HOEM
Schedule at
a Glance
MAY 27
Arrive in the afternoon, settle into your space, and ease into retreat mode. We’ll gather for welcome drinks, a group meal, campfire talks and a grounding conversation to set intentions for our time together.
MAY 28
Start the day with gentle movement through a guided yoga session and nourishing food, followed by workshops focused on photography, branding and intentional storytelling. The afternoon invites hands-on creativity and quiet reflection. We’ll end with a golden hour portrait session, a cozy community dinner and a campfire under the stars.
MAY 29
We’ll ease into our final morning with movement, reflection and meaningful conversation. Before we part ways, you’ll leave with new tools, connections and a heart full of inspiration to carry forward.
AFTER
The magic doesn’t end when we pack up. After the retreat, you’ll receive a beautiful digital takeaway filled with workshop highlights, your new headshots and lifestyle photos and other creative tools to support your growth. We’ll also stay connected with our retreat community through follow-up conversations and future HOEM gatherings. This isn’t just a weekend away—it’s the beginning of something lasting.
This retreat is for female creatives, entrepreneurs and dreamers who are ready to reconnect with their creativity, gain clarity and grow within a supportive community.
This retreat is for female creatives, entrepreneurs and dreamers who are ready to reconnect with their creativity, gain clarity and grow within a supportive community.
Although not limited to, here are some folks who would benefit greatly from the retreat:
• Any woman who is interested! If you’re intrigued, you are welcome here!
• Photographers (wedding, lifestyle, brand)
• Graphic Designers
• Brand Strategists
• Web Designers/Developers
• Content Creators
• Copywriters
• Marketing Professionals
• Creative Entrepreneurs
• Social Media Managers
• Small Business Owners
• Wellness Practitioners (yoga teachers, holistic coaches)
• Artists & Illustrators
• Private Chefs, Nutritionists, Bakers
• Bloggers & Writers
• Event Planners
• Stylists (interior, fashion, brand)
• Coaches (business, mindset, creative)
• Florists
• Jewelry Designers
• Shop Owners & Curators (online or brick-and-mortar)
• Ceramicists & Potters
• Any ladies longing for a creative spark, looking for community or simply just looking for time to unwind in the outdoorsWe’re staying at the beautiful Heartwood Mendocino property in Mendocino, California. Enjoy this special retreat in nature: giant redwoods and sunny meadows, minutes from downtown. Your tent cabin has a heated mattress, luxe linens and down comforter. Towels, lantern are provided so that your stay is a most cozy one.
The bathhouse and tree shower are right nearby with hot showers & a common room, all heated so that you’re cared for year round. The shared outdoor kitchen has barbecues, a sink, stove, refrigerator, work tables and dining tables.
Your cabin is a beautiful sturdy structure with canvas walls and roof, and a solid wood floor. There are real windows and door. You have access to a beautiful bath house quite near your cabin. The bathhouse is heated and has plenty of hot water. A common room adjoins the bathhouse, so even in foul weather you have a place to be.
Shared and Solo Options AvailableYes! We have offered lots of different tiered pricing and payment options to help make hoem available to everyone this fall - the deposit option allows you to pay $300 now and 2 payments later
All sales are final due to the intimate nature of the event. However, you’re welcome to transfer your spot to someone else if you can no longer attend.
The Venue
Heartwood Mendocino is just minutes from Mendocino's beaches, parks and sweet town, yet private and quiet as it is surrounded by 50,000 acre state forest with world class hiking and biking trails directly accessed from our place.
Everything that you need and nothing that you don’t. From the luxurious bathhouse, viral redwood tree shower to our heated beds, they have thought of all of the details to make you most comfortable while escaping to the redwoods. Please note: these are glamping accommadations
So what will I get at HOEM?
A few valuable experiences and assets you will receive:
• A stay at the beautiful Heartwood Mendocino minutes from the village of Mendocino, beaches and more
• Private Business Consultation with Holly + Em (tailored to your creative business!)
• Professional headshots and access to HOEM content library
• Workshops including marketing strategy, Instagram tips, and hands-on photography sessions
• Daily Yoga
• Optional Excursions (Kayaking, mountain biking, local exploration) • Massage Add-on Available
• Nourishing Meals (most meals included — one optional meal outing in town)
• Take-home Goodies
• $500 Credit toward any future service with Locals Creative or Holly Shankland Photography
• One-of-a-kind Community of like-minded women creatives to connect, collaborate, and grow with
PHOTOGRAPHY
Topics that We will Cover
• How to create a consistent style + coloring that reflects you
• A Lightroom Mobile demo — learn how to edit easily and keep your brand looking cohesive all year long
• Tips for taking beautiful, on-brand photos by yourself (even with your iPhone)
• How to see light — I’ll teach you how to develop an eye for lighting and how it can dramatically impact your photos, highlight a product, or tell a deeper story
• Website + Instagram audit to fine-tune your online presence
• Fill in the gaps — wherever you’re stuck, we’ll work through it
• Fun, updated headshots that feel natural + authentic (valued at $600+ alone!)
• Basics of aperture, shutter speed + ISO — so you can confidently shoot your own content year-round
BRANDING, MARKETING, DESIGN
Topics that We will Cover
• Brand Rootwork: What’s Your Why?
• Product & Service Clarity
• Business as a Force for Good
• Canva Basics for Content Creation
• 1:1 Branding + Website Audit
• Tips & Tricks for Social Media
• The Art of Visual Storytelling
• Connecting with your Community + Ideal Customer
• Tools, programs and platforms to boost your productivity
BEYOND BUSINESS
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions invite you to experience Mendocino’s wild beauty up close. Our activities will be TBD but our vision is to choose from kayaking along the rugged coastline, mountain biking through redwood trails, or exploring charming local spots at your own pace. These adventures are the perfect way to recharge and reconnect with nature between workshop sessions.
Daily Yoga
A dynamic, soulful experiences crafted by Kellee Rich, E-RYT, YACEP, and founder of Wild Soul Events. Through mindfulness practices, gentle movement, and outdoor exploration, Kellee will help you reconnect with your body, your spirit, and the natural world — giving you the clarity and inspiration to fuel your next creative chapter.
Massage + Wellness
Enhance your retreat experience with a rejuvenating massage, available as a wellness add-on. It's the perfect way to unwind, restore balance, and deepen your connection to rest and renewal.
Prices and services coming late summer/early fall.
Our Founders
Founded by two friends and fellow creatives, Holly & Em have a long history collaborating together, hosting events and working together through client projects, climate action efforts and more.
Co-Founder, Photographer
Holly Shankland
Meet Holly Shankland— a Truckee-based photographer who captures moments of love and adventure.
With 17 years behind the lens, dating back to her darkroom days in high school, photography remains her greatest passion. When she’s not shooting, you’ll likely find her chasing snow, hanging with her dog Harper, listening to bluegrass, or planning her next big adventure.
Holly is also deeply passionate about helping creatives and entrepreneurs build authentic brands and show up confidently as themselves.
Co-Founder, Designer
Em Deane Kelley
Meet Em Deane Kelley, a graphic designer and the proud female business owner of Locals Creative—a boutique creative agency.
Outside of the office, she can often be found road-tripping with her dog and husband, mountain biking, enjoying bluegrass shows with friends, or relaxing by a campfire with family.
Through her work, Em uses her business as a platform to advocate for community causes, environmental protection, and human rights. With the outdoors engrained in her DNA, she strives to inspire those around her to speak up and protect the places they love most.
Our Vision
We believe creativity thrives in community and in nature. Our vision is to create a safe inspiring space where women can reconnect with themselves, ask questions freely and grow both personally and professionally. Through shared experiences, quiet moments and creative workshops we aim to help you overcome barriers—whether that’s building a brand, finding your voice or simply allowing yourself to rest.
We’re here to support authenticity, self-love and balance in a world that often pushes hustle over harmony. This retreat is about slowing down to move forward—with intention, joy and connection.
