I recently had the incredible opportunity to travel to France—a trip filled with learning, teaching, connection, and (of course) champagne. And while the whole experience was amazing, there was one standout moment that hit me harder than I expected:

I got to visit the Veuve Clicquot champagne house.

Y’all. My heart.

Yes, I adore their champagne. But it’s not just about what’s in the glass. It’s the story behind it. The legacy. The woman.

Meet Madame Clicquot: A True Business Icon

Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, also known as the Widow Clicquot (“Veuve” means widow in French), wasn’t just sipping champagne in the 1800s. She was building the finest champagne legacy the world had ever seen. After her husband passed away, she took over the family wine business—at a time when women couldn’t even open bank accounts.

But she didn’t just keep the business going. She revolutionized it.

She was:

• The first person (not just woman!) to produce vintage champagne
• The creator of the first rosé champagne
• An innovator who invented the riddling table (champagne lovers, you know)
• A bold businesswoman who exported her bubbly across Europe during the Napoleonic wars

Her guiding principle? “Only one quality, the finest.”

Those words weren’t just a tagline. They were her business philosophy—a reminder to show up with excellence, intention, and integrity in every decision.

Why This Hit Me So Hard

As I wandered through her cellars, sipping champagne and soaking up the history, I kept hearing those words echo in my heart.

“Only one quality, the finest.”

It reminded me of something my Italian grandfather (Nonno) used to say: “If you do it, do it right.”

That same principle lives in me. And I know it lives in so many of you who are building your retreat business not just with passion, but with purpose.

You Are a Business Owner. Own It.

Retreat leaders aren’t just hosts. You’re entrepreneurs. You’re designing experiences, building brands, managing teams, handling logistics, selling offers—that’s business, baby.

And if you want to build something lasting, something fulfilling, something profitable, you have to lead like Madame Clicquot:

• With vision
• With innovation
• With pride in your product
• And with an uncompromising standard for quality

What “The Finest” Looks Like in Your Business

It doesn’t mean fancy. It doesn’t mean expensive. It means intentional.

• Thoughtful touches in your accommodations and workshops
• Communication that reflects care and professionalism
• Pricing that reflects value and sustainability
• Offers that are designed with alignment and integrity

You don’t need a massive following or a luxury resort. You need purpose, clarity, and a commitment to excellence.

The World Is Always Moving—So Keep Creating

Madame Clicquot said: “The world is in perpetual motion, and we must invent the things of tomorrow.”

And she did.

So can you.

You don’t need to be the loudest or the flashiest. You just need to stand in your truth, lead with integrity, and serve with heart.

Only one quality: the finest.

Let that be your North Star.

With love and leadership,

Shannon