From August 28th-31st, 2023, MunaLuchi Bride began an exciting new chapter for couples in business by hosting its first Muna Couples Retreat at Sandals Royal Curaçao!
Sparked by MunaLuchi’s very own husband and wife team, Jackie and Chike Nwobu, the pair set out to create a high-level mastermind experience for couples that not only provides education to elevate their businesses but also advice on how to nurture healthy, happy, and long-lasting romantic partnerships.
For 20 couples, the resulting 3-day retreat was an intimate event with ample learning opportunities, exploration, and much-needed rejuvenation.
On Wednesday, August 30th, couples arrived at the Arawalk Ballroom for their third and final day of enriching speaker presentations.
Franchise Solutions Banker Richard Snow started sessions off strong with a masterclass on how to gain access to financing and capital, and how to build generational wealth through franchising.
Entrepreneur power couple Lamar and Ronnie Tyler followed with an informative presentation on “Mastering the Growth Machine Engine” with transformative strategies for more traffic, sales, and profit.
Special guests included one of our favorite MunaLuchi cover couples, Woody and Amani Randall, who first met (and married!) on Season 11 of the popular TV show Married At First Sight. With plans in the works to start their own fashion lines, the couple attended to gain valuable business knowledge and also to enjoy a relaxing Baby Moon before welcoming Baby Randall #2!
After our final speaker presentations, Trene’ Forbes Photography offered attendees professional headshots and romantic beach-side photo ops for couples.
An afternoon of free time to explore and enjoy the resort followed, with couples partaking in watersports, lounging by the pool, getting massages, grabbing lunch at one of Sandals Royal Curaçao’s many all-inclusive dining options, or simply enjoying alone time with their partners.
In the evening, guests reconvened for a Farewell Dinner Gala under the stars.
Beautifully designed by Larger Than Life Events with set-up assistance from Events DownPat, Ogo Nwobu-Nnebe, and the Sandals Resort Team, an elegant tropical garden-themed dining experience awaited them.
In partnership with the Curaçao Tourism Board, the retreat would not be possible without MunaLuchi’s Director of Events, Tiffany Chalk, and design expertise by Atosha Barboza Bennett of Larger Than Life Events. Behind the lens, Photographer Trene’ Forbes and Videographer Derek Patterson expertly captured all the details.
To everyone who helped make our first Muna Couples Retreat a success, we thank you!
Keep reading below for more details from our incredible speaker presentations (trust me, you’re going to want to take notes!) and photos from our beautiful Farewell Dinner Gala and afterparty with DJ Exeqtive!
If you missed our first Muna Couples Retreat recap, click here to read part one (featuring talks by Chike and Jackie Nwobu, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Calvin Roberson).
Click here to add your name to our 2024 interest form for next year’s Muna Couples Retreat!
- Event: Muna Couples Retreat
- Date(s) of Event: August 28th-31st, 2023
- Location: Sandals Royal Curaçao
Day 2 of General Sessions:
Karli Harvey Raymond opened general sessions in style!
Woody & Amani Randall from Married At First Sight Season 11 were in the audience!
Richard Snow:
The franchising, finance, and capital guru…
Diversity in franchising matters. I sit in rooms that typically don’t look like this. I ask myself why. And I think how can we get there? It’s events like [the Muna Couples Retreat] making this a reality.
– Richard Snow
Richard Snow took the stage to talk all about how to gain access to finances, capital for your business, and building generational wealth through franchising. From seasoned couples in business to newbies entering entrepreneurship, this kind of conversation is extremely important.
He began his presentation with a call and response with the audience chanting three important phrases: “Power couple,” “Win all day,” and “Access Capital.”
These three topics resonated with the crowd. After all, being successful business owners and successful life partners is the ultimate goal. With his wife and business partner, Denise, in the audience supporting him, the pair navigate both worlds well.
Together, Richard and Denise created their own power couple business tips:
- Define your roles and responsibilities.
- Create an ownership structure – set yourself up and protect yourself.
- Establish a joint business structure/plan – look at your individual strengths and plan together.
- Buy a franchise you’re passionate about – we are passionate about education, so we started a franchise in that.
Unfortunately, the Black Community faces disproportionate disadvantages in the finance and franchising industry.
For one, Richard explained, “The Black Community is battling a 200-year gap in generational wealth. Essentially, we don’t have access, but we’re looking to change that.”
“Only 8% of the franchising industry is the Black Community.”
According to Richard, the way to change this narrative is by maintaining a winning mindset, engaging with the right audience, understanding the ins and outs of franchising, and being passionate about whatever you invest in.
“The goal is to engage with the next generation of entrepreneurs,” he stated. “It’s a must that we win. Think national in everything you do. Scaling is so important.”
Q&A with Richard Snow:
How do you franchise your company?
- Evaluate what makes your business unique – what are 3 things that make you unique that can’t be replicated?
- Develop a plan – establish your market.
- Document your business’s standard operating procedures.
- Comply with legal requirements – the average franchiser makes 5% of gross sales.
What’s the minimum financial requirement to start a franchise?
To be safe, Richard advised couples need at least $50k to $100k to actually start a franchise. However, he warned couples “You cannot project loss,” and further explained that franchisees should only take 5-10% out of their savings. The franchisee should also put 10% cash down, or 20% if real estate is invested.
The franchisee’s total investment should cover the cost of:
- Registering and filing a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) – “The franchise disclosure document (FDD) is a legal disclosure document that must be given to individuals interested in buying a U.S. franchise as part of the pre-sale due diligence process. The document contains information essential to potential franchisees about to make a significant investment.” (Source: Investopedia)
- Filing for compliance – “The process and practice of selling franchises in compliance with federal and state franchise laws, rules and regulations.” (Source: Franchise Compliance Guide)
- Conditions: SBA loans; the prime rate is 11.5% for an SBA loan. (Find out more on SBA Loans here).
- Setting up your team – This can include an accountant, lawyer, consultant, real estate experts, website developers, marketing experts, and others.
- Other starting costs – Uniforms, training, software, supplies, etc.
How do you get people to buy in?
At this question, Richard replied with a question: “Would you invest in yourself?”
Invest in things that you like (education, home, food, etc.) – these are industries where success is quantified. Then, find people to sell your brand for you. Hire a sales rep who’s passionate about your brand and your vision.
– Richard Snow
Is there anything against replicating other businesses?
Surprisingly, in franchising, Richard noted that replication is not a bad thing; however, it’s important to “Add a competitive advantage to the replication.”
How about regional success?
Richard explained that there are certain franchise-friendly states such as Texas, Georgia, and the DMV area. However, depending on how you set up your franchise, it might not matter.
For instance, a key franchising strategy to consider is to think about “anchors”.
“An example of an anchor is a spa,” he shared. “They are attached to hotels, resorts, and gyms… partnering with these stores is a strategy that can help your business.”
What does a business want to do? It wants to grow. Every great business scales.
– Richard Snow
Ronnie & Lamar Tyler:
Mastering the Growth Machine Engine: Transformative Strategies for More Traffic and Sales Profit…
Having your partner as a business partner gives you an exponential advantage.
– Ronnie Tyler (Traffic Sales and Profit)
Walking on stage, Ronnie Tyler said it best: “Having your partner as your business partner is an exponential advantage.” To her credit, she and her husband, Lamar Tyler, are a top example of a thriving entrepreneur-power couple!
The dynamic husband and wife team began their entrepreneurial journey when they started their “Black and Married with Kids” blog. The blog reached millions and provided insightful education, advice, and resources for folks navigating marriage and parenthood.
Today, after selling the blog to highly capable hands last year, the couple has created a new company: Traffic, Sales, and Profit. The organization is a thriving community of ambitious people with a shared passion for Black empowerment.
Together, they help train, educate, and inspire Black entrepreneurs everywhere and help them reach their first 6-figures, 7-figures, and beyond.
In helping fellow business owners find success, Lamar explained, “We operate from a position of lack.”
A position of lack might include a lack of traffic.
Lamar shares, “You might have a great product, but you need to build it.”
So, how does one build their business?
According to Ronnie and Lamar, there are 3 different ways to build sales, increase traffic, and elevate profit:
- Create organic content
- Buy it.
- Borrow it.
Each of these has its own rate of return; however, the cheapest and fastest way to get more traffic and money for your business is to borrow it. Borrowing includes affiliate partnerships, content partners, and online and offline partners.
While “borrowing” may be business owners’ best bet for quick results, Ronnie advised couples to proceed with caution and do their research to ensure a partnership is beneficial for their company.
She said, “Always ask yourself, what’s in it for me? Because that matters.”
A critical part in this process is determining who your clients are.
Ronnie advised business owners to think about the Psychographic data (how people think) and contemplate “What’s the synergy between them and your audience?”
Lamar added, “Offer [your clients] value upfront. Put yourself out in front of people. Understand your audience and help them understand you.”
As a former Project Manager for IBM, Ronnie stressed the importance of hiring and training quality management.
Hiring a project manager is so important. This will help people accomplish their goals. Everything is a project.
– Ronnie Tyler
Elaborating on the importance of creating a consistent marketing strategy backed by careful planning, consistency, and task-management delegation, Ronnie concluded all of these things can help companies that are struggling with a lack of sales.
How can you double your growth?
Ronnie shared how creating consistent lead generations directed toward one’s intended audience is crucial in building more sales. She also advised folks to “eliminate follow-up failure through automation” and to always check up on pending proposals, invoices, etc.
A lack of a team is another important issue businesses face.
Ronnie pointed out, “If you’re not hiring leaders early and not firing fast enough, that’s a problem. Make sure people are the right fit for your company.”
To ensure potential employees are a good match, she recommended companies do check-ins at 90-120 days in.
But how do you determine if someone is a good fit for your company?
For Lamar and Ronnie, the “right fit” equals determination.
Thinking back to his own experiences, Lamar recalled a seminar for business owners hosted by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. The luxurious multinational hotel made the following statement on hiring employees: “We don’t hire, we select.”
That statement stuck with Lamar and today, in their own recruiting process, Lamar shared: “We select them, we want them to select us.”
As a business owner, The choice to build a team at all is incredibly important.
Lamar revealed that many Black Businesses tend to hinder their own growth by choosing to forge ahead in business solo.
9 out of 10 Black Businesses are solo-entrepreneurship. This mindset can limit growth.
– Lamar Tyler
He encouraged folks to break beyond this limiting mindset and instead allow their business to reach (and exceed) its full potential by working with the right people.
Being co-owners in any capacity (with or without marriage involved!) has its challenges, but it can be done.
Based on their own experiences in business together, Ronnie and Lamar shared helpful tips they’ve found useful while running their company.
Here is a round-up of their key takeaways for couples in business:
- Be Formal and Consistent:
- Set deadlines and intentions.
- Even as a couple in business, treat it as a business.
- Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses as a Couple:
- Have open and honest conversations about those strengths and weaknesses.
- Create Specific Goals:
- Discuss what you’re going to do each quarter.
- Spend More Time Strategically Planning:
- You’re going to get more done and make more money.
- Conduct Quarterly Follow-ups:
- Re-evaluate your mission, vision, core values, and top things you want to accomplish.
- Establish a 10-year vision:
- Think about where you and your partner want your business to be and make goals, together, to get there.
- Sell the Vision: The first place starts with selling that vision to your partner.
- Create a Team of Leaders to Support that Vision:
- We often bring on technicians instead of leaders. Leaders create accountability and allocate responsibility, which equals better customer service, retention, etc.
Have a shared goal. Identify the level of risk and how much are you going to invest in money and time, and be passionate about that goal, together.
– Lamar Tyler
Following general sessions, Trene’ Forbes worked her photo magic!
Attendees had the opportunity to update their professional headshots…
… and couples posed for beautiful beach-side photos on Sandal’s famous heart-shaped lounge chairs!
Farewell Dinner Gala:
Walking into the Sandals Royal Curacao Welcome Garden, guests arrived in festive garden cocktail attire and were greeted by the Bridgerton-inspired tunes of a live violinist. String lights, beautiful decor, and florals designed by Larger Than Life Events created an elegant tropical garden oasis for the evening.
Floral details…
A Dinner for Kings & Queens…
While couples connected and reminisced on their retreat experience, they were served a delicious 3-course meal.
Dinner began with a deconstructed Caesar salad made with romaine hearts, candied pecans, sundried tomatoes, and garlic crostini topped with Caesar dressing.
A choice of entrees including a roasted rack of lamb, chargrilled swordfish, or a vegetarian dish was served before a decadent chocolate mousse cake arrived (my favorite part!) with raspberry coulis and brandy snaps.
Closing words from Jackie & Chike Nwobu…
We need to come together, support one another, because without us working together… what are we going to pass on to our children? We want to build a legacy. I know every one of you here wants to build a legacy for your children. Starting a business is very hard. Running a business is even harder. But if we do it togeher, we will make it brighter for the next generation.”
– Chike Nwobu
Desserts and dancing followed at Club Sandals…
DJ Exeqtive brought the vibes!
What I really took away from this trip was learning how to build a relationship. Networking is one thing, but relationships last a long time.
– DJ Exeqtive (Exeqtive Entertainment)
Getting the party started…
This retreat has been very enlightening. The speakers and presenters were so inspirational. We learned a lot! We must say, kudos to Jackie and Chike for doing an AMAZING job!
– Wendy Roberson
This has been an awesome retreat. First of all, the hospitality at the Sandals Royal Curaçao has been incredible. We also made some great connections and learned alot that we can implement into our own business. We’re so happy to be a part of the MunaLuchi Family!
– Calvin Roberson (a.k.a. “Pastor Cal”)
A soul train line we’ll never forget!
Looking to attend next year’s Muna Couples Retreat?
Click here for more information.
Vendor Team:
- Planning: Tiffany Chalk Events
- Design: Larger Than Life Events
- Photographer: Trene’ Forbes Photography
- Videographer: Derek Patterson
- Emcee: Karli Harvey Raymond
- MUA: Felicia Graham Beauty
- Hair Stylist: Tinika Sadiku
- Rentals: Inspiracion Curacao + Event Services
- Entertainment: DJ Exeqtive
- Flowers: FMI Farms
- Venue: Sandals Royal Curaçao
- Gift boxes: Black Girl Sunscreen
Speakers:
- Jackie & Chike Nwobu
- Keisha Lance Bottoms & Derek Bottoms
- Calvin Roberson (a.k.a Pastor Cal) & Wendy Roberson
- Richard Snow
- Lamar and Ronnie Tyler
Attendees & Businesses:
- Karli Harvey Raymond & Benjamin Raymond: Insurance Agency Owners & Entrepreneurs
- Woody & Amani Randall: The Randall Way
- Patrice Nephew: Events DownPat
- LeDasha Jackson & Timmy Johnson: The Bridal Bunny
- Eronmwon & Louis Balogun: LFB and Associates
- Rolanda Hardy & Craig Phipps: Vision into Reality Events
- Gregory & Tamuel Cowart: RW Events & Luxmore Grande Estate
- Nnamdi & Gozie Ebere: Jac-Ennedy International, Blak-X, & NaMO Worldwide
- Abdul Nwobu & Henrietta Udeh
- Ogo Nwobu-Nnebe & Ike Nnebe
- Chaianta & Shannon Chatman: Chatmans Complete Home Resources, Heavenly Visions Events, and Chatmans Complete Quality Management
- Natasha Stovall-Rolle & Shane Rolle: Venom Productions, S & N Security, Too Blessed To Be Stressed Catering, LLC, N.LaShelle Events, The Grand Ballroom, LLC, & Grand Occasions, LLC.
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