A Midwest weekend retreat for creative entrepreneurs to gain clarity and connection.

Spend a weekend in nature simplifying, exploring, and clarifying your brand vision with like-minded people. Bring your brand to life by attracting your ideal client with evergreen marketing content. 

Evergreen is a retreat weekend for creatives in the North Woods of Wisconsin. Take in the fall colors as Wisconsin transitions from summer to fall and you transition into a different season of business. As the trees shed old leaves to make way for new, we too aim to shed our insecurities about business and will leave feeling ready to grow. Make new connections with like-minded individuals, explore and define or re-define your ‘why’, take in the relaxing beauty of the north woods and arrive on day 1 knowing you’re in good hands.

Due to COVID, we are asking that all attendees are from the midwest and arrive at the Northwoods via car (as opposed to flying across the country). We want to keep everyone as safe and virus-risk-free as possible! 

Leave with marketing content to use on your website, social media outlets, and 

• Your “why” statement with help from Wander Design Co
• Headshots/lifestyle photos by Mo Speer Photography
• A curated adventure pack by A Well Worn Story
• A filter and formula for creating evergreen content for your brand
• Friendships and industry connections to encourage your journey
• A clear mind and confidence in your brand vision 
• Good memories and inspiration to last a lifetime

Is Evergreen for you?  

secluded cabin > chain hotel

main street > box stores

beers around a campfire > fancy cocktail lounge

hiking boots > high heels

people > profit

Things that bring joy: 

• Dirt under your fingernails
• A good playlist
• Long drives on a winding road
• Vintage denim + cozy crewneck sweatshirts
• Storytime around a campfire

We believe:

• There is always time to stop for coffee
• In staying in the car until the end of the song
• Building a business should be fun
• Time is our most valuable resource
• Nothing beats a slow weekend at the lake

What is a WHY Statement?

We believe that each person has a purpose in life, and knowing your WHY statement will help you find it. In this weekend session, we will partner up and uncover stories from your past that have impacted you and find the common threads. We'll be able to come up with a statement that is an overarching theme in your life and the filters to help you choose the right path in business and life.

Mariah has led dozens of women to find their WHY statement with her why as her driver: To build others up so they can confidently share their talents with the world. 

If we want to feel an undying passion for our work and that we are contributing to something bigger than ourselves, we need to know our WHY. Happiness comes from WHAT we do, fulfillment comes from WHY we do it- Simon Sinek

Your Leaders

We are Mariah, Madison, and Morgann, but you can call us Mo. Seriously, all of our nicknames are Mo. You could say our friendship was meant to be. We are business owners, adventurers, and Midwest living gals. Collectively, we have over 15 years of experience in starting, running, and growing our own creative businesses. Over the years, we have learned how to bring a brand to life by clarifying our messaging and attracting our ideal clients. Perhaps more importantly, we understand the ups and downs, the peaks and valleys, the twist and turns of running a business. Disconnecting in nature, defining our why, and connecting with other entrepreneurs who encourage our dreams have been the key ingredients in growing and sustaining our brands. Now, we want to share it with others. If you love exploring the outdoors, discovering good coffee shops, and wearing many hats (literally and figuratively) - we should be friends.

Morgann McCoy

Morgann is a slow fashion designer, seamstress, and adventurer living on a Wisconsin farm. She creates handcrafted bags and aprons inspired by everyday exploring under the lifestyle brand A Well Worn Story. 

Learn more: www.wellwornstory.com
@awellwornstory

Mo Speer

Knowing she’d never be able to sit still long enough for a regular 9-5 career, Mo immediately jumped into photography after graduating college. As a result of a degree in journalism, her approach to photography has bloomed from a desire to tell stories. From capturing couples in love to small business with handcrafted goods— there’s something uniquely beautiful about each story. 

Learn more: mospeerphoto.com
@mospeerphotography

Mariah Danielsen

After 5 years in corporate graphic, web design and marketing, Mariah quit her job to build her own legacy. Over the past 8 years, she has helped small businesses all over the country build their brands through beautiful branding + compelling websites and finding their WHY through her boutique design company, Wander Design Co. She proudly calls Iowa her home.

Learn more: wanderdesignco.com
@wanderdesignco

The Tentative Schedule: 

Friday: 

11pm - 1pm: Arrive! Exploring the house and bonding over charcuterie

Afternoon: Cocktail Boat Ride touring the lakes, end at our favorite supper club in the area for a true Wisconsin tradition - the Friday night fish fry

Evening: Dinner at the house, fireside chats, star gazing and relaxing

Saturday:

Wake Up: Coffee, breakfast, kayaking or exploring

Morning: WHY Discovery session 

Afternoon: Pack lunches and head to Copper Falls for a hike, reflection, photos with Mo Speer

Late Afternoon: Cranberry bog tour and happy hour in the bog (our hosts are growrs for Ocean Spray!)

Dinner, cocktails and general Wisconsin nostalgia! 

Dusk: Night swim, S'mores, stargazing and campfire chats! 

Sunday:

Wake Up: Coffee, WHY discovery wrap up, leather bracelet stamping with A Well Worn Story 

Farewell brunch together at the house.

12pm: Departure! 

Your Accommodations: 

The Brick House at Alderwood Resort is a colonial style home tucked into the southern shore of Alder Lake.The house features plenty of space for your entire groups in all seasons of the year. Enjoy life in the north, with new furnishings, over 200' of premium sand bottom lake frontage, 2 private docks, firepit, and large yard.

See the house description and photos here: https://www.alderwood-resort.com/thebrickhouse

Sleeping Arrangements: 

The house sleeps 11 people in twin, queen and king-sized beds. To accommodate our group, we will be sleeping 2 people per queen and king bed. However, if you'd like to upgrade your stay, you can choose the 'own bed' option for an extra $50 to ensure you get your own bed. There are 7 of these available at first come first served. 

Want to share a room with a friend? Let us know in your attendee registration and we'll make sure you're paired together! 

We are doing our best to follow COVID guidelines and still have a wonderful experience! 

Payment Plan: 

 Want to split your registration into two payments? Pay $300 now and the final $300 on October 1st. Choose the down payment option at checkout! 

ALL ARE WELCOME TO APPLY; We firmly believe in inclusion - please note that regardless of your identity, ability, etc you are welcome. That includes LGBTQIA+ folx, indigenous/racially diverse backgrounds, and different body sizes and abilities.