Her career as a drama/psychotherapist is what inspired Mary Lou Atkinson to open the doors of Pelee Island Workshops and Retreats eight years ago, and her passion for working with women coupled with her ability to recognize their personal empowerment is what brought Total Recall, an annual weekend for women, to life one year after that.
Pelee Island Workshops and Retreats is an island business that was created to provide individuals, couples, families, and groups with relaxing and restorative "time away" and has been successful in doing just that! And in its seven year run, their major annual event, Total Recall, has drawn close to 1,000 women to the Island's shores to gather and celebrate their intuition, their resourcefulness, and their extraordinary womanly powers.
As many entrepreneurial-minded people, Mary Lou often found it difficult to follow the guidelines of others and wanted to work on her own. But this wonderful idea of bringing her vision to life didn't come without challenges - no greatness ever does. Through her journey to establishing Pelee Island Workshops and Retreats, Mary Lou has had to overcome her fears - of money and of success - and she has had to work hard to gain the support of her community, all while balancing her responsibilities as a wife and as a mother.
Staying focused and working through each of these challenges has increased her confidence in her ability to generate an income and has helped her overcome her fear of taking financial risks. She has also learned two very important lessons along the way: how to ask for help and how to delegate.
She now employs one person, her assistant, and together they benefit their community immeasurably - through creating jobs and enhancing the promotion of Pelee Island and its tourism industry - while providing a much needed "break" from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for those who visit.
Mary Lou is also the Co-Founder of Pelee Art Works and of Pelee Island Summer Theatre.
Although there are struggles and challenges that will always present themselves along the journey of life, no matter what you're striving to accomplish, Mary Lou knows that she's successful because her outer life mirrors her inner life. "If I'm breathing deeply, walking solidly, skipping occasionally and smiling a lot, I'm successful!" is what she says and how she lives.
Looking back, the only things that she would have done differently are that she would have hired a nanny, a housekeeper, a massage therapist, and a personal buyer, but other than that, she has no regrets. Her words of wisdom to other women who are thinking about starting their own business are to walk with your fear, ask for help, massage your gut, and always know that if you can dream it, you can do it!
Join Mary Lou and other wonderful, motivated women for Total Recall VII from June 20th to 22nd and open your eyes, spirit, and body to the gifts that fill your life! This year's Total Recall will be focusing on "abundance" and Veronica Tennant - Prima Ballerina, Author, Producer-Director - will be speaking at the Gala Dinner. Realize your worth and build friendships, and then return home to share the wealth!
To find out more about Pelee Island Workshops and Retreats or Total Recall, please visit them online at www.peleeislandretreats.com. Find out for yourself what all the excitement is about!
