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About Us
A Grass-Roots Movement to Develop a Retreat Center of Our Own
At The Northwest Nest, every gathering adds something—to our lives, our connections, and our collective growth. Founded by Maddy Stutz and Lily Collins, we're building a community-centered retreat space from the ground up, with the vision of becoming a member-owned cooperative. We produce retreats, workshops, and community events, powered by the skills and passions of the people who show up. Some bring their craft, some offer their hands, some simply take part — but all contribute to the energy that makes The Nest what it is. As we grow, we're committed to sharing the rewards, from building sustainable livelihoods for our community to deepening the relationships that form with every gathering.
Our Founding Story
The Northwest Nest was founded by Maddy Stutz and Lily Collins because we wanted what felt impossible to have on our own: a lakeside retreat we could actually call ours. Not a vacation rental. Not someone else's Airbnb. A place where we belonged—where we could show up whenever we needed to breathe, create, or simply exist among people who get it.
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But who can afford their own 14-bedroom lakeside mansion? And honestly, who needs one all to themselves? We realized the answer wasn't waiting until we had enough capital alone—it was building it together. The Northwest Nest is our version of a country club, minus the stuffiness and gatekeeping. It's a space we're creating collectively so we can all have a piece of something extraordinary: a sanctuary by the water where you're not a guest, you're home.
The Future Ahead
As we grow toward becoming a member-owned cooperative, every person who contributes—whether through membership, skills, or simply showing up—becomes part of what makes this place thrive. And yes, that also means if you want to host your own retreat or workshop here, you've got the infrastructure and community to make it happen. But at its core? This is about building something we could never access alone—and sharing it with people who value it just as much as we do.
