Retreat Notes From Libba

BEYOND BEAUTIFUL: Designing Hotels that Last in Memory

Interior Designer and Author Amanda Lindroth
in conversation with Sarah Wetenhall, Owner and CEO of The Colony Hotel 

Successful business and design are fundamentally an act of intentional, authentic storytelling, focused on creating a deep sense of emotional connection

• Every creative wrestles with moments of insecurity—recognizing that uncertainty is part of the process helps you stay authentic as your style develops.

• Applying your “home” design instincts to commercial spaces creates a sense of comfort and belonging that elevates the guest experience.

• Design is only one piece of the story—hospitality begins the moment a guest arrives, through every sensory and emotional impression.

• Designing for leisure is an act of storytelling. Each space should narrate a feeling or moment in time, inviting guests to linger and connect with the environment.

• “If you have no problems, you have no business.” Growth happens when you’re solving and evolving, not when everything feels easy.

SCALING UP: Start Up Star to Seed Investor

Michelle Cordeiro Grant, Founder of GORGIE and LIVELY,
in conversation with Lydia Fenet, Founder & CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency
and Claim Your Confidence Podcast

Powerful branding is achieved through authentic, intentional human connection and a compelling, well-understood story.

• Build brands that make people feel. The most powerful brands evoke emotion through tangible, human moments—whether it’s a story told face-to-face or an experience that lingers long after the first impression.

• Your story is your differentiator. If your brand story doesn’t break through, people move on. Invite connection by letting others see and hear the heart behind what you’ve created.

• Be both timeless and timely. Strong brands balance enduring principles with cultural relevance. They honor legacy while staying in conversation with the present.

• Know your audience—then test it. Build informal “focus groups.” Ask honest people what they see and feel, then listen deeply.

• Network with intention. Your community is your greatest resource. Ask questions, seek feedback, and use your network as an ever-evolving advisory board. Someone always knows the answer.

• Believe it. See it. Live it. Think big and bold. Visually build what you imagine, show it to others, and live like it’s already happening—the energy you project becomes the brand you build.

LEADERSHIP BY DESIGN: Building a Brand That Inspires & Endures 

Lauren Bush Lauren, Founder of FEED and Sarah Wetenhall
in conversation with Steele Marcoux, Editor-in-Chief of Veranda magazine

Purpose, people, and intuition are the core ingredients for building a fulfilling and successful brand.

• Create products and experiences that serve a greater good. As Lauren emphasized, FEED’s mission to “feed the world” reminds us that business success and social impact can coexist beautifully when purpose is at the heart of the brand.

• Take time to pause and meet with people who ask meaningful, pointed questions that make you stop and reflect. Some of the most valuable insights often come from fellow entrepreneurs and friends who challenge and inspire you.

• Form an informal “phone-a-friend” group or advisory board—people you can call on for honest advice, perspective, and encouragement. Building a strong network is essential for growth and resilience.

• Work becomes more fulfilling when it’s shared. As Sarah noted, the journey is not as joyful unless you bring others along—whether it’s your team, your community, or your audience. Growth happens when connection is mutual.

• Trust Your Gut. Follow intuition over logic when it feels right. Even when the dream doesn’t make sense on paper, listen to the voice that knows what’s aligned. The path of passion often leads to the most authentic success.

• Retention matters—nurturing loyal customers and relationships—but continuing to attract new ones is equally vital for a thriving brand. Growth comes from balancing both ends of that equation.

LUNCH WITH DARCY: 10 Tips to Bring Soul to Your Business (and Life) Every Single Day

Darcy Miller, Author, Illustrator, Entrepreneur, and Founding Editor of Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings

Genuine connection, built on authenticity and kindness, is the true engine of success and fulfillment.

• Authenticity is magnetic. The most successful brands stay true to themselves—sharing a bit of their soul and story creates genuine connection.

• Kindness is contagious. A spirit of generosity and grace spreads far beyond business—it builds community.

• Words hold power. They can shape meaning and evoke feeling long after a moment passes. Choose them with care.

• Don’t just do it yourself—do it together. Collaboration (DIT) brings more creativity, joy, and shared purpose than solo effort (DIY).

• Celebrate the simple. Put pen to paper, elevate the everyday, and find beauty in the small things.

• Shift your focus from perfection to appreciation. Don’t sweat the small stuff—celebrate it. It’s often where the magic lives.
  
  Special thanks to Caroline Borders for her excellent note taking when I got sidetracked!!