Another year, same unrealized business goals? Let's change that.
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JOIN A SMALL, HIGHLY CURATED GROUP OF FREELANCE BUSINESS OWNERS + THREE EXPERT CONSULTANTS AND MAKEÂ 2026Â YOUR BEST YEAR YET WITHÂ FIVE DAYS OF STRATEGY, COMMUNITY, AND CLARITY
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January 9-15, 2026
Agaete, Gran Canaria | Limited to 12 Freelancers
It's that time of year again...
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You're making plans, setting goals, promising yourself this will be the year you finally build the freelance business you envisioned. Sound familiar?
By spring, you'll likely realize nothing changed—not because you didn't try, but because you didn't know what to focus on first.
If you're nodding along, you're in good company.
- You have ambitious plans, but keep getting pulled back into client work instead of building your business
-Â You want a clear brand that reflects your expertise, but feel overwhelmed by where to begin
- You're tired of feeling like you're making it up as you go instead of running a strategic operation
Here's the truth: Most freelancers spend entire years spinning their wheels on what you could master in five focused days with the right guidance.
If you're one of those people who needs that magic kick in the pants, along with accountability partners, proven know-how, and strategic goal setting, the retreat is exactly what you're looking for. Don't let this year become another "maybe next year."
The Experience

Away from distractions, surrounded by inspiration. Gran Canaria isn't just a beautiful backdrop, it's a strategic choice. When you remove yourself from your daily environment, your brain opens up to possibilities you can't see from your home office.
Small group, big impact. With only 12 participants, this isn't a conference where you're one face in a crowd. Every conversation matters. Every connection is intentional. Every breakthrough gets the attention it deserves.
Work-life integration, not work-life balance. We believe in sustainable businesses that serve your life. That's why our days include strategic work sessions balanced with time to explore, think, and actually enjoy being somewhere beautiful.
Draft Programme Agenda
What You'll Leave With
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A Clear 2026 Strategic Plan
Walk away with a concrete roadmap for the next 12 months that aligns with your goals and focuses on six key areas of your business:Â
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→ Clients: Dive into the hearts and minds of your best clients and discover what makes them tick, so you can go into conversations with confidence and leave with done deals.Â
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→ Services: Figure out which parts of your business you need to scale, sustain, and scrap to get what YOU need, not what your clients demand.
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→ Profit: Create a profit tracking system, so you know you can give yourself that bonus or finally fire that client.
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→ Value: Upgrade your money mindset so you can ask for what you're worth without feeling like a used car salesman.Â
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→ Strategy: Create meaningful, flexible goals that actually drive what you do, then learn how to execute so you can finally get that website updated, create that SOP you’ve been avoiding, and update your CRM that’s covered in cobwebs.
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→ Systems: Identify where and why you're wasting time, then refine your systems and habits so you can end the day feeling accomplished and start the next day knowing exactly what to do.
Using our proven sprint planning methodology, you'll have quarterly milestones, monthly tactics, and systems to keep you accountable.
Defined Personal Brand
Go through a deep-dive process with a branding expert who specifically focuses on freelance businesses.
Dig into the core of your brand and then create a high-level brand strategy with the exclusive Brand DNA framework. We'll study your ideal client, competitors, goals, what makes you different, and a few more attributes that compose your Brand DNA. This will be your baseline to build a brand you’re (finally) proud of and gets you the clients you want.
No more generic "I'm a freelance [whatever]" introductions. You'll have messaging that makes ideal clients say "I need to work with this person."
High-Value Network
Connect with other successful freelancers who understand your challenges and can become collaborators, referral partners, and friends. This isn't networking, it's building relationships with people who actually get what you do.
The Investment
What's Included:
- A pre-retreat call to meet the group and begin the strategic planning experienceÂ
- A private community for retreat participantsÂ
- A light breakfast and coffee each day
- Five days of strategic workshops and coaching
- All workshop materials and resources
- Custom retreat swag
- Farewell group dinner
- Access to exclusive post-retreat resources
- 90 days of follow-up support via our private community and content libraryÂ
What's not included:
- Accommodation charges in our secured room block at El Cabo Coliving (discounted rate reflected below for retreat participants)*
- Airfare to Gran Canaria
- All lunches and dinners (except farewell dinner)
- Transportation to/from the venue
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Early Bird: €1,497 / $1,750Â
(until October 20, 2025)
Standard: €1,997 / $2,330
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* Accommodation rates
Double bedroom for single use (incl. private bathroom): €56/night ($65/night). Double bedroom for double occupancy (incl. private bathroom): €65/night ($78/night). Participants can extend their stay at this discounted rate - the longer you stay, the cheaper the rate!Â
Who This Is For
âś… You've been freelancing for at least 2 yearsÂ
âś… You're tired of reactive business decisions and ready for proactive planning
âś… You want to position yourself as an expert, not just another service provider
âś… You're committed to building a business that serves your life, not consumes it
Who this is NOT for
❌ Brand new freelancers
❌ People looking for get-rich-quick schemes or "silver-bullet" tactics
❌ Anyone not willing to do the deep work of examining their business honestly
❌ Anyone who’s not ready to help their freelance peers (Lone wolves need not apply)
Meet Your Hosts

Sarah Duran
Fractional COO & Business Coach
Sarah has spent 10 years helping solopreneurs transform their "accidental businesses" into intentional ones. As a fractional COO, she's seen what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to scaling service-based businesses. Her agile, short-cycle planning methodology has helped hundreds of freelancers create sustainable businesses that serve their lives instead of consuming them.
What people say about Sarah:
“Working with Sarah helped me realize what I was going through as a business owner wasn’t unusual. She gave me space to process outwardly, pressure test ideas, and have a sounding board.” — Wayles Wilson
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“Sarah is breaking the mold by helping us center our humanity and our personal needs, all while building sustainable, agile mini-businesses that fit our lives (not the other way around).” — Caitlyn Tivy
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“Sarah challenges freelancers to both plan and dream big. I would highly recommend Sarah to anyone looking to give their business some clarity and direction.” — Anna Burgess Yang
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“She’s real, driven, and has experience navigating the professional world as a freelancer.” — Jessica McKeil
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“Sarah challenges us to identify not only what we love and do well and how to monetize that, but to define who we are as human beings and what success looks like on our unique terms.” — JoAnn Gometz

Elina Jutelyte
Freelance Business Community FounderÂ
Elina transitioned from corporate life to freelancing, quickly recognizing the need for stronger community among independents. She founded the Freelance Business Community, a grassroots initiative in Belgium that has grown into a global network of thousands across 60+ countries. Recognized by Forbes and named among the “Top 40 Female Leaders of the Year,” Elina champions freelancers worldwide.
What people say about Elina:
"The Freelance Business Community and Elina continue to bring super valuable events and programming for Freelancers at any stage in their journey. Their most recent Marketing & Sales event featured 3 seasoned experts who shared some key nuggets to help with creating more engaging Marketing content for ourselves and our clients. I was left feeling inspired and excited! I would highly recommend FBC!" — Andrea Chase Â
"The Freelancer business platform was a great opportunity to meet people from totally different sectors that we usually do not come across often enough. The platform also created a space for exchange of ideas in all areas and from different profiles of freelancers. New concepts to think about and further explore. Thank you for organising this event, Elina." — Marie PetersÂ
"Elina organises world-class events for freelancers."— Robert Vlach
Plus, Special Guest, Joel Sousa

Joel is a brand strategist and designer for solopreneurs who want to stand out, be seen and get hired(!) as the experts that they are.
In 2020 he got tired of working with “bigger businesses” and all the corporate nonsense that came with them, fired all of his ongoing clients and started fresh in 2021 to focus on working with solopreneurs.
That was only possible because he invested so much time and effort in his personal brand. And that’s the journey he will take you on.
He builds brands that not only stand out but also stand for something,Â
What People Say About Joel:
"Joel is a go-to for brand strategy. I worked with him to rebrand my web design business and after every session, felt the energy from the insights that I think only Joel could have provided for me. He guided me through his process, which is clear, simple and straightforward, making the strategy work seem easy (while it's not) and fun (which it should be!).” — Judy Bigham
"Working with Joel was the best decision I made for my brand. He doesn’t just design. He listens. His approach is mindful, intentional, and rooted in truly understanding you and your business. The result? A brand and website that feel like me. Beautiful, professional, and effective. No fluff, no ego, no BS. Just real partnership and work that delivers. If you want someone who gets it and knows how to bring your vision to life, Joel’s your guy.” — Angi Milano
Why Gran Canaria?
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Strategic location. Gran Canaria offers the perfect blend of European accessibility, island tranquility, and a digital nomad vibe. Direct flights from major European cities make it easy to reach, while the year-round perfect weather and stunning landscapes create an environment where breakthrough thinking happens naturally.
No distractions. When you remove yourself from your daily environment (your home office, your routine, your regular interruptions), your brain opens up to possibilities you can't see from your desk.
Inspiration everywhere. From volcanic landscapes to ocean views, Gran Canaria provides the kind of natural beauty that reminds you why you chose freedom in the first place.
The venue, El Cabo Coliving, is a unique building designed specifically to host remote workers and team retreats. It’s located in Agaete Village, probably one of the most authentic fishing villages in Gran Canaria, and at the same time the starting point of some of the most mind-blowing hiking routes in the Island. Enjoy the shared amenities such as a communal kitchen, a living room-style meeting space, a relaxing courtyard, and laundry facilities. Not to mention the incredible rooftop, where you can unwind while watching a breathtaking sunset, join the community for a barbecue, or even bring your laptop and work for a while.



Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Strategizing?
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Applications close October 31, 2025 (or as soon as spots are filled).
This isn't a retreat for everyone. We're looking for 12 serious freelancers ready to do the work of building intentional, sustainable businesses. If you're ready to stop reacting and start strategizing, we want to talk to you.
The application process includes a brief call to ensure this experience is the right fit for where you are in your business journey.
Got Questions? We've Got Answers.
What if I can't attend every session?
Will there be time to explore Gran Canaria?
What's the accommodation like?
Is this tax-deductible as a business expense?
What is the cancellation policy?
Can I extend my stay?
Can I bring a partner/family member?
Are there any discounts possible?
What travel logistics am I responsible for?
What are the payment terms?
What is included in the accommodation
What is the application process and timeline?
Can I choose which room I will be staying in?
Who are the organizers of the retreat?
What are the terms and conditions?
Fill Out the Form Below to Apply
We'll reach out with more information after we review applications.