197: The Dock Diving Weekend That Almost Wasn't (And How It Became Better Than Ever)

What happens when an 8-year partnership suddenly explodes and threatens your biggest community event just months before it's supposed to happen?! Meet Kim Loper, owner of Harbor Pet and creator of Life is Gruff sustainable dog treats, who faced exactly this nightmare scenario with her beloved North Fork Dock Diving Weekend - now in its 10th year. She chose to fight back - and the results were incredible. This episode is about: 🎯 How Kim pivoted from private venue to public space in just 6 weeks 🎯 The sponsorship strategy that raised $14,000  🎯 Building a volunteer committee that ACTUALLY works  🎯 The insurance, logistics, and vendor coordination that makes events successful But this isn't JUST about event planning - it's about knowing your worth, protecting your interests, and what happens when you let things slide for too long in business partnerships. Kim's hard-won lessons apply whether you're planning your first community event, dealing with difficult partners, or wondering how to build deeper community connections through your pet business. Transcript Show Notes