A rich and informative deep dive PDF full of packing lists, preparation prompts and setting the scene for our time together.
Meaningful gifts for people you care about made by people we care about!
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Welcome to Nurture! We are so happy that you’re here. We cannot wait to retreat with you very soon.
To get you started on your Nurture journey, you can explore our retreat hub below to meet your co-Nurturers, find all the retreat information that you need in one spot, and stay connected with us leading up to our retreat together.
Get to know the facilitation team for our retreat and click through to follow them.
she/her | @nurtureretreats
I’m Sonja, founder of Nurture, ardent lover of butter, candlelight and singing in harmony. Card carrying INFJ/Manifesting Generator. A ‘food storyteller’ at heart, I create custom menus and food experiences using food as a tool for connection and can’t wait to connect with all of you!
This will be Nurture’s 9th year running and it’s always an honour to continue to add new members to the incredible collection of kindred spirits who make up this community.
she/her | @stephpellett
Hi, I’m Steph. Aside from intentionally infusing all Nurture systems and retreat logistics with love, I am a creative business coach and educator. My goal is to make your business more sustainable, more expansive, and ultimately more FUN for you by streamlining your systems, supporting your business strategy, and helping you prioritize your self-care.
I am the creator of The Profoundery, an online business community full of accountability, resources & connection for thoughtful, values-based entrepreneurs. I’ve enjoyed hosting on Learn With Shopify and have taught classes in partnership with Creative Mornings and Make Lemonade. My podcast, Slowpreneur: Business without the Busy, aims to spark conversations about new ways of living and working that support and honour our humanity. In my spare time, you can find me reading romance novels and spending with my puppy (preferably simultaneously).
she/her | @sincerelyimage
Hi!! I’m Ricky, second generation photographer and the main tog behind Sincerely Image, which I officially started in 2014, but I’ve been taking photos since I was a little kid. I was born and raised in Toronto but my cultural background is Filipino. I remember thinking as a kid, why I’d be treated differently and didn’t realize back then that it had to do with the colour of my skin. Part of my vision for Sincerely Image is to better represent all women of colour and mothers in their real and raw moments. I’m a mother myself. First pregnancy at 35 and I gave birth to identical twin girls! I’m generally a quiet person (this was something I used to resent) but now, I love my quiet nature and enjoy quiet time more than ever. I’m so looking forward to this experience with you all!
she/her | @nimrabandukwala.art
Hi, I’m Nimra, a community-engaged visual artist and maker of crafts. I grew up in Karachi and currently live on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Attawandaron peoples, in Cambridge Ontario.
I come from a lineage of women who crafted with what they had, appreciated and grew plants, and valued the lives and stories of materials. I create paints, dyes, and sculptural pieces with plants, rocks, and shells while exploring our complex relationships with these materials and have facilitated community-engaged workshops with folks of all ages and abilities. I co-lead Reth aur Reghistan with my sister Manahil, a multidisciplinary arts project that engages with folklore from Sindh through artmaking and poetry (sculpturalstorytelling.com) and am the co-author of Women Wide Awake: Sculptures, Stories & Poems From Sindhi Folklore (Mawenzi House Publishers 2023).
she/her | @snacksceramics | @myorgasmiclife
Hi, I’m Katrina, an artist, storyteller and pleasure activist. Creative practice gives us the opportunity to express, transform and transmute. When we do this in community, we connect beyond the mind and into the tender corners of the heart. I’m so excited to be guiding participants through a multi sensory practice of transforming earth into a sacred object for you to cherish forever.
she/her | @glass.full
I’m Julia, a celebrant and ritual artisan. I create space for deep feelers to be witnessed through intentional reflection, rituals, ceremony, and gatherings.
We’re so excited to introduce you to your fellow retreaters! Watch this space as new folks join to get to know them before the retreat.
she/her | @sundayscompany
Hi, I’m Melissa! Virgo/Scorpio/Scorpio (that’s an intense combo).
ADHD to the max … add that to my astrology signs …
… but there’s more … I’m also Italian.
So if the universe were to create the poster child for someone that is hard to “get”, I’m her.
It’s all very confusing, but I’m harmless. You’ll see.
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Originally from Toronto, but escaped to support my husband in fulfilling his dream of working with dogs. We moved to Trent Hills (1.5 hrs northeast of T.O). We have rescued and adopted over 20 dogs in that time. We currently have 12 dogs, 3 cats and 0 human children (by choice). It’s been 11 years. In that time, I had a dream and am also living it … still pinching myself every day.
Sunday’s Company was launched in 2017, and has had many iterations. I am currently in my favourite version of it. It started as making herbal body care products, and organically transformed into me finding out about me and my purpose, and what makes me tick. It’s still an apothecary, but it’s more about telling stories and creating experiences through the senses, by way of the plant world. I am addicted to my work in a way that fulfils me to my core. I consider myself lucky to have been able to find this … create this for myself.
My studio/shop is located in Warkworth: a village of 700 people. A village that really is just one street… but it’s built on passion and grit. You must visit if you get the chance.
When I’m not at home, being cozy, I’m either with my loud Italian family, or with my friends-who-are-family (who all also happen to be business owners on Main St). When “they” talk about the importance of female friendship in adulthood, this is why. They are who I can be 100% myself, without any inhibitions. They are my safe place.
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What else?
I live for experiences.
Creating them. Being a part of them.
It’s what fuels me.
It’s what balances work and everyday life.
It’s what keeps me going, and sparks my best ideas.
It’s what quiets my noisy brain.
This brings me to why I’m excited to be a guest at Nurture.
Every year, it’s important for me to plan a getaway of some kind, every season (for the reasons mentioned above). This is my autumn getaway.
Years ago (2018?), I facilitated a workshop here, and it feels good to be coming back as a guest. This particular version of Nurture just felt right, and my intuition is usually right, so I have a good feeling about this.
I’m going to stop now. Sonja specifically said to make this short and casual, and I’ve been anything but. See you all soon!
she/her | @amyjruttan
Hello! My name is Amy and I’m a 35 year old, mom of two. I work with Agatha at a design studio in Muskoka.
I’ve spent most of my life being very rational and task focused and am now trying to slow down and explore my creative side. Running from one thing to the next is beginning to catch up with me and my focus for the next while is to see where I can bring more flow and ease into my life. I am very excited to have this retreat be a part of that process.
I love reading and am currently reading Sapiens. The author is such a wonderful storyteller and, as I have a Masters in Art History, reading about history and peoples of our past is my favourite!
Very much looking forward to meeting everyone!
she/her | @agathamcleandesign
Hi! I’m Agatha, I own a design firm and will be here this weekend with my friend Amy who will be joining me in becoming a partner in the company. I’m very excited to spend time with her this weekend and celebrate this new chapter in our lives. Our company is very creative and there’s no limit to creativity. I am looking forward to making new friends, relaxing and exploring creatively.
she/her | @smallonewithcats
I am a retired homeschool mom who is in the process of growing who I am going to be in this next phase of my life. I love getting out into the woods, canoeing, hanging out anywhere I can see or be beside water, singing, musicals, hugging my 2 two cats (who don’t hug back!), journaling outside in the morning sun (or by candlelight anytime) and learning about all things spiritual.
I love learning new things and meeting new people. I find everyone has something unique to be enjoyed and I always look forward to conversation.
she/her | @pearlzofmich
I’m Michelle. I love dogs, good food, and curling up with a great book. I’m excited to attend to reconnect with my creative side, and myself (outside of work and family).
she/her | @emiliadoesstuff
I’m someone who does too much but can’t stop and feels when I do. I light up when I see others light up because I’ve inspired them to do something.
I’m someone who’s learning boundaries with my own time, learning to enjoy the moments in between and just experiencing life and love every single day and then being grateful and hoping our environment doesn’t turn into a warzone one day.
I’m leaning into my Projector status and leading my website agency team at the Launch It Co to consistent success and leading my “day job” at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce to new awesome heights.
she/her | @urealtorteam
Hi. I am Jen. I am 52 years old, never married or had kids. However, I am a fur mom of Pip, the mini golden doodle and P/T fur mom of Bentley , the yellow lab and Juno, the german shepherd. (Long story). I am a FABULOUS Aunt to my Nephews.
I always thought of my self as an ARTIST ….an “Artist without a medium”. It was a knitting class at MICHAELS that started my artistic adventure. As time goes by, I discovered other art forms (that is classified as “crafts”– don’t get me started on that) and great people. I found my People!!
Here is everything you need to know to have the best possible retreat experience!
A rich and informative deep dive PDF full of packing lists, preparation prompts and setting the scene for our time together.
A link to our retreat venue Google Map for ease of planning your arrival. Need a ride? Reach out and we’ll try to set you up with a fellow attendee.
Have questions in the meantime, or something you forgot to include on your intake form? Any way we can support you? Drop us a line here.