Our Story
CLIMB Conferences
We are Brad and Hope Mueller and CLIMB started like many of our ideas—ideation, discussion, evolution, and then discuss again. CLIMB Conferences was finally born when we scribbled notes into a 5 X 8” Mead notebook seven years ago. The entire business plan was mapped over several weeks. The mission, vision, structure, and even the initial logo was formed. After composition we moved the business plan to the back of our lives until we were nearing the end of our corporate careers, or for when it might be needed.
In the fall of 2022, Hope and Jennifer Pestikas, Founder and CEO of Brave Women at Work, were discussing their partnered business activities when Jennifer said, “I want to hold a retreat or a conference.”
“I have a business plan for that,” I exclaimed!
The CLIMB Conferences business plan, and the 5 X 8” papers were retrieved and within weeks of our conversation the first Women’s Retreat was constructed, and registration opened. We held our first Women’s Retreat in February 2023 in partnership with Brave Women at Work, and it was a wild success. The guests felt rested, recharged, loved, and cared for -- we had transformed our guests and ourselves -- and we knew we had to do it again.
With both Brad and me, still in our corporate roles, we knew we had to find a leader for CLIMB in order to fully stand it up as a business. Magically, Brad was touring the local resorts for the 2024 February Retreat when he met Magali Lamourelle. Magali was sourcing a location for a retreat she was putting together for a non-for-profit organization. Brad and Magali hit it off and when he returned home, he filled me in on the details knowing he had potentially found a leader for CLIMB.
We finalized the structure in the back half of 2023 at the same time Brad retired from corporate. We commenced planning the second annual Women’s Retreat- The Time is Now – Step Into Your Whole Self. We knew we needed additional help and Stephanie Joong raised her hand and masterfully handled the speakers and schedule for the February 2024 event. She is now a committed partner owning registration and scheduling management for CLIMB Conferences. Together we are scaling the organization and hosting three retreats in 2024 and five in 2025, with many more to come.
In between retreats, we have invested heavily in our property to optimize the retreat and guest experience. And we expect all of the upgraded areas to be completed by the scheduled November 2024 retreats.
The idea, the uttered aloud desires, and chance-meetings all occurred in divine timing. The universe came together to make these events possible. And we are honored to host and curate these events for our guests. We create unparalleled experiences designed to transform attendees’ belief and love in themselves. Join us and step into your whole self.
Transform Lives with Your Participation at a CLIMB Conference
The Hunter Street Charity is a non-profit corporation that supports children and families in need during critical junctures of their lives, with a special focus on providing emergency funds for home, transportation, college education, addiction services, and health or psychiatric care costs.
A portion of all proceeds from CLIMB Conferences event registrations will be donated to Hunter Street Charity. Your participation helps us continue to support children and families in need.