We recently connected with Theresa POLLEY and have shared our conversation below.

Theresa, appreciate you joining us today. 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.

In 2003 I was struggling. My mom died, I was laid off from a job I loved and I lost a good friend for reasons I still don’t understand. I felt lost. I needed a safe space, a community where I could be myself without fear of being judged or having to act or dress a certain way.

I was inspired to create Retreat in the Pines after teaching at a fitness retreat in 2004. While I was disappointed at the “un-retreat” like weekend – a full schedule with non-existent free time, very little sleep, and highly restrictive meals (no coffee, no carbs, no fun!) – I was also inspired.

Walking my dog after I got home from what felt like a stressful and disappointing weekend, I allowed myself to dream. I wanted to create a “retreat like” experience, inviting guests to indulge in some of my (and hopefully their!) favorite things – wine, coffee, chocolate and delicious meals cooked from scratch – all as a complement to yoga, meditation, time in nature and time to reset. This was before there was a yoga retreat on every corner.

I didn’t “know” that this would work, but I felt that I couldn’t be the only woman who was struggling. It turned out I wasn’t alone. Over the years thousands of women came to Retreat in the Pines in search of encouragement, support and community.

Theresa, 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?

Since starting Retreat in the Pines in 2004, I’ve found joy in doing what I love. There have been challenging years along the way. I’m very stubborn which helped me keep going when times got tough. The connection and gratitude from women from all walks of life is so rewarding. I’ve heard, “Thank you for creating this place–I needed this” countless times over the years. I’m proud to say Retreat in the Pines was one of the first retreat centers in Texas and it is currently the only space dedicated exclusively to women.

Community building is my passion. When I started the journey of Retreat in the Pines, I was focused on the healing power of yoga. I’ve been teaching yoga since 2004. I currently teach classes in the Dallas area plus offer private lessons. While I still believe yoga is a powerful practice of transformation, I believe the true healing happens when women sit next to each other and discover they are not alone in their struggles. We come from different backgrounds and places, and seemingly have nothing in common – yet we have everything in common – we are navigating this crazy world as women. Community and connection are what makes our retreats a truly magical experience and sets us apart from other retreats.

For the sake of my sanity and my health, I prioritize fitness classes and community. I find both at my local Y. The Dallas YMCA has been a part of my life for over 30 years

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

In the early days of my business, I had limited funds. As a single mom, I singlehandedly ran the business by myself for years. Taking on the job of Yoga teacher, chef, housekeeper, marketer and more. While it was exhausting, I knew what I was doing was too important to stop. I forged ahead until I was able to hire a team. Now I have a full team to do all the tasks I did for so long by myself.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

The pandemic was financially and mentally challenging. Canceling retreats and refunding payments, I watched my bank account dwindle to almost nothing. I knew I wasn’t the only one struggling, so I came up with the idea for a Retreat at Home. I charged $10 for a weekend where we’d gather on Zoom to chat over a glass of wine and then I’d teach yoga and meditation. We’d finish up with a dance party on Sunday. Those days were tough, but luckily when things opened up, I was able to host small groups and business got better.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://retreatinthepines.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retreatinthepines/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetreatinthePines/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@retreatinthepines8164/videos
• Other: USA Today 1o Best
  https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/retreat-in-pines-mineola-texas/

Image Credits

Gray Kinney Photography + Bri Crow Photography