For Dr. Vikki, launching the organization is an invitation for women to redefine success by making space for themselves without guilt. (Photo: Rest and Re-create)

For generations, many women, particularly Black women, have carried the weight of family, careers, caregiving, and community while placing their own well-being at the bottom of the priority list. A new wellness organization founded by St. Petersburg native Dr. Vikki T. Gaskin-Butler is working to change that by creating intentional spaces where women can simply rest.

Rest and Re-create LLC officially launched this summer with a mission to help women reclaim rest, restoration, and personal transformation through coaching, retreats, workshops, speaking engagements, and corporate training. Co-founded by Dr. Vikki and Dr. Stephanie Z. Reed, the organization focuses on helping individuals and organizations reconnect with themselves and each other while promoting healthier, more sustainable lifestyles.

The launch comes at a time when conversations surrounding mental health, burnout, and self-care have become increasingly important. For many women, especially those balancing multiple roles, the pressure to constantly perform leaves little room for personal restoration.

"Rest isn't something we earn after everything else is done - it's something we deserve simply because we're human," said Dr. Vikki, founder of Rest and Re-create. "This organization exists to give women real tools, real community, and real permission to pause from daily overperformance and survival mode."

Rather than viewing rest as a luxury, the founders believe it is essential to overall wellness. Their programs are designed to help participants slow down, reconnect with themselves, and build supportive relationships with others navigating similar experiences.

Although much of the organization's work centers on Black women and women of color, Rest and Re-create also develops customized experiences for diverse communities, men, and organizations seeking wellness-focused programming. Each retreat and workshop is intentionally designed around the unique needs of its participants, creating environments where people feel safe enough to release stress and heal.

One of the organization's first major offerings is Stillness by the Shore: Rest and Reflect, a three-day wellness retreat scheduled for October 9–11, 2026, at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor. Set along Florida's Gulf Coast, the retreat invites Black women to temporarily step away from the demands of everyday life and embrace a weekend devoted entirely to rest, reflection, and self-care.

Participants can expect an intentionally curated atmosphere that encourages restoration while they connect with other women who understand their unique stressors. Registration for the inaugural retreat closes on September 1.

In addition to its retreat experiences, Rest and Re-create is launching Healing Conversations, a six-week virtual wellness experience created exclusively for women of African descent.

Meeting weekly online, the program combines elements of a support group and coaching experience to create what organizers describe as a confidential sanctuary for honest dialogue, personal growth, and authentic connection. Women are encouraged to share openly, reflect deeply, and build meaningful relationships in an environment grounded in trust.

The inaugural cohort will meet Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., beginning Aug. 11 and continuing through Sept. 15. To preserve the intimacy of the experience, enrollment was intentionally limited to just 8 to 10 participants, allowing every woman the opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported. Registration closed August 8.

The organization's approach reflects a growing movement that recognizes wellness as more than physical health. Emotional restoration, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for reflection are increasingly being viewed as essential components of living well.

By combining evidence-based coaching with community-centered experiences, Rest and Re-create hopes to equip women with practical tools they can carry into their everyday lives long after a retreat or workshop ends.

Instead of waiting until burnout forces a pause, Rest and Re-create encourages women to intentionally prioritize recuperation as a pathway to greater resilience, healthier relationships, and renewed purpose.