20 Remote Founders Walk Into a Resort…

Our first DC BLACK event of the year took place March 1-3 in Phuket, Thailand—our first ever DC BLACK-only event in Asia. 

The goal of every DC BLACK event is to put 7-figure founders together and create a meeting of high-caliber minds and perspectives, so you can get clarity on challenges and opportunities in your business.

The Phuket event was a mix of valuable face-to-face time, conversations targeted toward business and personal goals, and high-adrenaline activities to test our physical and mental limits.

If your business is at or above the 7-figure mark (or you’ve had a successful exit) and you want to get in the room with other high-level founders for elevated conversations and connections, apply to join DC BLACK here.

The Venue: Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach

The Marriott is easily one of the nicest venues we’ve hosted an event at.

This five-star resort rests on the pristine sands of the secluded Tri-Trang Beach, surrounded by tropical foliage and lush mountains. It’s also not far from Patong Beach's entertainment hub. Attendees took advantage of the beach and even had some mastermind discussions in the ocean minutes to midnight.

Fitness and wellness are important to DC BLACK members, and one reason we picked this resort was because of its 24-hour fitness center. There are three pools and lounge areas to hang out and keep the conversations going between activities, plus nine restaurants and a day spa. The Marriott is easily one of the nicest venues we’ve hosted an event at.

Day 1 | Saturday, March 1: Adventure

Morning yoga, ATVing and ziplining in the forests of Phuket, and an opening dinner with mixer activities to break the ice

The aim of our first day was to raise the energy, break the ice, and kick off the event strong.

We started the day with a relaxing yoga session on the beach and got fueled for the day with breakfast at the Marriott. Then we got geared up for an exhilarating ATV ride and Zipline adventure, giving attendees a view of Phuket like they’ve never seen it before.  

These adrenaline-filled activities, including a giant canopy swing, encouraged attendees to get out of their comfort zones and face some fears, setting the tone for a solid weekend of business and personal breakthroughs.

After lunch back at the hotel and some time to unwind after all that exploring, we had our official opening party on the Marriott Beach—the perfect setting to welcome everyone to the event. There was plenty of excellent food and drink (with lots of protein, which attendees were happy about), and we participated in a mixer activity to dive into deep conversations with each other.

“The parts of Day 1 that I participated in were great, and I heard great feedback from others about the ATV experience and zip-lining. Overall, Day 1 was a great start to the event.”

“Activities on the first day were fun, and got people together - good way to break the ice for new members.”

Day 2 | Sunday, March 2: Getting Down to Business

Muay Thai to “kick” start the day, followed by business-centric discussions

With "Focus" as the theme, the day was designed to give attendees the space and structure to share ideas, receive feedback, and sharpen both their business strategies and personal vision. Here’s what went down.

For those who wanted to kick off the day with movement, a Muay Thai class on the beach lawn set the tone. Some of the world’s top entrepreneurs swear by martial arts for its stress-relieving and mindset-strengthening benefits, and DC BLACK members got to experience that firsthand. 

After breakfast, we dove into business-focused group discussions. Attendees rotated through different breakout groups, sharing insights, roadblocks, and strategies. Attendees weren’t just talking about their businesses; they were fine-tuning them in real-time with feedback from people who get it.

“The biggest breakthrough…when you hire somebody, their vision for that department should be bigger than yours. Viewing the hiring process through that lens is already making a difference when I interviewed someone for a role today.”

“Was good to have several people dial into my real need to clean house being the main blocker vs tactical marketing or ops stuff.”

“I enjoyed meeting owners focused on wholesome marketing and product driven, as opposed to short term tactical direct marketing only.”

Discussions on personal goals, followed by a competitive cooking class

The afternoon shifted the lens from business challenges to personal growth. How do you balance ambition with family life? What does true freedom look like beyond financial success? With the same structured group rotation, attendees tackled the real questions behind their entrepreneurial journeys. 

The evening took us beyond the Marriott and into Phuket’s historic Old Town for a cooking class at Blue Elephant. In true DC BLACK style, it was an interactive, high-energy challenge where teams went head-to-head in mystery ingredient identification, knife skills, and plating competitions. Things definitely got heated, no pun intended.

Between the laughs, the friendly competition, and the mouthwatering Thai dishes, this experience reinforced what makes DC BLACK special—building bonds not just through business, but through shared experiences that create lasting connections.

Day 3 | Monday, March 3: Reflections

Ice baths on the beach, talks on mindfulness, and a sunset catamaran ride to close out our time together

After two high-energy days of masterminding and adventure, the final day in Phuket was all about slowing down, processing insights, and taking in the last moments together. The theme of the day was "Reflections"—a chance to solidify learnings, recharge, and enjoy a more relaxed pace before heading home.

The morning began with an optional beachside mindfulness session, incorporating breathwork, gentle stretching, and guided meditation. The session ended with a structured ice bath experience, where members embraced the challenge of cold immersion, focusing on breath control and mental clarity.

We gathered for a relaxed brunch with a special guest speaker who led a conversation on mindfulness, balance, and fulfillment—how to apply these principles to entrepreneurship and high-performance lifestyles.

The final adventure was equal parts stunning and memorable—a sunset catamaran ride along Phuket’s coastline. Anchoring in a scenic bay, members had the chance to paddleboard, enjoy refreshments, and soak in the views. Back at the Marriott, the closing dinner brought one last opportunity to share ideas, future plans, and newfound connections.

“Had a great time. Good balance between activities, sessions & general space for casual conversations. Food was great! Plenty of clean options / meat (protein! 😉) Overall, best DC BLACK event I've been to. Leaving with a big motivation boost.” - Mike Brown

“All in all I really enjoyed the event and the people and looking forward to the next one.” - Itamar Marani

“After years of mastermind / business trips this one was my favourite! Good group of cool people doing cool shit, great activities and masterminding.” - Justin Brown

Next on the DC BLACK calendar: Barcelona, July 29-31

Apply to join DC BLACK so you can get your ticket, plus access to facilitated masterminds, an exclusive WhatsApp group with other 7+ figure founders, virtual sessions on relevant business topics, book clubs with author Q&As, and more!