We were lucky to catch up with Jacqueline Lin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jacqueline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

My legacy is centered around creating meaningful and unforgettable experiences. Whether I’m organizing a retreat for a studio and its members or hosting guests at one of my own retreats, I aim to leave a lasting impression. I pride myself on being hands-on and personable, fostering strong relationships, and making everyone feel like part of a close-knit community. I hope that through these connections, I inspire positive change and personal growth. My ultimate goal is to offer individuals an opportunity to step away from their daily routines, providing a sanctuary where they can disconnect, relax, and recharge. Through wellness-focused retreats that include adventures, cultural exploration, and the discovery of new cuisines, I aspire to create spaces where guests can rejuvenate both physically and mentally.

Jacqueline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began my career in the corporate world, but my passion for event planning led me to pursue it on the side. At 25, I landed my first job as an event planner, organizing a variety of events including networking functions, charity fundraisers, after-parties, fashion shows, and concerts. By 30, I transitioned into organizing corporate trips and sales incentive travel, a field I quickly grew to love due to my deep passion for travel.

In January 2020, right before the pandemic, I had the opportunity to organize my first wellness retreat. This experience combined everything I love—traveling, fitness, wellness, cultural exploration, adventure, and meeting incredible people. It was then that I realized retreat organizing was my true calling.

During the pandemic, as people faced challenges in mental and physical wellness, I knew I wanted to make a positive impact. In 2022, I launched Level Up Events Management, focusing on organizing wellness retreats. My company specializes in fitness and adventure, yoga and meditation, transformational experiences, and women-only retreats. We collaborate with top-tier coaches and facilitators who we personally trust and know to be experts in their fields.

What sets us apart is our commitment to creating deeply impactful, tailored itineraries that provide guests with unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s a retreat that blends group workouts paired with fun excursions and cultural exploration or one focused on self-discovery through yoga, breathwork, and somatic release, we offer something for every guest. Our group sizes are intentionally small—between 8 and 15 people—to foster a more intimate, family-like atmosphere.

Looking ahead, we aim to expand to new destinations each year, ensuring that returning guests always have fresh adventures to look forward to.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, my side hustle ultimately turned into my full-time business, and the journey to where I am today has been shaped by a combination of passion, persistence, and key opportunities. Even when I was working full-time in a completely different industry, I never gave up on my love for event planning. I always seized any chance to work on events, whether big or small.

A pivotal moment came when a friend who ran an events marketing agency in North America asked me to help launch a branch in Asia. Despite knowing the risks of leaving a stable career, I took a leap of faith, following my passion. This opportunity introduced me to the wellness industry and the world of retreats, and I instantly knew this was my true calling.

When COVID hit, the plans to open the Asia branch were put on hold, and we ultimately parted ways. At that point, I found a role at a retreat center, which gave me valuable experience while I began building my own business as a retreat organizer.

To kick-start my business, I reached out to personal connections in the wellness industry—fitness coaches, studio owners, and facilitators—and offered to organize retreats for them on a profit-sharing basis (50/50). I saw this as an investment in building my portfolio rather than charging an agency fee. These early retreats helped me build credibility and experience, and from there, it was all about networking and word of mouth.

Those early steps helped me scale my business, and the continued support of my network has been key to my growth. Today, I am proud to be running Level Up Events Management full-time, and I’m excited for the future as I continue to expand my reach and create transformative experiences for my clients.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

To stay connected with my clients and foster brand loyalty, I make sure to create group chats for every retreat. These chats allow guests to stay in touch, share their experiences, and continue building the sense of community we foster during the retreat. Additionally, I capture the highlights of each retreat through Instagram reels and posts, so guests can revisit those special moments and reminisce about the experiences we shared. I also stay engaged by reaching out to past clients whenever we have new retreats or experiences that might interest them, ensuring they feel valued and excited about upcoming opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lvl_up_eventsmgmt/