Southern Exposure

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

DV
Darcy Vasudev
  • Email address verified
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4 reviews
Sep 18 - 23, 2019
Group size: 5 - 20
Southern Exposure
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Darcy Vasudev
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified
4 reviews

Sep 18 - 23, 2019
Group size: 5 - 20

About this trip

Join the first event that addresses the needs of advanced and professional henna artists, in an inspiring off-the-grid environment.  


Who - Darcy Vasudev and Victoria Welch, two veteran innovators in the henna community, will be your facilitators on this journey.  Henna conferences are a wonderful way to improve your artistic skills, but this is the first opportunity that is specifically designed to give you the tools you need to elevate your brand and cultivate the type of customers YOU want. 


What - 5 nights and 4 full days of "roll-up-your-sleeves" immersion into the world of brand strategy, photographic technique, and killer content creation. Creative clinics will be held each day, culminating in a fully styled photoshoot of your henna masterpiece (at peak stain!) by a beautiful cenote.  


When - By late September, many henna artists are ready for a break from busy festivals and weddings. This will be the perfect time to kick your shoes off, reflect on the year, and plan the next chapter for your business .  Prevent end-of-season burn-out and recharge your creative fire, while adding essential skills to your tool-kit. 


Why - If you've attended henna conferences and found that a one hour marketing or photography class didn't really give you all of the tools you were hoping for, you can't afford to miss to this event. We have created an accelerated lesson plan to help you boost your brand, fine-tune your photography, and help you attract more of the clients you actually want (not just the ones that want you).  With today's extremely saturated henna market, it's essential to make your brand stand out within a rapidly evolving industry. 


How - All of our creative clinics will be held by a beautiful white-sand beach, in an intimate, collaborative group.  You will be supported, you will be heard,  and you will be creating new content that truly represents you and your brand. Best of all, you will have two on-site mentors working closely with you each step of the way.


Where - Tulum, Mexico is famous for its relaxed and creative off-the-grid lifestyle. Sometimes you have to unplug to recharge.  The environment is stunningly beautiful, with photo opportunities around every corner. Tulum is just 90 minutes south of the Cancun airport, with direct flights from all major cities.


About the venue

We have chosen a beautiful and rustic location right on the beach. 


The hotel is comprised of individual palapa-style buildings in a tropical setting with hammocks, bistro lights, and lots of charm.  While there is no AC, fans run 24/7.  This is an off-grid location, with electricity from 6:30pm-1:30am. WiFi is 24 hours. We recommend you charge all of your devices during those hours, and if you're a heavy user of your electronics, bring a back-up battery pack to top-up your devices as needed.  Mosquito nets are provided, but insect repellent is recommended.  A beach club with loungers is available for you to use (and sells food and drink all day), and there is also a wonderful restaurant open for dinner, wine, or cocktails in the evening. 


Room amenities: safe-box, cooler (buy your own ice and snacks if you wish), flashlight, candles, purified water.


Please note that devices such as hair-dryers, curling irons, electric kettles, or other devices that drain electricity rapidly may not be used. 

Who is it for?

This is a curated event for intermediate and professional (or aspiring professional) henna artists looking to boost their business branding game, develop and refine their photography skills,  add exceptional content to their portfolios, and develop a compelling cross-platform marketing plan.  If you've already attended henna conferences, and felt you didn't receive enough personal attention, this is your chance to get truly customized information, insider secrets, and valuable feedback from your hostesses.  We have taken great care in forming a schedule that will allow for a peak stain photoshoot in a very special location on the last day, while all of the days leading up will also have copious photo and video opportunities interspersed with our informative and fun creative clinics. We expect all participants to bring a real camera with manual settings. 

Who isn't it for?

Because this is a rustic and off-grid property, some amenities are not available. A basic level of physical fitness is required to access the property, which is situated completely on sand, and some rooms require climbing steep stairs.  Please note that electricity is only available for a few hours each day. There is no air-conditioning, and no in-room refrigerator.  If you have medication that requires refrigeration we will do our best to find an option for you, but we cannot be held responsible for damage, loss, or injury resulting.  Also remember, this is the tropics, and there are critters. Mosquito repellent is a must. Bugs, crabs, reptiles, and forest creatures are seen with frequency. Average high temperature is 87, and average low is 74.  We cannot predict the weather, but rain or even storms can occur.  We recommend you protect your investment in this opportunity with travel insurance.

Getting There

Tulum is about 1.5 hours south of Cancun International Airport. The least expensive way to get to Tulum is to catch the ADO bus (just outside the airport terminal, near Margaritaville) which is about $20. The ADO bus stops in Playa del Carmen, where you may need to transfer to a new bus to Tulum if it's not a direct bus. The bus ends in Tulum town, and from there you would take a taxi (about $5) to the beach.  

You can also take a taxi from Cancun airport, which can be about $125, however, we will make a spreadsheet of guest arrival times, so you can split the taxi with a friend or two. 

Please note that you do need a passport to enter and exit Mexico. If you will have less than 6 months left on your passport at the time of travel, we recommend getting a new passport. 

Cancellation Policy

Deposit and payments are non-refundable, however, in the event that you need to cancel, your ticket may be transferred to a new guest if we have a waiting list. We recommend that you protect your investment by purchasing travel insurance. 

What’s included

  • Accommodations
    5 nights
  • Welcome Happy Hour
    Complimentary cocktail (or mocktail) and snacks
  • Breakfast
    4 breakfasts
  • Lunch
    1 lunch
  • Henna Supplies
    Organic Rajasthani henna, essential oils, cone materials, sealant and tape
  • Floral Supplies
    Flowers, wire and tape for floral workshop
  • Excursions
    Transportation to and from excursions
  • Cenote entry
    Our final photoshoot location

What’s not included

  • Flights
  • Airport Transfer
  • Lunches and Dinners
    most lunches and all dinners/drinks

Available Packages

Private Sea View Room with Shared Bath

"Linda"/"Josefa upstairs" A great price on a charming private room with a sea view.  The shared bath is large and just steps away.

$1,500
Deposit: $500
BFFs Queen Bed, Private Bath & Balcony
$1,399
Deposit: $500
Shared King w/ Private Bath & Balcony

Please note, this is a SHARED bed. You must provide your own roommate (someone you know and trust). You and your roommate must both make a reservation.  Private ensuite bathroom, and beautiful balcony. 

$1,399
Deposit: $500
Private Queen Room with Bath and Seaview

"Celia Cruz"

$1,500
Deposit: $500
Private Room with Bath and Sea View

"Elo Suite"/"Elo Junior"/"Camarote"/"Josefa down" The world is your oyster! Your own private room and bathroom with beautiful view of the sea.  Queen bed. 

$1,700
Deposit: $500
Private Room with Shared Bath

"Valentina" This is a small room (mostly taken up by the bed) but it's right by the beach and has a large yard with a hammock. Great option for someone who wants privacy but is on a budget! The shared bath is just a short walk away.

$1,299
Deposit: $500
Private Room with Private Outdoor Shower

"Kimi"/"Escondida"

$1,600
Deposit: $500
Shared Room with Shared Bath

Room "TinTan". Great option for the budget traveler! Two single beds in a charming room steps from the beach.  The shared bathroom is a short walk away.  Your roommate will be selected for you. If no one else books this option, you'll have the room to yourself!  

$1,299
Deposit: $500
Shared Room with Private Bath & Terrace

"Princess" This room has two double beds and a jungle view terrace. Private bath. 

$1,399
Deposit: $500
Shared Room/Bath with Ocean Terrace
$1,199
Deposit: $500

Available options



Itinerary

Day 1
Arrivals, opening circle, and happy hour

Once we're checked into our rooms, we will make introductions, and enjoy local libations and snacks. Dinner will also be available (but not included) on the premises. Tomorrow we have a full day of clinics, so be sure to get a good night's rest!

Your Organizer


DV
Darcy Vasudev
4 reviews
Henna Lounge is an ICNHA.org certified natural henna company. Darcy has been offering bridal mehndi and destination events and workshops around the world.

Reviews

I really enjoyed my experience at Southern Exposure Tulum. Playa Esperanza was beautiful, and the staff was so kind. I learned a lot and had a wonderful time.
By Tasia I for Southern Exposure on Oct 19, 2019
I began this trip ready to learn from both Darcy and Victoria because I wanted to invest more into my henna career. What I did not know was that I would leave with a smile on my face and a heart that is full and happy! The whole experience was more than I expected and I will gladly recommend this to other artists who are looking for an experience that will ignite that determination within them. Thank you!
By Nadia E for Southern Exposure on Oct 06, 2019
What a wonderful experience full of fantastic food and photos and incredible memories!
By Samantha M for Southern Exposure on Oct 05, 2019
Amazing adventure in paradise, I learned a lot and it really unleashed my own capabilities and gave me the power to accomplish many things in the future. Thank you for the boost and can't wait to hear the details about the next retreat !!!
By Amandine C for Southern Exposure on Oct 02, 2019