Marking history adrift from the usual narrative of overindulging, alcohol and a lack of mindfulness, the EDEN retreat in the Currumbin valley was the perfect setting for the first Wellness Success Retreat by O&M, a brand that brings the choice of health to the forefront of hairdressing, writes Cameron Pine.
Anyone who knows O&M knows that, like most success stories, it’s a journey of consistency and health before wealth, a continuum of highs and lows and perfecting the harmony between results and giving back to your business. This was the intention set for a four-day Wellness Retreat from April 23 to 27 at a magical patch of land in Currumbin Valley just north of the Queensland border. Free of phone reception and life’s most detrimental distractions, guests were encouraged to truly embrace themselves and others and be in the moment.
Sometimes to get away from those limiting thoughts in your head you need to delve in deeper, remember that feeling of being a kid again and fly through the trees (quite literally for many guests as they conquered EDEN’s real flying fox in one of the group activities) designed to liberate us all and bring us back to a place of harmony and balance.
Hosted by O&M founder Jose Bryce Smith and the O&M team from management to marketing, education and beyond – the sentiment was set to real connection, rather than the common prose to drive unusual amounts of information or motivational material into the brain. EDEN is a place that’s unique to each individual, whether it be to reset, move past trauma, instil healthier habits or just have some time out, O&M proved that wellness and success go hand in hand.
“My number one value for myself is success for myself and others and seeing others be their best. Health is such a big part of my values and how I live and it has been my vision for a long time to do a retreat for all of our brand partners to enjoy. I really believe that you get what you think about and we are here to all manifest a better business and balance,” Jose said.
“If you think you are going to struggle for money you are going to struggle with money. When I first got into hairdressing I quickly realised it’s a very drug and alcohol fuelled industry and I was pushing a health product and everyone thought I was nuts for a start,” Jose said.
Organic food, low caffeine, no sugar, zero alcohol and many of the stimulants we often take for granted meant that we really had to dive into the schedule – from the 5:55am bell every morning jumping into a practice of mindfulness, yoga or a morning bushwalk proved the intention and purpose we need each day to continue to grow. Taking a choice between one of two activities, EDEN truly embodied that ‘design your own mindfulness’ journey.
“Since I began this journey with O&M I’ve been passionate about hairdressers taking time for themselves to look after their physical and mental health – for people who put others first so much, prioritise themselves for a few days,” Jose said.
Jose is very proud of the movement she has created with the O&M Community – a very inspirational, inclusive and supportive group of people who share similar values. For her to see so many people connecting and sharing and new friendships made was really the key manifestation of the retreat from day one. “Everyone left feeling changed in some way,” Jose said.
“I want the entire industry to realise success and wellness are so connected and successful people look after themselves both physically and mentally. Coming to a place like this you can get both – it’s a dream come true to me that we are here today somewhere so special to share that with all of you,” Jose said.
Heading up Currumbin Creek Road towards EDEN, the real reality of the magical land begins to hit – lush greenery, limestone cliffs, creeks and lush flora and fauna. It’s a whimsical playground where the phone cuts out before you even hit the driveway.
A lot of salons owners can’t step away, with a fear of not having someone to look after the business or no time to invest. The paradox is that for this group it’s an essential part of being able to keep moving forward in 2023.
“How do we grow if we don’t put that energy back? We are here to connect with the power of yourself and talk about what comes to you and not just ‘work’,” Jose said.
In a heartfelt and raw reportage of her personal struggles with O&M from colour wastage to being a few hundred thousand dollars short for the next order, Jose admits creativity, a positive mindset and manifesting has helped her achieve what she has.
“It’s also just as much about letting go, understanding what has been projected on you and how to be responsible for your own boundaries. You can waste a lot of time trying to change other people’s perception of you,” Jose said.
Admitting some of her favourite times are with her therapist to process and download all aspects of her life, Jose said when people expect you to show up for them all the time it’s very easy to put yourself last.
“Whether it’s a business coach, a therapist, a friend or whoever, we all need time to ensure where some things end and we begin – it’s very easy to get caught up and pulled away from our own success.”
While we had lots of sharing of ideas, colour journeys and a social media and building your personal brand session with industry sensation Natalie Anne, there was one significant difference to most industry conferences – largely a result of what happens when you remove substances such as coffee, alcohol and sugar. What we soon discovered was people sat around after dinner and breakfast and had more enduring and meaningful conversations.
As we all sat there under the stars, on the last hurrah of our four-night stay, breathing in the fresh air, there was a lot more to say and to share, about ourselves and the industry. This had been a week of seeing what we could gain by abstaining from common vices – and allowing ourselves to draw on our inner strength for the stamina we needed.
A highly awarded lesson in mindfulness, EDEN is a true health retreat where all guests have time and space to repair, restore and reconnect with themselves in comfort and tranquillity. It’s no wonder the charming plot has won Best Wellness Retreat in the 2019 World Spa Awards.
Personally, my biggest takeaway was not just the digital detox, but the real friendships you make when completely in a state of presence and relaxation. With no internet connection, I quickly learnt how reliant I have become on using my phone to reply when I’m expected to and to entertain my brain. Not having my phone meant I tried to retrain my attention span and set in for a better night’s rest. Again, without the notification distractions, it was funny how much we fit into four days. I almost read any book I found nearby even just in 15 minutes a night.
Activities sessions including a flying fox, breathwork, sound healing, tapping and Kinesi balancing, functional movement, a cooking class, pottery and night time glow worm walks – where we also saw a of of spider hide outs. The schedule was either super active or extra mindful. The true value for me came with many hairdressers and myself learning so much more about movement and how to cure their occupational ailments. A real game-changer came through the Joint Mobilisation class and how often it’s our brain that restricts our movement and how unblocking with simple exercises can dramatically increase movement.
A seemingly more luxurious and slightly less aggressive approach to the old ‘camp EDEN’ days where the strict routine was a way of enforcement rather than a Petri dish of exploration and discovery, EDEN is now distinctly unique to each guest and has just the right amount of luxury for each guests. A sauna, a spa, a spa treatment or time to just sit by the fire and admire the natural beauty of one of the world’s most prized national parks allow guests the ability to unwind.
To talk just the right about of hair business we loved the ‘up close and personal’ with Jose and CEO Kirsty Guaramani, where Jose shared her morning brushing and tapping techniques – brush strokes up towards your heart and down to cleanse the body and renew the intention for the day.
Natalie Anne then discussed topics of legacy, including what impression you leave and manifesting the ultimate self. Natalie Anne spoke to many vulnerabilities and truths to her own journey we don’t always see on social media, showcasing how understanding new perspectives was intrinsic to the EDEN environment.
“What people think of you after is your personal brand, you need to lean into it and sink into the things that truly make you an entrepreneur,” Natalie Anne said. “You also need the ability to separate the influencer and your own self – many influencers become what they project and become who they are online. When you first start creating content you’re always going to lose – but you have to learn the many different ways to deal with negativity online.”
Asking hairdressers to really ask themselves how they are feeling and not just reacting to problems, was Jose’s main take away for the event.
“For people who put others first so much, prioritising themselves for a few days is important to address first if we are going to be leaders. Personal growth is a huge part of our success and having the opportunity to think about ourselves and our lives in different ways and learn some skills to carry them forward in to healthier longer lives – that’s what I wanted to leave with you all.” Jose said.
The O&M Community is a very inspirational, inclusive and supportive group of people who share similar values and it was so incredible to see so many people from different parts of Australia, with different lifestyles and approaches to life, all connecting and sharing. There were new friendships made, and everyone left feeling changed in some way and uplifted by the overall experience.
New confidence, take things back you can implement everyday and be better people to each other were key learnings for me.
Before leaving this serene paradise I couldn’t resist just one more cup of LOVE tea, it soon replaced all the sugary things we crave and the people who work there felt more like new friends than staff.
EDEN Health Retreat feels like a well-kept secret cocooned from the rest of the world, a place to talk about what really drives us in the industry and how we are going to navigate the future. It was so refreshing to take away so much personal stimulus and not leave home with just a multitude of business information, but information to make us daily better a business.
Sometimes we need to unlearn some of our repetitive behaviours before we can experience what it feels like to be liberated and motivated again. To take a deep breath and ensure all the choices we make in life and in business are good for our health. Thank you O&M for making our hair life, a choice of good health.
What some of the salons say about EDEN:
“My five days at EDEN left me feeling renewed, refreshed and focused. I’ve always loved fitness and being healthy, but the retreat really encouraged me to be open to new experiences and to making connections with others in the industry. I think the few days of focusing on myself will enable me to give more energy to my team and my family.”
Mel Corthine, Stevie English Hair
“It was a life changing lesson and experience I had. I can’t express my gratitude enough to be able to be part of the O&M ambassador team and to experience something so energising.”
Daniel Jianing Liu, Usfin Atelier
“What a blessing the last five days have been, I am leaving feeling so full of love, light and gratitude and so many new friends. Thank you to Jose for always leading with love and putting our health and well-being first.”
Becc Snow, Alchemy Salon
Thanks to Jose for the best experience and for making this amazing community. I’m relaxed, restored and reconnected.”
Carly Elliott-Steele, Elliott Steele Hair
“When O&M launched its first ever retreat it couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Professionally and personally I was running on empty and welcoming five days of switching off and tuning in to myself was well and truly exactly what I needed. In the company of Jose and her incredible team of community makers I was able to take the time out I knew I needed but hadn’t prioritised. Returning back to the ‘real world’ I feel 110 per cent more able to be confidently fit for my business, the people I love around me and most importantly for myself. Thank you Jose and O&M for this amazing industry first opportunity.”
Michael Kelly, Salon HER
“Eden was a safe space for reconnecting with myself. It allowed me to push through levels of vulnerability and engage in positive self-reflection. The awaken sessions ran by Caroline were exceptionally life changing and soul fulfilling for me.”
Ash Franklin, Little Hair Boutique
“So often as a business owner we put everything else first and forget to stop and check in on our mental heath and wellbeing. EDEN couldn’t have been a more perfect retreat to rest and realign. The team carefully curated the whole stay from our food to daily activities and treatments. Jose had exceptional foresight in understanding our need for nature and nurture. I have taken so much with me I can now implement in my daily work lie balance.”
Rachel Espley, Vogue Nationale
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