Retreat Notes From Hannah Groseclose

Day One unfolded with the kind of beauty that does not shout. It lingers. The kind stitched together from creativity, shared stories, and a collective desire to build work that feels intentional and human.

What stood out most was this: every brand, every collaboration, every creative breakthrough begins with people. The way you make someone feel. The story they carry with them after they walk away.

Across every session, the message echoed. Protect your energy, honor your craft, and leave space for the imperfect moments. That is often where the soul lives.

FLOWER FLASH: Beauty in Every Bloom

Lewis Miller, Founder of LMD New York
Interviewed by Sarah Wetenhall, Owner and CEO of The Colony Hotel

Listening to Lewis felt like being reminded of something you have always known but forgotten to articulate. Beauty is not something you manufacture. It is something you notice, nurture, and allow.

His work may be grand and theatrical, but his philosophy is disarmingly simple: treat people with care, celebrate the imperfect, and protect the parts of your process that make you who you are.

Key Takeaways

1. Aim for 85 percent. Lewis believes perfection leaves no room for magic. The last 15 percent, the wobbles and the quirks and the instinct, is where the work becomes alive.

2. Every client is a VIP. Whether it is Dior or a neighbor who stumbles across a Flower Flash, every interaction should feel like a first impression filled with warmth and generosity.

3. The right partner is not always the perfect resume. True synergy comes from personality. It comes from feeling seen, understood, and energized.

4. Difficulty can spark clarity. The messy moments often sharpen collaboration and grow you in ways that stay with you.

5. Success is a slow burn. There is rarely one arrival. Sustaining creativity requires returning to wonder again and again.

6. Honor your boundaries. Your calendar is part of your craft. A gentle no, paired with a kind question like “tell me more about timing,” protects your work and your life simultaneously.

7. Creative process is not linear. Sometimes early planning creates refinement. Sometimes procrastination brings honesty and intuition. Trust the rhythm that works for you.

8. Give back generously. Flower Flash installations are reminders that beauty offered freely builds connection and community.

UNCORKED: The Next Chapter for Legacy Brands

Joey Wölffer, Wölffer Estate Vineyard
Sarah Wetenhall, The Colony Hotel

This conversation felt like a masterclass in evolution. How to honor where you came from while stepping forward with purpose and confidence.

Both women are guiding heritage brands with histories that matter, and their insights centered on presence, clarity, and a strong sense of identity.

Key Takeaways

1. Operate from identity, not insecurity. A brand becomes magnetic when it moves with confidence instead of comparison.

2. More is not better. Too many collaborations dilute meaning. Premium brands stay focused and intentional.

3. Place shapes story. Wölffer’s soul is tied to the Hamptons. The Hedges Inn draws from its own history and charm. Lean into what makes your brand feel rooted.

4. Grow without losing yourself. Expansion should add possibility, not erase the essence that made people fall in love.

5. Use social media thoughtfully. Storytelling will always build stronger connection than quick trends.

6. Family businesses carry complexity. Joey shared that female leaders often navigate invisible dynamics, especially when they become the visible face of the brand, but stepping forward is part of honoring both legacy and future.

PLAYFUL SPIRIT: Hitting the Collaboration Jackpot

Photographer Nick Mele and Roxy Owens, Society Social
Moderated by Sarah Wetenhall

This session felt like a celebration of creative chemistry. The kind that sparks unexpectedly and grows into something bigger than either person could imagine on their own.

Nick and Roxy’s collaboration began with a simple introduction at The Colony and unfolded into one of the most delightful reimaginings of game night classics. Their partnership is proof that play is not frivolous. It is fuel.

Key Takeaways

1. Alignment matters. The strongest collaborations grow from shared vision, shared values, and shared joy.

2. Fresh eyes lead to fresh work. A partner helps you see your brand from a new angle and stretch creatively without losing your core.

3. All mediums tell stories. Interiors, photography, fashion. They are simply different languages expressing personality, place, and emotion.

4. Experiment with intention. Limited-run pieces can expand your reach, but clarity keeps your audience feeling grounded.

5. Honor the past and reimagine the present. The best designs feel both familiar and new, rooted and refreshed.