I carry with me today: resilience isn’t about stubbornly holding on to a plan. It’s about staying committed to the mission while remaining flexible about the path.

The mission of Light House was never about a physical room. It was about helping people feel connected, seen, heard, and understood. Once I realized that, I understood that the format could evolve while the purpose remained the same.

Looking back, what felt like one of the greatest obstacles I would ever face became one of the greatest catalysts for growth. It expanded our reach internationally, strengthened our business model, and reminded me that some of life’s most valuable opportunities arrive disguised as setbacks.

That experience reinforced something I deeply believe today: sometimes resilience is not about fighting change. It’s about having the courage to embrace it and trusting that there may be possibilities on the other side that you cannot yet see.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.findyourlighthouse.com
• Instagram: @findyour_lighthouse
• Facebook: /findyourlighthousedotcom
• Linkedin: /coreyspiegel