Wellness travel is no longer a luxury; it's a movement. In this episode of the Starrcast Podcast, host Lisa Starr explores the rise of boutique wellness retreats with industry veterans Sallie Fraenkel and Wendy Bosalovage, the co-founders of Redbird House in the Catskills of New York. From building a three-story retreat property during COVID to curating transformative guest experiences, Sallie and Wendy share how they turned a plot of land into one of the most buzzworthy destinations in wellness travel, and what their story reveals about the future of retreats, hospitality, and...
Wellness travel is no longer a luxury; it's a movement.
In this episode of the Starrcast Podcast, host Lisa Starr explores the rise of boutique wellness retreats with industry veterans Sallie Fraenkel and Wendy Bosalovage, the co-founders of Redbird House in the Catskills of New York.
From building a three-story retreat property during COVID to curating transformative guest experiences, Sallie and Wendy share how they turned a plot of land into one of the most buzzworthy destinations in wellness travel, and what their story reveals about the future of retreats, hospitality, and community-driven health.
What You'll Learn:
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The business of transformation – How Redbird House balances creative retreat design with a solid revenue model that includes proprietary programming, Airbnb rentals, and partnerships with outside retreat leaders.
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Designing for impact – Why the "built environment" and guest experience planning are as critical as the retreat programming itself.
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Creating conditions for transformation – Practical insights into pricing, capacity planning, and delivering value while fostering authentic personal growth.
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Trends in wellness travel – The rise of specialty retreats (menopause, conscious leadership, urban day retreats) and why segmentation is the next growth frontier.
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Leadership lessons – How two seasoned wellness professionals navigated risk, uncertainty, and creative collaboration to build a thriving business during a global pandemic.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Why wellness retreats are booming beyond the traditional spa visit
05:30 – Sallie's journey from entertainment to wellness entrepreneurship
12:40 – Wendy's path from fashion to corporate wellness and spa development
20:15 – The serendipitous story behind the Redbird House name and design
28:05 – Building a three-story retreat home during the challenges of COVID
36:20 – How Redbird House creates "conditions for transformation" in every retreat
44:10 – Pricing strategy and the business model behind a successful wellness retreat
50:25 – Future trends: menopause retreats, urban day programs, and the global retreat economy
Meet the Guests:
Sallie Fraenkel is President of MindBodySpirit Network, an event curator and wellness consultant who has organized over 55 industry networking experiences and worked with leading properties like Canyon Ranch, Rancho La Puerta, and Retreat Costa Rica.
Wendy Bosalovage is President of The Wellbeing Collective and a longtime spa and wellness strategist known for her expertise in operational design, new business development, and creating transformative built environments.
Together, they co-founded Redbird House, a boutique wellness retreat destination in Bethel, New York, dedicated to helping women reconnect with themselves through community, curated programming, and playful-yet-profound experiences.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:
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MindBodySpiritCamp seasonal retreat series for summer programs
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"Middle Cappuccino Layer" Retreat Design – a unique metaphor for balancing depth and playfulness
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Synergy Retreat Show – a global gathering of wellness and retreat leaders influencing the next wave of wellness travel
Closing Insight:
"We create the conditions, but transformation is an inside job." – Sallie Fraenkel
Redbird House proves that with vision, collaboration, and careful planning, wellness retreats can be both meaningful and profitable. Explore upcoming retreats or learn more at redbirdhouseny.com and discover how intentional spaces can unlock connection, creativity, and personal growth.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?
Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting
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Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses
Other Links:
Contact Sallie Fraenkel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salliefraenkel
Contact Wendy Bosalavage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-nierel-bosalavage-1001287/
Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness,
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