Business networking, as it stands, is pretty flawed. Many traditional formats, like LinkedIn connections, corporate retreats, and those typical presentations, often come off as more of a chore than a real chance to connect.
Research from SalesWORKS shows that a surprising 73% of professionals actually dread networking events. These retreats can feel more like boot camps aimed at reinforcing a corporate culture that favors superficiality over genuine relationships.
This situation is especially troubling for entrepreneurs. Enter “The Art of Mondays,” a community founded by two young Australians, Jay Howitt (28) and Evan Bryce (31), looking to shake up the stale conference scene with something fresh and impactful.
Their initiative is geared towards “lifestyle founders”—individuals who run online businesses while placing emphasis on physical wellness and deep friendships rather than risking chronic burnout.
Their mantra is straightforward but quite revolutionary in today’s startup climate: live to work, not work to live. Both Howitt and Bryce manage their businesses remotely, embodying the lifestyle they promote.
“We believe it’s possible to build a thriving business without letting go of your passion for everyday life,” Bryce remarks. “Sure, there’s a time to hustle. But we aim to meld the business side with our personal philosophies.”
- Global outreach: They hold 10-12 day informal residencies in various countries like Japan, Alaska, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
- Camp Monday: Recently, they booked an entire village in France for 112 carefully chosen founders. The event attracted significant interest, with tickets vanishing in just minutes—one batch in only 71 seconds.
- Upcoming experiences: In September, they plan to take over a private island in Southeast Asia for an event called “Founder Residency: Castaway.”
Key Idea: Merging Summer Camp with Business Training
Rather than opting for a dull convention center, The Art of Mondays relocates its founders to inspiring rural villages and picturesque private islands. They’ve run numerous residencies, as Bryce prefers not to label them as retreats since they provide long-lasting value.
During their 10-12 day sessions, participants live, work, and play together. They aim to blend the naivety of childhood fun with serious business challenges, reshaping fleeting interactions into lasting memories and connections.
Bryce, who has experience leading youth camps, incorporates fun educational elements into his events, employing games and activities to help break the ice among high-achieving adults.
Howitt’s unconventional background mirrors this. “I think a lot of his entrepreneurial spirit comes from his upbringing,” says Bryce, recalling Howitt’s parents’ investment in alternative education. “He was homeschooled and traveled the U.S. in an RV for six months,” she adds. “They even played business games at family dinners.”
This mutual understanding of different learning approaches forms the foundation of their events. Bryce emphasizes that while business knowledge can be found anywhere, genuine belonging and the joyful nostalgia of a childhood summer camp experience is what sets them apart.
Over time, Howitt and Bryce have refined their approach for these gatherings. “The initial days focus on connectivity, creating vulnerabilities because that’s the quickest route to rapport,” Bryce explains. “The following days are meant for collaboration and creation, while the last stretch is about celebrating.”
Maintaining Exclusivity: A Thorough Selection Process
This isn’t just fanciful thinking; the demand they’ve seen has skyrocketed. In two short years, they’ve conducted roughly 30 founder sessions across six continents.
They received over 7,000 applications but only approved around 300 members—yielding a mere 3.8% acceptance rate. This exclusivity isn’t random; prospective members must meet specific revenue thresholds and run online businesses, with the ultimate criterion being alignment of values.
“Our goal isn’t to be the fastest-growing community or the highest-grossing,” Bryce asserts. “We’re not the flashy types who flaunt wealth. Instead, we support founders who might earn a lot but prioritize assisting their families or enjoying travel.” He describes their members as “quiet achievers.”
Ego takes a backseat here, with mindfulness encouraged at their gatherings.
“Being offline is now a luxury,” Bryce declares. “At our family-style meals, we ask everyone to leave their phones behind.” They emphasize taking a moment for gratitude together before dining.
Transforming Monday Mornings
The collaboration between Howitt and Bryce started from a podcast interview, deepening due to their mutual work ethic. Howitt is the creative visionary, while Bryce acts as the pragmatist. Together, their aim is to alleviate the isolation often felt by solopreneurs, offering virtual monthly discussions and an online community alongside live events.
As for their company name, it reflects their vision. For many, Monday symbolizes that dreaded return to work.
“Most individuals cringe at the thought of Mondays and the jobs they endure just to meet financial needs,” Bryce states. “The Art of Mondays is rooted in the belief that if you can create a life you’re eager to wake up to on Monday mornings, then you’ve hit the mark. How people perceive Mondays often mirrors their broader outlook on life. We want to reshape Mondays into the highlight of the week.”
