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<\/p>\nAs women face pressures from both their careers and home lives, St. Petersburg native Dr. Vikki Gaskin-Butler and Tampa-based Dr. Stephanie Reed believe self-care can make a world of difference.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They joined forces to develop Rest and Re-create, LLC in 2025. The organization provides experiences for women that support healing, sisterhood and empowerment. Currently, the two entrepreneurs are working on expanding the concept.<\/p>\n
Last month, Gaskin-Butler and Reed hosted the \u2018Virtual Taste of Rest and Re-Create\u2019 experience on Zoom. This complimentary event helped \u201chard launch\u201d the initiative.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rest and Re-create will hold its inaugural \u201cStillness by the Shore\u201d retreat at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor Oct. 9-11. Attendees will be able to participate in workshops and yoga sessions, among other activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Additionally, the team is planning on introducing a new six-week virtual series in September or October. It will cover topics such as practices that help nourish and sustain individuals and ways people can develop greater self-awareness.<\/p>\n
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Dr. Vikki Gaskin-Butler<\/p>\n
Gaskin-Butler, who now resides in North Carolina but maintains a home in St. Petersburg, is a psychologist. She has worked with clients for more than 30 years. She explained that she has always wanted to host retreats for women.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe name came from the idea that rest is something that is valuable,\u201d Gaskin-Butler said. \u201cWe deserve it and we deserve it simply because we exist. We don\u2019t have to earn it. We need to do it to take care of ourselves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She added that \u201cresting is necessary\u201d for people to create the lives they want. When individuals take the time they need to relax, Gaskin-Butler believes, \u201cwe experience all of our creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we rest, we allow ourselves the benefit of rediscovering who we are, who we\u2019re meant to be and we can fully live out our purpose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Retreats, both in person and virtual, are at the heart of the Rest and Re-create experience. Gaskin-Butler and Reed are interested in local, U.S. and international trips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have people complete interest forms to help us know a little bit about them and why they are choosing the retreat,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen we curate, we create a space that speaks directly to the experiences of the people we\u2019re working with.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The team also provides coaching in a \u201climited capacity.\u201d Additionally, the women host workshops outside of retreats.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main thing we focus on is curating healing spaces for Black women, women of color and all women,\u201d Gaskin-Butler said. \u201cWe also do contracts with corporations and nonprofits that are really concerned about the health and wellbeing of their employees.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rest and Re-create\u2019s efforts are designed to help people \u201cfind freedom in terms of forward movement in life and relationships.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know for a fact that our culture teaches us to really focus on doing and doing a lot,\u201d she added. \u201cThat is too much. I hope that we will influence people to embrace the model of rest so that it can then transform their lives and the lives of people with whom they connect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n