Vending at Retreat?
Retreat is a spiritual experience however part of being spiritual is also living in that moment in whatever we do on a minute by minute basis. Many of us have a hobby or a business that others enjoy. With the current economic times is important to many to be able to make the most of every moment as well.
I would like to open a discussion about individuals coming to retreat and bringing their wares. Would this detour you from your experience at retreat or would it be a welcome addition?
Off the top of my head I know that we have the following among us:
Jewelry in every way shape Bamboo items made from the bamboo at the center such as incense holders, flutes and wind chimes to name a few Athena Womanly Products CD's and Workbooks Feng Shui Kits Crazy Quilts Pendulums
I welcome your input if you would like to have this included. Perhaps as you arrive on Friday waiting for us to get started, Saturday afternoon prior to dinner and then on Sunday after we close are times that I think it would work for this retreat. I do not want to take away your Zen Moments (FOG/quiet times) as they are very important to the overall experience of "Finding Your Zen".
Word History: It is hard to believe that a word as Asian as Zen is ultimately an Indo-European word. Zen, which has been in English since 1727, is the Japanese pronunciation of Chinese chán, "quietude." Chán comes from Pali jh?na?, from Sanskrit dhy?nam, "meditation," from the Sanskrit root dhy?-, dh?-, "to see, observe." The Indo-European root behind the Sanskrit is *dhei?-, *dhy?-, "to see, look at." This root also shows up in Greek, where *dhy?- developed into s?-, as in Common Greek *s?ma, "sign, distinguishing mark." This became s?ma in Attic Greek, the source of English semantic.
With the above it does play into Zen by "to see, look at" and "sign, distinguishing mark" as all products are a glimpse of the woman behind them.
I think 'market time' should be only Friday afternoon before dinner, Saturday night after ritual, and Sunday afternoon after final activities. Doing this would help keep it separate for the actually retreat. I would even suggest not having it at all on Saturday; only do it before and after sacred time/ space.
Would this be a viable way to help supplement the costs of retreat? Would you charge a set fee or a percentage of sales? I think a percentage of sales would be more fair, BUT it may not bring in as much to help with costs. Also, a percentage based system is unreliable, and you can't get an accurate estimate. Maybe you could charge a very small set up fee plus a percentage of a sales... ?
Also, all items should be in line with a women's spiritual retreat. You know what I mean?
Another idea I had was perhaps having a gratuity jar out all week end... like the dhana basket, to help pay for incidentals (like extra groceries). Also, maybe, charge for extra portions and snacks?
Just some ideas...
~Krystal
Sunday morning agenda:
8am - Gentle Yoga
9:30 - Brunch
10:30 - Closing in the Zendo
After closing you will be asked to bring any decor in your rooms to the dining hall however not mandatory. The common spaces we ask that you either pitch in and help clear them or leave us to do our clean up so that we might be able to get home to our families as well. After the closing is a perfect time for everyone to have a place to go so that we might carry out the breakdown and closing of the energy of the weekend.
There will be no charge for this and no share in the proceeds either. We do hope that anything you make will help to offset the costs of retreat or perhaps have future business.
As a way to offset costs of retreat I am asking someone if they might vend a table for Blessings Within. I will offer things that I have left from previous retreats as well as this one. There are always a few extra items and instead of them gathering dust and me starting yet another Michael's store this could be a win/win situation as many of you have asked about extra items from last retreat for others. Since I am going to have to keep costs down so much then I did have other items that I had wanted to include however will not be able to so I will order a few so that if you wish to have them then you are still able to if you are so inclined.