About Us

Bend of Ivy Lodge is located in Marshall, North Carolina, 20 minutes north of Asheville and is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With over 38-acres of private land, the Lodge is a former tobacco barn that has been beautifully converted and updated into the heart of Bend of Ivy. We have expansive gardens and breathtaking mountain views. 

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Bend of Ivy (BOI), a nature-focused retreat center, is co-owned and managed by Susan Walters. Co-owner is Alan Minker.  BOI is part of Intentional Growth LLC (IG), Susan and Alan's company. IG's purpose is stewarding and supporting the intentional growth of people, planet and purposes.

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Bend of Ivy was founded in 1996 by Doug and Walker Silsbee with the idea of becoming a one-of-a-kind retreat center in the mountains of Appalachia. More of the BOI history is here.

 

In 2014, Alan and Susan became the new stewards and owners of Bend of Ivy, honoring the Silsbee legacy and creating new visions for BOI. BOI rented the property for public and private retreats, as well as Susan's coaching, enneagram and wellness retreats and programs. Here's info on Susan's coaching and life transition programs and services.