Michael Fish is a South African priest and public speaker whose path has led him from training Zulu novice priests in the wilds of Africa to the natural beauty of the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California. He is self-supporting, hosting spiritual retreats across the country and around the world. His themed retreats combine his unique, though-provoking perspective with amusing, often self-effacing stories. He ties the entire experience together by providing attendees with carefully curated supporting materials, including poetry, scripture, and photographs.
We met Michael after a multi-day retreat in Santa Barbara, California. At the time, the supporting materials he was distributing took the form of humble office folders filled with photocopies. We proposed a solution that would not only eliminate logistical challenges, but provide attendees with the materials in an uncomplicated and beautiful way.
We created numerous sets of spiral-bound journals, each corresponding to one of his themed retreats. The understated chipboard covers are screen printed by hand, reflecting the contemplative materials within. With generous margins and additional blank pages, attendees are encouraged to write annotations and reflections. The journals changed how people experienced the retreats and how they extended that experience into their lives afterward.
While Michael’s retreats are popular, being dependent solely on personal appearances was limiting his income potential. To address this, we started recording and marketing Michael’s live retreats as multi-disc CD sets and digital downloads. Thirteen of his recordings are now sold online and at retreat venues, greatly increasing his annual revenue.
We collaborated with Michael in early 2018 to create a monthly email newsletter to increase awareness of Michael’s ministry and engage with his supporters. What started as a list of 125 recipients rapidly expanded into a thriving audience, with roughly 2,000 current subscribers.
As Michael's popularity continues to grow, the potential for new opportunities grows exponentially. By identifying ways to maximize his offerings, we've helped Michael financially support himself as he shares his extraordinary vision with others.