A Founders Story: The Inspiration Behind OMNoire Retreats Marketplace

As a woman of color, I've often found myself in spaces where I felt out of place, where my unique needs and experiences were overlooked. Whether it was in a yoga studio, fitness class, or professional settings, there was always a sense of being the "only one" or having to adapt to an environment that wasn't designed with me in mind. 

This feeling of exclusion sparked a desire in me to create spaces where women of color could feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

Travel has always been a passion of mine. It's a way to explore new cultures, connect with different people, and most importantly, reconnect with myself. However, I noticed that many retreats didn't cater to the unique cultural experiences and wellness needs of women of color. I wanted to change that.

In October 2017, I hosted my first retreat in Grenada for 53 Black women from around the world. In 2018, I hosted three more retreats in the Poconos, Barbados, and Bali. It was during that time, around spring 2018, that I decided to close my PR & Marketing Agency to focus on OMNoire full-time. Since then, I’ve hosted 10 retreats around the globe for hundreds of women.

For years I hosted all the OMNoire retreats, and oftentimes I would get inquiries from my community on if I planned to host retreats for entrepreneurs, mothers and daughters, and various other groups. While I loved the idea, I knew I could only physically and energetically host 2-3 retreats a year, and I had a particular style of retreat that I offered. 

It became clear that to meet the diverse needs of my community, I needed to expand. This realization led to the idea of bringing on a team of retreat leaders. 

In 2021, I launched the Retreat Like a Boss Academy (formerly OMNoire Retreats Academy) to coach women on how to host transformative, profitable retreats. The response was overwhelming, and the success stories from these women were incredibly inspiring. 

Today, I am proud to say that we have 24 retreat leaders under the OMNoire umbrella, and we host 15-20 retreats a year. These retreats are diverse in their themes and styles, but they all share the common goal of empowering women of color.

The idea for a marketplace of retreats was born out of this vision. I wanted to create a platform that not only offered a variety of retreat options but also prioritized the cultural and wellness needs of women of color. 

"Creating what I call the “AirBnb of Retreats for Women of Color” has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It's not just about organizing retreats; it's about building a community, fostering connections, and empowering women to prioritize their well-being." 

It was about more than just providing a service; it was about creating a movement.

A movement where women of color could come together, share their experiences, support each other, and grow both personally and professionally. Launching this marketplace was not without its challenges. There were moments of doubt and uncertainty, but my passion and commitment to this cause kept me going.

I am inspired by the countless women of color who are doing amazing things in their communities and around the world. They deserve a space that acknowledged their contributions and provided them with the tools and resources to continue their journey of growth and self-discovery.

Through this marketplace, I've seen incredible transformations. Women have found a sense of belonging, developed lasting friendships, and discovered new passions. It's been heartwarming to witness the impact these retreats have had on their lives. The feedback and stories shared by the participants have been a constant reminder of why I started this journey in the first place.

Creating what I call the “AirBnb of Retreats for Women of Color” has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It's not just about organizing retreats; it's about building a community, fostering connections, and empowering women to prioritize their well-being. 

This journey has taught me the power of resilience, the importance of representation, and the incredible impact that a supportive community can have. My hope is that this marketplace continues to grow and becomes a go-to resource for women of color seeking meaningful and enriching retreat experiences. 

Together, we are creating a new narrative in the wellness and travel industry—one that celebrates and empowers women of color in all their diversity and brilliance.

Here at OMNoire we are committed to fostering your well being and whichever retreat you choose, we always will take great pride in making sure that you return home refreshed, rejuvenated and restored so that you can carry that experience through all your days.

Check out our upcoming retreats here: https://omnoire.com/pages/retreats-calendar

I hope you join us at one of our many retreats around the world. You deserve.

xo, Christina Rice

Founder, OMNoire