Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Struttmann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At Osage Hills Retreat, we take pride in our unique approach that prioritizes our guests’ individual experiences and needs. We focus on creating a nurturing environment where guests can fully immerse themselves in their crafting passions and connect with others on a deeper level.

Our philosophy is simple: every guest who walks through our doors is treated as a valued member of our creative circle. Rather than promoting ourselves as the central figure, we recognize the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and support for everyone who visits us.

One standout illustration of our commitment to fostering connections is the creation of our Individual Retreaters Retreats. Designed for individuals seeking a creative community but lacking their creative circle, these retreats have proven transformative. Initially strangers, nine crafters attend our retreat, only to depart as friends.

By centering our focus on the individual experiences and needs of our guests, we create a welcoming space where everyone feels empowered to explore their passions and connect with others. This commitment to personalized hospitality sets us apart from the standard retreat experience and has earned us a reputation as a premier destination for crafters seeking a truly enriching getaway.

Melissa, 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?

Hello! I’m Melissa Struttmann, and my husband Steve and I own Osage Hills Retreat, a destination Craft Retreat Center in historic Osage County, Oklahoma.

Our combined ten children are grown, and we are facing retirement. We’ve casually talked about downsizing, but not anytime soon.

In late May 2021, Steve found the perfect property to create an amazing retreat center, big enough that we could comfortably share the property. This unique situation allows us to be on-site hosts yet enables our guests to be on their own.

We purchased the property in Spring 2022. Timing is everything. Steve needed that near-year to wrap his head around going into additional debt at retirement, not downsizing. I needed that time to educate myself and prepare for a new career. It’s safe to say most people opening a Retreat Center will tell you it’s been their passion or their dream, as it has been mine. But just as a brain surgeon needs specific education to fulfill that passion, I knew I needed specific education to fulfill my passion as well. In 2022, I successfully completed the requirements of the Retreat Business Academy Course. This course provides the tools and information every Retreat Owner needs to know to run a successful retreat center that will bring guests back time after time.

We look forward to celebrating our two-year anniversary in June 2024. Our goal was to have 20 groups in our first year. We had 38 groups in 2023, and we have 51 scheduled for 2024.

Osage Hills Retreat is the perfect place to create, craft, and connect with friends. We offer easy scheduling and a single-level space for your creative circle to create a stress-free getaway. We want our guests to experience a craft retreat weekend that feels like a luxury weekend getaway.

We make our guests the priority. As a scrapbooker and quilter myself, I understand the value of space to gather my gals on a regular basis. I know it’s not always easy to make time for our creative souls. Life gets busy. Things happen. Sometimes, you must step away from the day-to-day and make yourself the priority.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I mentioned it earlier, and it’s worth repeating. Completing the requirements of the Retreat Business Academy Course was a game changer. You don’t know what you don’t know. Just because I am passionate about my craft (quilting and scrapbooking) and because I love going to retreats does not make me a good business owner. There are so many facets to owning and operating a successful business and this program helped me anticipate the unknown.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We use social media and personal connections to keep in touch with our clients. We mention our clients frequently in posts. Our clients have become our friends and repeat customers. Nearly everyone books one, two, three, or more retreats a year. We are honored our clients continue to tell us Osage Hills Retreat is their favorite retreat center.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.osagehillsretreat.com
• Instagram: @osagehillsretreat
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/osagehillsretreat
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/osage-hills-retreat-skiatook

Image Credits
Pollard Media