I’ve been sitting with this for weeks now, trying to find the words. The right ones. The ones that could explain what really happens at BuildHer. And every time I try, I come up short.
It’s hard to find the words to describe what actually happens at the BuildHer Retreat unless you’ve been in the room. Because it’s not a conference. It’s not a networking event. And it’s not just a retreat where we sip cocktails poolside and pretend to relax while our minds race through to-do lists.
A Contractor Conference for Women
BuildHer is something different. Something deeper. It’s real women walking through real life, carrying real pain – and somehow still choosing to show up. It’s raw. It’s cracked open. It’s sacred.
From the moment we all stepped off the plane in Costa Rica, I could feel it. These women were ready – but not for surface-level transformation. They weren’t looking for another motivational quote or another checklist to optimize their business. They were searching for something else. Something more honest. More human. Something they hadn’t given themselves permission to want in a long, long time.
And maybe you’ve been there, too. That place where you look like you’ve got it all together on paper. But inside, you’re tired. You’re carrying too much. You’ve lost pieces of yourself along the way. And you’ve started to wonder if you’ll ever feel truly lit up again.
That’s what this space was made for. Every single woman came with her own story. Some whispered it. Some didn’t have the words yet. Some shared theirs in tears. Others in silence. But by the end of the week, everyone had been seen. Really seen.
I’ll never forget one night at dinner – we all had tears in our eyes that no one felt the need to wipe away. One shared about attempting to take her own life. Another woman shared how it’s because her daughter that she had to bury was the reason she was there. Another shared she hadn’t felt safe in her body or in a room full of women since childhood – and somehow, this was the first time she felt both. Another that she had shown up to BuildHer not because she believed she had it in her – but because someone else believed in her.
And here’s the wildest part: no one tried to fix it. No one had a perfect answer. We just held it. Held them, her and space for one another. And it was enough. More than enough.
We laughed just as hard as we cried. We screamed into the ocean. We danced under the stars. We said things out loud we’d only ever journaled. We sat with hard questions. We didn’t always get answers – but we got clarity. Peace. Truth. And for the first time in a long time, we felt ourselves again.
This was only our second BuildHer Retreat, but it felt like we’d done this forever. Like we were just coming home to something we’ve always known was waiting for us. The home, the people, the conversations, it all felt familiar. Not because we rehearsed it or tried to control it. But because it was built on something real. And real doesn’t need polishing.
BuildHer is grounding. It’s stripping back the layers so you can tune in – to your life, your business, your dreams, your people, your voice, your truth. It’s for the woman who’s building something in the world and doesn’t want to lose herself in the process. It’s for the woman who’s already made it, but doesn’t feel anything when she looks in the mirror. It’s for the woman who’s done being everything for everyone, and wants to come back to her.
So no, it’s not easy to explain. You kind of have to feel it. But I’ll tell you this: every woman who has walked into BuildHer has walked out different. Lighter. Stronger. Seen. And so wildly proud of the woman she’s becoming.
BuildHer retreat reminds us that we are not alone.
These aren’t surface-level conversations. These are deep, heart-wrenching, soul-lifting moments. Women sat across from each other and shared the parts of their story that usually stay hidden. And in return, they were met with support, with grace, with understanding. It was a reminder that connection is the cure.
This retreat doesn’t just give tools for business – it gave and gives a reason to keep going.
And we’ll do it again. January 20–25, 2026. Same energy. New breakthroughs. Your people are already waiting for you.
What the Days Really Look Like at BuildHer Retreat
Picture this: The sun rising slowly over the hills of Costa Rica, casting golden light through the palm trees. The air is warm, the coffee is strong, and the energy? You can feel it before you even open your journal.
Each morning began with movement, sunrise yoga overlooking the ocean, toes grounded, hearts cracked open. We didn’t just move our bodies. We prepared our minds for what was ahead: real talk, real strategy, and the kind of growth that doesn’t happen in your comfort zone.
Breakfasts were crafted with intention, fuel for both the body and the work. Our private chef served meals that felt more like love letters than food. And then we gathered barefoot, fresh-faced, notebooks open.
We dove deep into what it actually takes to build a business – and a life – that doesn’t burn you out.
Topics we unraveled included:
- How to manage difficult clients without losing your soul (or your sanity)
- The power of “no” – and how boundaries are the real flex
- Mental health in the building industry, where burnout isn’t just common—it’s expected
- Brand building with depth: how to stand out without selling out
- Google Web Stories as a growth tool (Learn more in our c2s Playbook Studio course on mastering Web Stories)
- How to use Pinterest and SEO to not just get seen – but get hired (read our Pinterest strategy guide)
We didn’t just learn. We shared. These weren’t surface-level chats. These were gut-punch honest, soul-shifting conversations where women spoke truth, often for the first time.
Then came the afternoons. That’s when Costa Rica showed off, and so did the sisterhood.
We sailed on a private catamaran, jumped into the ocean, and toasted to the brave, bold, messy beauty of building something from the ground up. We rappelled down waterfalls, surfed waves like wild women, and floated in pools with drinks in hand and dreams on our lips.
Every moment felt like a movie, but it was real life. And somehow, the magic kept showing up at the table. Every lunch, every dinner—it wasn’t just about what was served, but who we were becoming in the process. Vulnerability was on the menu. So was laughter. So were ideas that turned into collaborations before dessert.
By day three, the shift was undeniable. Walls had come down. Partnerships were forming. Stories were being rewritten. Lives, quite literally, were changing.
And if you’re wondering whether you belong here, let me just say: if you’re building something, if you’ve ever questioned your worth, if you’re craving a space where you don’t have to pretend – you already do.
Want to experience it for yourself? Join us for BuildHer Retreat 2026 – limited spots, unlimited transformation.
Or dive deeper with our c2s Playbook Membership to access the exact tools and templates shared at the retreat.
The Why Behind BuildHer
Let’s be honest. This industry wasn’t built with women in mind. From job sites to boardrooms, we’re often the only woman in the room, carrying the weight of big visions, big responsibilities, and a level of pressure that no one really talks about. We’re expected to lead, design, manage, problem-solve, market, sell, and somehow still look like we have it all together.
That’s exactly why we created the BuildHer Retreat. Not as a break. Not as a vacation. But as a space that finally centers the women who are building, designing, managing, and showing up for this industry in every way possible.
BuildHer is where strategy meets soul. It’s where we step away from the chaos and come back to the why. It’s for women who are building something meaningful in the world and are ready to connect with others doing the same. Whether you’re running job sites, managing teams, designing homes, building your brand, or juggling all of it while raising a family—this retreat was built for you.
And it was founded by three women who walk that exact path every single day.
Meg Billings | Meg & Co. Homes | Boise, Idaho
Meg is the founder of Meg & Co. Homes, a woman-owned design and build firm based in Boise, Idaho. Known for her timeless aesthetic, intentional floor plans, and deep understanding of how families actually live, Meg leads every project with precision and heart. She brings a powerful calm to the chaos that comes with construction and is deeply rooted in creating homes that feel just as good as they look.
At BuildHer, Meg is the grounding force. Her leadership style is steady, thoughtful, and deeply connected. She brings clarity and structure to creative vision. Meg knows firsthand what it’s like to scale a custom home business as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, and she brings that wisdom into every session, conversation, and collaboration.
Ally Anderson | Integro Builders | Chicago, Illinois
Ally is the founder and principal of Integro Builders, a full-service construction company based in Chicago, Illinois. She’s a boots-on-the-ground leader in the field, managing custom residential and commercial projects with unmatched attention to detail, quality, and execution. “Integro” means integrity, and Ally doesn’t just preach it—she lives it.
With years of experience as a general contractor and business owner, Ally brings the backend brilliance to BuildHer. Her strengths lie in operations, logistics, and systems thinking, but what makes her unforgettable is the way she supports others. She leads with clarity, honesty, and the kind of mentorship that’s often missing in this space. At BuildHer, Ally is the one reminding you that boundaries are powerful, your business should support your life, and nothing changes until you protect your energy.
Morgan Molitor | construction2style | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Morgan is the co-founder of construction2style, a nationally recognized design and build firm based in Minnesota. Alongside her husband Jamie, she has spent over a decade transforming homes and sharing the process—from demo to design—while building a full-scale content and media company in the process. From remodeling historic homes in the Midwest to leading educational retreats and speaking on national stages, Morgan’s mission is to help people curate a home and business that truly lights them up.
Her zone of genius is storytelling, brand strategy, and showing other entrepreneurs how to grow without losing themselves. Through c2s Playbook Studio, she teaches others how to master marketing, content creation, systems, and growth inside the home industry. Morgan founded BuildHer after realizing there wasn’t a space where women in this industry could both get vulnerable and level up at the same time.
Together, we created BuildHer because we needed it.
We were tired of doing it all in isolation. Tired of pretending we had it together. Tired of waiting for someone else to make a space for us. So we made one. Not just for business growth, but for soul alignment. For storytelling. For breaking down and rebuilding. For honest conversations and real breakthroughs.
And in case you’re wondering if you belong, if this space is for you, the answer is HELL YES! If you’re building something, leading something, healing something, or dreaming about what’s next… we’ll be here, waiting for you in Costa Rica.
Join us for BuildHer Retreat 2026. We’re already counting down the days.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
You didn’t just sponsor an event – you sponsored life change. We are deeply grateful to the brands that chose to put their money where their values are, investing in women who are shaping this industry from the inside out.
Katlyn Slocum Design
Katlyn isn’t just a powerhouse designer—she’s a believer in community. She backed this event because she knows how lonely it can be to run a business, and she wanted to be part of the solution. Katlyn’s sponsorship went toward helping other women show up fully, and that impact will ripple far beyond this retreat.
Andersen Windows & Doors
A longtime leader in the home building industry, Andersen showed up for BuildHer because they believe in building with purpose. They didn’t just write a check—they supported real conversations and growth for women shaping the future of construction.
ROCKWOOL
ROCKWOOL continues to raise the bar not only in sustainable building products, but in sustainable community. Their investment in BuildHer was grounded in a shared belief: that people matter, and that strong businesses are built from the inside out.
Buildertrend
Buildertrend knows the tools are only as good as the people who use them. They sponsored an attendee this year, believing fully in the idea that access and opportunity can change the game for a woman-led business.
Huber
Huber stepped in not just as a brand, but as a believer. Their sponsorship made it possible for Kristen Dawson to attend, and that impact will go far beyond just one person. This is what investing in people looks like.
USG + The Build Show
Together, USG and The Build Show sponsored not just an attendee, but brought visibility and credibility to the work these women are doing. They understand that supporting women isn’t just nice — it’s smart business.
Beachside Interiors
Kali from Beachside Interiors didn’t hesitate to say yes when the opportunity came to support another woman in construction. Her belief in peer-to-peer investment is exactly the energy this retreat is built on.
LG
LG showed up for the BuildHer community by supporting through our Roadshow initiative. Their continued investment in innovation and community shows that tech and heart can go hand in hand.
Retrotec
Retrotec believes in empowering contractors with performance tools and also showing up for conversations that matter. Their support helped us carry momentum forward into future retreats and resources.
CompanyCam
This crew knows the power of storytelling—and not just in content, but in real life. CompanyCam invested in this event because they know what it means to support the people who are out here building it every day.
To the Attendees
You showed up fully. You opened up. You supported each other, and you made this retreat something sacred. You are what BuildHer is all about.
A few of the incredible humans, brands and comapnies who joined us this year:
Construction2style
Integro Builders
Meg & Co.
Chelsie Lopez Productions
Scalable Design Group
Sunrise Development Group
Idaho Home Design
Fern & Vine Design
Katlyn Slocum Design
IMW Group
Modern Capital Development
EKA Build
Glenbrook Remodeling
Cottonwood Millwork + Cabinets
Drywall Shorty
Stephanie Builds It
Westcom Plumbing & Roofing
Maypop Building Workshop
Beachside Interiors
You are the reason this space exists. You are the movement.
What’s Next
The 2026 BuildHer Retreat is already in motion and tickets are going fast. GRAB YOUR SPOT: January 20 – January 25, 2026.
This isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a lifelong community. It’s support that doesn’t end when the flight lands. It’s a space to be challenged, to be held, and to rise up. If you missed this year – join us in 2026. You deserve to be in the room.
Let’s keep building.
Morgan
Fun Photo Dump
There’s thousands more from where this came from …
