The Work VACAY Story

A Simple Pause.
A Big Shift.

The Work VACAY started with a simple but powerful realization: the best ideas and strategic breakthroughs don’t happen in the middle of back-to-back meetings or while drowning in daily tasks. They happen when you pause—when you step away from the noise and give yourself the space to think.

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Creating The Work VACAY.

The Work VACAY began as my personal experiment, born from my need for clarity, focus, and time away from the everyday demands of running a business. For nearly a decade, I’ve embraced the practice of 'escaping' to work on my business—usually in serene cabins nestled in the woods. These retreats provided me with the quiet and space I needed to reflect, strategize, and grow my boutique marketing agency.

Meet Karine

Inspiring Others Through Escape

At first, I shared these work vacays with a close friend. Over time, they evolved into team-building experiences, offering my team the same clarity and renewed sense of purpose. Whether in cozy forest cabins, trendy urban lofts, or the comfort of our studio, these escapes continued to be an essential part of how I operated and grew my business. The more I shared my experiences, the more curiosity and intrigue I sparked in my community. Colleagues and fellow entrepreneurs wanted to know: How could they create their own work vacays?

Sparking Curiosity and Building Community

This growing interest inspired me and my team to host our first Virtual VACAY. With nothing more than a landing page and a few thoughtfully crafted tools, I outlined what would later become The Work VACAY Framework—a step-by-step approach to help business owners escape and work on their business. It wasn’t long before this framework became the engine behind a thriving community and an essential tool for entrepreneurs seeking clarity in achieving their vision.

A Mission to Empower Entrepreneurs

At The Work VACAY, our mission is to help business owners take intentional breaks to stay aligned with their goals— preventing burnout and navigating seasons of overwhelm with clarity and focus. We believe that most of us already have the knowledge needed to take action— we just need the right space and a gentle push to uncover it.

Today, The Work VACAY isn’t just a framework—it’s an experience. Through thoughtful tools, virtual events, and an engaged community, we continue to inspire and empower entrepreneurs to step away, tune in, and take bold steps forward.

On behalf of our team, we're so glad you're here.

Founder of The Work VACAY

Bringing Clarity to the Conversation

We’re passionate about redefining success for business owners—one that prioritizes sustainable growth, strategic pauses, and mental well-being. Our Founder, Karine Parthenais, is always eager to engage in discussions, workshops, and speaking engagements that explore the power of intentional breaks, the link between clarity and success, and the importance of avoiding burnout. Whether it’s a talk, panel, podcast, or company retreat, we’re here to share insights on how proactive pauses can lead to smarter decisions, stronger leadership, and long-term business growth.

Meet Karine
Karine Parthenais speaking at a Shopify Talk
It’s time to escape

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