Ryan Wilson, Co-Founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, has been excited about unveiling plans for the organization’s new RETREAT location in Atlanta. The forward-thinking private membership club remains committed to providing its village with opportunities to thrive by ensuring they have access to the best facilities, resources, and networks, while fostering growth within the community.
AcknowledgeMINT: Over the past 9 years several people have had the privilege to experience The Gathering Spot, which is an amazing private membership club rooted in business, community and culture. At the top of the year you guys announced a new location and vibe you’re introducing this summer in Atlanta.
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Ryan Wilson: So this entire effort is called The RETREAT, and it’s the RETREAT for the entire Gathering Spot membership community. That’s very important because the clubs in Atlanta, D.C., and LA will remain The Gathering Spot clubs. Those will be home base for the community as is, but this is The RETREAT for that entire community, which now is in eight cities.
Similar to the other clubs, this space has a restaurant, bars, common areas, and office space. What definitely separates this location from the rest is the the pool, the cabanas, the rooftop, and the view of the city. This feels like it’s going to be a completely different experience.
This is the first time we’re bringing what could basically be understood as a different concept. If TGS is where we host a lot of events, this space is going to be really social. Also different than the current clubs, this location will have businesses where this will be their address. While businesses absolutely have the ability to meet at TGS, we haven’t had a ton of permanent office space. This will be that.
This is such a great idea to complement the business models that you already have in place. Kudos to you guys for always working to introduce the next best thing to the members.
We’re doing all of this together. This business is only possible because of the community, so I’m grateful that people are willing to go on the journey. But I genuinely have always had the aspiration that our community have access to the best stuff out there. Whether it’s the best programming or speakers or just whatever the best of a category is, and this is the best rooftop in Atlanta. So fortunately, we were able to do this. I think this summer will be special for folks.
“I try to spend as much time with people who know that whatever it is that we want to do is possible.”
Based on the accomplishments and feedback you’ve received since opening TGS in 2016, how does it feel to know that this business continues to exceed expectations?
I’ll say the most humbling part of this whole journey is being able to go from having an idea about something and having that idea exist out in the world. The movement from idea to execution to realization for me is the best part of the whole deal. Part of what I hope is demonstrated here is that, whatever it is people are building, that thing doesn’t have to exist in its smallest form. You can build big things, that’s what our journey has been about. We had an idea, kept pushing it, and fortunately have been able to continue to see that thing grow.
It has definitely grown. How do you stay encouraged as a Black owned business in a world where Black owned businesses are not valued the way that they should be.
I don’t spend a ton of time with people that advance that narrative. I try to spend as much time with people who know that whatever it is that we want to do is possible. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but it’s possible. I think that the math actually demonstrates that that is a true thing too. It’s hard work, it’s tough work. It’s been very, very difficult, but it’s 100 % possible. Part of what we’re trying to prove here every day is to live in that possibility, live in that reality. We’re trying to be as good of a steward to this assignment as possible, and this is what I think I’m supposed to be doing. I don’t feel dependent upon anybody except for my immediate community, and that community has never let me down.
